Music of Versailles
Encyclopedia
Music at the French court at Versailles
flourished during the time of Louis XIV
(1638–1715). Although Bernard de Bury
(1720–1785) lived after this monarch, the positions for musicians set up under the Sun King
would continue well into the eighteenth century. There were over 150 official musicians at the court. Music as an institution on a grand scale at Versailles was thus set in place before Bernard de Bury
was even born.
resided in Versailles
his entire life, and held various positions at the court. Many from his musical family also held court appointments. He studied music with his father, as well as with François Collin de Blamont (1690–1760), to whom he dedicated his Premier Livre de Pièces de Clavecin. De Bury
acquired the post of ordinaire de la chambre pour le clavecin (“king's chamber harpsichordist”) in 1741. De Bury
continued a long distinguished line of musicians who held this position, which had passes from Jacques-Champion Chambonnières (1601/2–1672) to Jean-Henri D'Anglebert
(1635–1691) to François Couperin
(1668–1733), to his daughter, Marguérite-Antoinette Couperin (1705–c. 1778), and then to Bernard de Bury
.
The publication date for Bernard de Bury
's Premier Livre de Pièces de Clavecin is not entirely certain. In his dedication, de Bury states that he was fifteen years old at the time the suites were written; this would place their composition in 1735 or 1736, since he would not reach his sixteenth birthday until well into the latter year. The publication was announced in the Mercure de France in January of 1737, leading one to believe that the suites were actually published late in 1736.
compositions preceded the publication of the harpsichord
suite
s by Bernard de Bury
, and he himself contributed to the legacy that would continue to be built throughout most of the century. He, like so many others, was influenced by François Couperin, as well as Jean-Philippe Rameau
, the two titans of French harpsichord
music of the eighteenth century. For example, most all of his movements are given titles, even when also identified as a dance movement (and even when the dance is not identified). In addition, ten times the popular form of a rondeau
is used (counting second rondeaux
and doubles
) Furthermore, frequent changes in texture can be seen, ornaments can be identified from the tables of Couperin and Rameau
, and notes inégales are appropriate, unless a movement is in Italian style. Examples of Italian influences can be seen in arpeggiated figures
, passage work, imitation
, circle of fifths
progressions, and occasional frequent modulations. In keeping with French aesthetic, most suite
s end with tender sublimity rather than with impressive virtuosity.
of Bernard de Bury
's Premier Livre de Pièces de Clavecin has “A” as its home key, movements being in either A major
or A minor
. In La Minerve, a character piece, de Bury
makes reference to the Roman goddess of wisdom and arts
. Sarabande, Les Regrets is followed by a gavotte
entitled Les graces Badines (“Graceful Triflers”). The title could be referring to "amorous badinage" or "amorous playfulness." La Tendre Agitation is a wonderfully inventive character piece in binary form
. A pair of rondeaux
, Le Plaidoyer de Cithere 1er Rondeau and 2e Rouneau, close out the first suite
. The title can be translated as “In Defense of [the Island of] Cythera.” These movements, along with La Citherée from the second suite
as well as François Couperin's Les Pélerines, all make reference to this island birthplace of Venus
which was a special place for lovers. In addition, artist Jean-Antoine Watteau (1684–1721) produced two paintings on the same subject. This movement is one of a number marked Gracieusement sans lenteur (“gracefully, not too slowly”). Gracieusement implies the freedom to change the beat, or to apply rubato in accordance with the affekt.
