Louis Couperin, Suite in A Minor

The Couperin family formed a Parisian dynasty from the late 16th century through the mid-19th.

Louis Couperin (1626-1661) was the third son of Charles (1595-1654) and the oldest to reach adulthood. His two younger brothers gained prominence as well: François (1631-after 1708) and Charles (1638-1679). The latter would father the most notable family member, François le grand (1668-1733). The family had a strong association with the church of Saint Gervais. Louis was the first member of the Couperin family to hold the position of organist at that church. Other members of the family would continue to hold the post for an uninterrupted period of 173 years.

Couperin published none of his works during his lifetime. The 1690 Bauyn Manuscript, however, contains 122 of his harpsichord works and is the single most important source for his works. It also includes numerous works by Chambonnières, Froberger, and others. The manuscript does not include any specification by Couperin of what works would comprise a particular suite. Instead, one finds multiple courantes, allemandes, sarabands, etc. grouped according to key. Consequently, if you search for a performance of his “Suite in A minor,” you will find that performers have selected different works from among those in A minor.

This suite begins with one of Couperin’s unmeasured preludes. These are written entirely in whole notes with long, flowing lines indicating which notes are to be held. See the image attached. The notation is sparse and requires considerable improvisation by the performer.