Louis Couperin, uncle of François Couperin le grand, inherited musical ability and interests from his father. His serenading – with his two brothers, François and Charles – of Chambonnières, at the Chambonnières property (not far from Chaume, where the Couperins had settled) led, it is said, to wider recognition in Paris, where Louis Couperin became organist at St Gervais. He later refused the royal position of joueur d’espinette (harpsichordist), from which Chambonnières was to be dismissed. His brothers seem to have left no compositions, although he was succeeded at St Gervais, on his death in 1661, by his youngest brother, Charles (father of Couperin le grand).

Harpsichord Music

Louis Couperin’s keyboard music, an important element in the French claveciniste (keyboard) tradition, consists of preludes and dance movements, with versets, fugues and other works for organ. He wrote a number of harpsichord pieces in the usual forms of his day – preludes, allemandes, courantes, sarabandes and gigues, chaconnes, passacailles and other dance-forms – as well as variations on the music of other composers.

Organ Music

Louis Couperin’s organ compositions include a number of fantaisies (fugues) and plainsong versets in a traditional French form, designed for liturgical use. There are six division basses, a varied bass-line, for trompette or cromorne stops, with harmonic accompaniment in the upper parts. His two carillons imitate the sound of the bells of St Gervais.