, with only the first rondeau
of La Citherée being in C major
. La belle Brune (“The Pretty Brunette”) is followed by the binary
Sarabande La Prude which is serious in tone and complex harmonically. L'Enfantine refers to a “child-like” manner, demonstrated by frequent shifts of range
. Both the first and second rondeaux
of La Citheré are unnamed gavotte
s. L'Enfantine and La Citheré are also marked Gracieusement.
are rondeaux
. They bookend this collection, with a paired set to open and a second paired set (plus doubles
for each) to close. Centering on “G”, seven of the eleven movements are in the minor mode
. Les Amusemens (“The Amusements”) could also be translated as “Entertainment”. Ornaments help provide forward motion to the opening cheerful syncopated rondeau theme
. We will never know to what or whom the*** in La *** ou les Sentimens (“The *** or the Sentiments” or “Feelings”) refers. The indication of Gracieusement adds further to the tender, expressive affekt of the movement. Typical of a sarabande
, this triple time slow, serious piece, with balanced phrases and complex harmonies, sometimes places an accent
on the second beat. The two movements entitled Ƶephir (the mythological West Wind of spring) and Flore (a reference to the mythological Goddess of Flowers
) are in the form of the popular French dance, the menuet
, the latter more dramatic and complex harmonically. La Pithonisse (“The Pythoness”) was the priestess presiding over the Oracle of Apollo
at Delphi
, located on Mount Parnassus
. It was commonly believed that the vapors rising from the ground induced the priestesses to deliver the oracles in a frenzied state. This intensity is conveyed in this central movement conceived on a grand scale. The 18th-century loure was a slow, virtuosic, noble, majestic dance. This binary form
Loure in 6/4 meter is characterized by many low-ranging thick chords. Also marked Gracieusement, paired La Séduisante (“The Seductress”) rondeaux are followed by paired cariations (Double du 1er Rondeau, Double du 2e Rondeau).
, with only the second movement and the middle section of the final movement in E minor
. La Brillante is certainly a “Brilliant" opening piece. Almost all of the first three sections (rondeau theme
and first two couplets) are written in the bright upper range of the harpsichord
, both staves
requiring treble clef. La Dampiere is a dramatic sarabande reminiscent of François Couperin's La Ténébreuse and La Raphaéle. La Michelon is a lively, joyful Italian giga
. La Jeunesse (“Youth”) is a menuet
. Chaconne is in E major
, but has an extended middle section in the parallel mode
of E minor
. The form is built of groups of four measures
which are immediately repeated for a total of eight in each unit. The chaconne in this collection comes a close second to one by Jacques Duphly
(1715–1789) as the longest single, continuous Piéce de clavecin of the seventeenth and eighteenth centuries.
Total Time: (77:45)
Times based upon recording by harpsichord performer, Ruta Bloomfield
(2009)
became the first person in recorded history to perform the Premier livre de pieces de clavecin outside of France since the eighteenth century.
Versailles
Versailles , a city renowned for its château, the Palace of Versailles, was the de facto capital of the kingdom of France for over a century, from 1682 to 1789. It is now a wealthy suburb of Paris and remains an important administrative and judicial centre...
flourished during the time of Louis XIV
Louis XIV of France
Louis XIV , known as Louis the Great or the Sun King , was a Bourbon monarch who ruled as King of France and Navarre. His reign, from 1643 to his death in 1715, began at the age of four and lasted seventy-two years, three months, and eighteen days...
(1638–1715). Although Bernard de Bury
Bernard de Bury
Bernard de Bury or Buri was a French musician and court composer of the late Baroque era.-Biography:...
(1720–1785) lived after this monarch, the positions for musicians set up under the Sun King
Louis XIV of France
Louis XIV , known as Louis the Great or the Sun King , was a Bourbon monarch who ruled as King of France and Navarre. His reign, from 1643 to his death in 1715, began at the age of four and lasted seventy-two years, three months, and eighteen days...
would continue well into the eighteenth century. There were over 150 official musicians at the court. Music as an institution on a grand scale at Versailles was thus set in place before Bernard de Bury
Bernard de Bury
Bernard de Bury or Buri was a French musician and court composer of the late Baroque era.-Biography:...
was even born.
