Volume 1
The first volume in this completely remastered set of reissues is devoted to the five Ordres comprising Book One, performed here on a sumptuous 1624 harpsichord by Johannes Ruckers.
Christophe Rousset’s Couperin cycle is available in digital formats for the first time.
Performed on several splendid instruments, these indispensable recordings, made in the 1980s and 1990s, quickly achieved reference status upon their release. Partnered by William Christie and Blandine Rannou in the pieces for two harpsichords, Christophe Rousset brings abundant virtuosity, poetry, fantasy and colour to this landmark cycle in French harpsichord music.
Volume 2
For this second volume, comprising the seven Ordres of Book Two, Christophe Rousset chose a 1671 Couchet-Taskin harpsichord that sounds quite magical here. Also notable is the Allemande for two harpsichords from the Ninth Ordre, for which he was joined by William Christie — a world-class duo indeed!
Volume 3
This third volume, naturally devoted to Book Three, also gives us a chance to hear the wonderful Blandine Rannou, performing alongside Christophe Rousset in the pieces for two harpsichords.
Volume 4
In Couperin’s fourth and last book of harpsichord pieces as his focus, Christophe Rousset played on a sublime instrument by Johannes Ruckers dating from 1632.
Volume 5
Originally coupled with the recordings of Book Two and Book Three respectively, both the didactic collection L’Art de toucher le clavecin and the celebrated Concerts royaux (with Blandine Rannou in the pieces for two harpsichords) wholly warranted a separate reissue. These highly personal, flamboyant, colourful and unfailingly poetic readings benefit from a remastering that does full justice to the splendid instruments chosen by the performers.
Volume 6
In 1987, William Christie and Christophe Rousset decided to join forces to record François Couperin’s pieces for two harpsichords, including the famous ‘Apothéoses’ (Apothéose de Lulli and Apothéose de Corelli). A sumptuous remastering allows us to rediscover this legendary recording in all its glory.