History (Premiere Livre de Pièces de Clavecin)
Bernard de BuryBernard de Bury
Bernard de Bury or Buri was a French musician and court composer of the late Baroque era.-Biography:...
resided in Versailles
Versailles
Versailles , a city renowned for its château, the Palace of Versailles, was the de facto capital of the kingdom of France for over a century, from 1682 to 1789. It is now a wealthy suburb of Paris and remains an important administrative and judicial centre...
his entire life, and held various positions at the court. Many from his musical family also held court appointments. He studied music with his father, as well as with François Collin de Blamont (1690–1760), to whom he dedicated his Premier Livre de Pièces de Clavecin. De Bury
Bernard de Bury
Bernard de Bury or Buri was a French musician and court composer of the late Baroque era.-Biography:...
acquired the post of ordinaire de la chambre pour le clavecin (“king's chamber harpsichordist”) in 1741. De Bury
Bernard de Bury
Bernard de Bury or Buri was a French musician and court composer of the late Baroque era.-Biography:...
continued a long distinguished line of musicians who held this position, which had passes from Jacques-Champion Chambonnières (1601/2–1672) to Jean-Henri D'Anglebert
Jean-Henri d'Anglebert
Jean-Henri d'Anglebert was a French composer, harpsichordist and organist. He was one of the foremost keyboard composers of his day.-Life:...
(1635–1691) to François Couperin
François Couperin
François Couperin was a French Baroque composer, organist and harpsichordist. He was known as Couperin le Grand to distinguish him from other members of the musically talented Couperin family.-Life:Couperin was born in Paris...
(1668–1733), to his daughter, Marguérite-Antoinette Couperin (1705–c. 1778), and then to Bernard de Bury
Bernard de Bury
Bernard de Bury or Buri was a French musician and court composer of the late Baroque era.-Biography:...
.
The publication date for Bernard de Bury
Bernard de Bury
Bernard de Bury or Buri was a French musician and court composer of the late Baroque era.-Biography:...
's Premier Livre de Pièces de Clavecin is not entirely certain. In his dedication, de Bury states that he was fifteen years old at the time the suites were written; this would place their composition in 1735 or 1736, since he would not reach his sixteenth birthday until well into the latter year. The publication was announced in the Mercure de France in January of 1737, leading one to believe that the suites were actually published late in 1736.
Musical analysis
A long, rich tradition of French harpsichordHarpsichord
A harpsichord is a musical instrument played by means of a keyboard. It produces sound by plucking a string when a key is pressed.In the narrow sense, "harpsichord" designates only the large wing-shaped instruments in which the strings are perpendicular to the keyboard...
compositions preceded the publication of the harpsichord
Harpsichord
A harpsichord is a musical instrument played by means of a keyboard. It produces sound by plucking a string when a key is pressed.In the narrow sense, "harpsichord" designates only the large wing-shaped instruments in which the strings are perpendicular to the keyboard...
suite
Suite
In music, a suite is an ordered set of instrumental or orchestral pieces normally performed in a concert setting rather than as accompaniment; they may be extracts from an opera, ballet , or incidental music to a play or film , or they may be entirely original movements .In the...
s by Bernard de Bury
Bernard de Bury
Bernard de Bury or Buri was a French musician and court composer of the late Baroque era.-Biography:...
, and he himself contributed to the legacy that would continue to be built throughout most of the century. He, like so many others, was influenced by François Couperin, as well as Jean-Philippe Rameau
Jean-Philippe Rameau
Jean-Philippe Rameau was one of the most important French composers and music theorists of the Baroque era. He replaced Jean-Baptiste Lully as the dominant composer of French opera and is also considered the leading French composer for the harpsichord of his time, alongside François...
, the two titans of French harpsichord
Harpsichord
A harpsichord is a musical instrument played by means of a keyboard. It produces sound by plucking a string when a key is pressed.In the narrow sense, "harpsichord" designates only the large wing-shaped instruments in which the strings are perpendicular to the keyboard...
music of the eighteenth century. For example, most all of his movements are given titles, even when also identified as a dance movement (and even when the dance is not identified). In addition, ten times the popular form of a rondeau
Rondeau (music)
The rondeau was a Medieval and early Renaissance musical form, based on the contemporary popular poetic rondeau form. It is distinct from the 18th century rondo, though the terms are likely related...
is used (counting second rondeaux
Rondeau (music)
The rondeau was a Medieval and early Renaissance musical form, based on the contemporary popular poetic rondeau form. It is distinct from the 18th century rondo, though the terms are likely related...
and doubles
Double variation
The double variation is a musical form used in classical music. It is a type of theme and variations that employs two themes. In a double variation set, a first theme is followed by a second theme , followed by a variation on A, then a variation on B, and so on with alternating A and B...
) Furthermore, frequent changes in texture can be seen, ornaments can be identified from the tables of Couperin and Rameau
Jean-Philippe Rameau
Jean-Philippe Rameau was one of the most important French composers and music theorists of the Baroque era. He replaced Jean-Baptiste Lully as the dominant composer of French opera and is also considered the leading French composer for the harpsichord of his time, alongside François...
, and notes inégales are appropriate, unless a movement is in Italian style. Examples of Italian influences can be seen in arpeggiated figures
Arpeggio
An arpeggio is a musical technique where notes in a chord are played or sung in sequence, one after the other, rather than ringing out simultaneously...
, passage work, imitation
Imitation (music)
In music, imitation is when a melody in a polyphonic texture is repeated shortly after its first appearance in a different voice, usually at a different pitch. The melody may vary through transposition, inversion, or otherwise, but retain its original character...
, circle of fifths
Circle of fifths
In music theory, the circle of fifths shows the relationships among the 12 tones of the chromatic scale, their corresponding key signatures, and the associated major and minor keys...
progressions, and occasional frequent modulations. In keeping with French aesthetic, most suite
Suite
In music, a suite is an ordered set of instrumental or orchestral pieces normally performed in a concert setting rather than as accompaniment; they may be extracts from an opera, ballet , or incidental music to a play or film , or they may be entirely original movements .In the...
s end with tender sublimity rather than with impressive virtuosity.
Premiere suite
The first suiteSuite
In music, a suite is an ordered set of instrumental or orchestral pieces normally performed in a concert setting rather than as accompaniment; they may be extracts from an opera, ballet , or incidental music to a play or film , or they may be entirely original movements .In the...
of Bernard de Bury
Bernard de Bury
Bernard de Bury or Buri was a French musician and court composer of the late Baroque era.-Biography:...
's Premier Livre de Pièces de Clavecin has “A” as its home key, movements being in either A major
A major
A major is a major scale based on A, with the pitches A, B, C, D, E, F, and G. Its key signature has three sharps.Its relative minor is F-sharp minor and its parallel minor is A minor...
or A minor
A minor
A minor is a minor scale based on A, consisting of the pitches A, B, C, D, E, F, and G. The harmonic minor scale raises the G to G...
. In La Minerve, a character piece, de Bury
Bernard de Bury
Bernard de Bury or Buri was a French musician and court composer of the late Baroque era.-Biography:...
makes reference to the Roman goddess of wisdom and arts
Minerva
Minerva was the Roman goddess whom Romans from the 2nd century BC onwards equated with the Greek goddess Athena. She was the virgin goddess of poetry, medicine, wisdom, commerce, weaving, crafts, magic...
. Sarabande, Les Regrets is followed by a gavotte
Gavotte
The gavotte originated as a French folk dance, taking its name from the Gavot people of the Pays de Gap region of Dauphiné, where the dance originated. It is notated in 4/4 or 2/2 time and is of moderate tempo...
entitled Les graces Badines (“Graceful Triflers”). The title could be referring to "amorous badinage" or "amorous playfulness." La Tendre Agitation is a wonderfully inventive character piece in binary form
Binary form
Binary form is a musical form in two related sections, both of which are usually repeated. Binary is also a structure used to choreograph dance....
. A pair of rondeaux
Rondeau (music)
The rondeau was a Medieval and early Renaissance musical form, based on the contemporary popular poetic rondeau form. It is distinct from the 18th century rondo, though the terms are likely related...
, Le Plaidoyer de Cithere 1er Rondeau and 2e Rouneau, close out the first suite
Suite
In music, a suite is an ordered set of instrumental or orchestral pieces normally performed in a concert setting rather than as accompaniment; they may be extracts from an opera, ballet , or incidental music to a play or film , or they may be entirely original movements .In the...
. The title can be translated as “In Defense of [the Island of] Cythera.” These movements, along with La Citherée from the second suite
Suite
In music, a suite is an ordered set of instrumental or orchestral pieces normally performed in a concert setting rather than as accompaniment; they may be extracts from an opera, ballet , or incidental music to a play or film , or they may be entirely original movements .In the...
as well as François Couperin's Les Pélerines, all make reference to this island birthplace of Venus
Venus (mythology)
Venus is a Roman goddess principally associated with love, beauty, sex,sexual seduction and fertility, who played a key role in many Roman religious festivals and myths...
which was a special place for lovers. In addition, artist Jean-Antoine Watteau (1684–1721) produced two paintings on the same subject. This movement is one of a number marked Gracieusement sans lenteur (“gracefully, not too slowly”). Gracieusement implies the freedom to change the beat, or to apply rubato in accordance with the affekt.
Seconde suite
The second suite is in C minorC minor
C minor is a minor scale based on C, consisting of the pitches C, D, E, F, G, A, and B. The harmonic minor raises the B to B. Changes needed for the melodic and harmonic versions of the scale are written in with naturals and accidentals as necessary.Its key signature consists of three flats...
, with only the first rondeau
Rondeau (music)
The rondeau was a Medieval and early Renaissance musical form, based on the contemporary popular poetic rondeau form. It is distinct from the 18th century rondo, though the terms are likely related...
of La Citherée being in C major
C major
C major is a musical major scale based on C, with pitches C, D, E, F, G, A, and B. Its key signature has no flats/sharps.Its relative minor is A minor, and its parallel minor is C minor....
. La belle Brune (“The Pretty Brunette”) is followed by the binary
Binary form
Binary form is a musical form in two related sections, both of which are usually repeated. Binary is also a structure used to choreograph dance....
Sarabande La Prude which is serious in tone and complex harmonically. L'Enfantine refers to a “child-like” manner, demonstrated by frequent shifts of range
Range (music)
In music, the range of a musical instrument is the distance from the lowest to the highest pitch it can play. For a singing voice, the equivalent is vocal range...
. Both the first and second rondeaux
Rondeau (music)
The rondeau was a Medieval and early Renaissance musical form, based on the contemporary popular poetic rondeau form. It is distinct from the 18th century rondo, though the terms are likely related...
of La Citheré are unnamed gavotte
Gavotte
The gavotte originated as a French folk dance, taking its name from the Gavot people of the Pays de Gap region of Dauphiné, where the dance originated. It is notated in 4/4 or 2/2 time and is of moderate tempo...
s. L'Enfantine and La Citheré are also marked Gracieusement.
Troisième suite
Six of the eleven movements of this longest suiteSuite
In music, a suite is an ordered set of instrumental or orchestral pieces normally performed in a concert setting rather than as accompaniment; they may be extracts from an opera, ballet , or incidental music to a play or film , or they may be entirely original movements .In the...
are rondeaux
Rondeau (music)
The rondeau was a Medieval and early Renaissance musical form, based on the contemporary popular poetic rondeau form. It is distinct from the 18th century rondo, though the terms are likely related...
. They bookend this collection, with a paired set to open and a second paired set (plus doubles
Double variation
The double variation is a musical form used in classical music. It is a type of theme and variations that employs two themes. In a double variation set, a first theme is followed by a second theme , followed by a variation on A, then a variation on B, and so on with alternating A and B...
for each) to close. Centering on “G”, seven of the eleven movements are in the minor mode
Minor scale
A minor scale in Western music theory includes any scale that contains, in its tonic triad, at least three essential scale degrees: 1) the tonic , 2) a minor-third, or an interval of a minor third above the tonic, and 3) a perfect-fifth, or an interval of a perfect fifth above the tonic, altogether...
. Les Amusemens (“The Amusements”) could also be translated as “Entertainment”. Ornaments help provide forward motion to the opening cheerful syncopated rondeau theme
Rondeau (music)
The rondeau was a Medieval and early Renaissance musical form, based on the contemporary popular poetic rondeau form. It is distinct from the 18th century rondo, though the terms are likely related...
. We will never know to what or whom the
Sarabande
In music, the sarabande is a dance in triple metre. The second and third beats of each measure are often tied, giving the dance a distinctive rhythm of quarter notes and eighth notes in alternation...
, this triple time slow, serious piece, with balanced phrases and complex harmonies, sometimes places an accent
Accent (music)
In music, an accent is an emphasis placed on a particular note,either as a result of its context or specifically indicated by an accent mark.Accents contribute to the articulation and prosody of a performance of a musical phrase....
on the second beat. The two movements entitled Ƶephir (the mythological West Wind of spring) and Flore (a reference to the mythological Goddess of Flowers
Patalena
In Roman mythology and religion, Patelana or Patella was a minor deity or numen who protected the opening husks of grain. Augustine of Hippo refers to Patelana among a number of other grain gods in a passage of De Civitate Dei contrasting the multitude of Roman gods to the single God worshipped by...
) are in the form of the popular French dance, the menuet
Minuet
A minuet, also spelled menuet, is a social dance of French origin for two people, usually in 3/4 time. The word was adapted from Italian minuetto and French menuet, and may have been from French menu meaning slender, small, referring to the very small steps, or from the early 17th-century popular...
, the latter more dramatic and complex harmonically. La Pithonisse (“The Pythoness”) was the priestess presiding over the Oracle of Apollo
Pythia
The Pythia , commonly known as the Oracle of Delphi, was the priestess at the Temple of Apollo at Delphi, located on the slopes of Mount Parnassus. The Pythia was widely credited for her prophecies inspired by Apollo. The Delphic oracle was established in the 8th century BC...
at Delphi
Delphi
Delphi is both an archaeological site and a modern town in Greece on the south-western spur of Mount Parnassus in the valley of Phocis.In Greek mythology, Delphi was the site of the Delphic oracle, the most important oracle in the classical Greek world, and a major site for the worship of the god...
, located on Mount Parnassus
Mount Parnassus
Mount Parnassus, also Parnassos , is a mountain of limestone in central Greece that towers above Delphi, north of the Gulf of Corinth, and offers scenic views of the surrounding olive groves and countryside. According to Greek mythology, this mountain was sacred to Apollo and the Corycian nymphs,...
. It was commonly believed that the vapors rising from the ground induced the priestesses to deliver the oracles in a frenzied state. This intensity is conveyed in this central movement conceived on a grand scale. The 18th-century loure was a slow, virtuosic, noble, majestic dance. This binary form
Binary form
Binary form is a musical form in two related sections, both of which are usually repeated. Binary is also a structure used to choreograph dance....
Loure in 6/4 meter is characterized by many low-ranging thick chords. Also marked Gracieusement, paired La Séduisante (“The Seductress”) rondeaux are followed by paired cariations (Double du 1er Rondeau, Double du 2e Rondeau).
Quatrième suite
The final suite is mostly in E majorE major
E major is a major scale based on E, with the pitches E, F, G, A, B, C, and D. Its key signature has four sharps .Its relative minor is C-sharp minor, and its parallel minor is E minor....
, with only the second movement and the middle section of the final movement in E minor
E minor
E minor is a minor scale based on the note E. The E natural minor scale consists of the pitches E, F, G, A, B, C, and D. The E harmonic minor scale contains the natural 7, D, rather than the flatted 7, D – to align with the major dominant chord, B7 .Its key signature has one sharp, F .Its...
. La Brillante is certainly a “Brilliant" opening piece. Almost all of the first three sections (rondeau theme
Rondeau (music)
The rondeau was a Medieval and early Renaissance musical form, based on the contemporary popular poetic rondeau form. It is distinct from the 18th century rondo, though the terms are likely related...
and first two couplets) are written in the bright upper range of the harpsichord
Harpsichord
A harpsichord is a musical instrument played by means of a keyboard. It produces sound by plucking a string when a key is pressed.In the narrow sense, "harpsichord" designates only the large wing-shaped instruments in which the strings are perpendicular to the keyboard...
, both staves
Staff (music)
In standard Western musical notation, the staff, or stave, is a set of five horizontal lines and four spaces that each represent a different musical pitch—or, in the case of a percussion staff, different percussion instruments. Appropriate music symbols, depending upon the intended effect,...
requiring treble clef. La Dampiere is a dramatic sarabande reminiscent of François Couperin's La Ténébreuse and La Raphaéle. La Michelon is a lively, joyful Italian giga
Gigue
The gigue or giga is a lively baroque dance originating from the British jig. It was imported into France in the mid-17th century and usually appears at the end of a suite...
. La Jeunesse (“Youth”) is a menuet
Minuet
A minuet, also spelled menuet, is a social dance of French origin for two people, usually in 3/4 time. The word was adapted from Italian minuetto and French menuet, and may have been from French menu meaning slender, small, referring to the very small steps, or from the early 17th-century popular...
. Chaconne is in E major
E major
E major is a major scale based on E, with the pitches E, F, G, A, B, C, and D. Its key signature has four sharps .Its relative minor is C-sharp minor, and its parallel minor is E minor....
, but has an extended middle section in the parallel mode
Parallel key
In music, parallel keys are the major and minor scales that have the same tonic. A major and minor scale sharing the same tonic are said to be in a parallel relationship...
of E minor
E minor
E minor is a minor scale based on the note E. The E natural minor scale consists of the pitches E, F, G, A, B, C, and D. The E harmonic minor scale contains the natural 7, D, rather than the flatted 7, D – to align with the major dominant chord, B7 .Its key signature has one sharp, F .Its...
. The form is built of groups of four measures
Bar (music)
In musical notation, a bar is a segment of time defined by a given number of beats of a given duration. Typically, a piece consists of several bars of the same length, and in modern musical notation the number of beats in each bar is specified at the beginning of the score by the top number of a...
which are immediately repeated for a total of eight in each unit. The chaconne in this collection comes a close second to one by Jacques Duphly
Jacques Duphly
Jacques Duphly was a French harpsichordist and organist, and the composer of bright, lively, and attractive keyboard music.- Biography :...
(1715–1789) as the longest single, continuous Piéce de clavecin of the seventeenth and eighteenth centuries.
Album
- Premiere Suite
- La Minerve (3:19)
- Sarabande, Les Regrets (1:41)
- Les graces Badines (2:10)
- La Tendre Agitation (4:47)
- Le Plaidoyer de Cithere
- 1er Rondeau (2:48)
- 2e Rondeau (2:47)
- Seconde Suite
- La belle Brune (2:28)
- Sarabande La Prude (3:15)
- L'Enfantine (1:36)
- La Citherée
- 1er Rondeau (2:25)
- 2e Rondeau (2:22)
- Troisiéme Suite
- Les Amusemens
- 1er Rondeau (2:24)
- 2e Rondeau (2:27)
- Sarabande La
*** ou les Sentimens (2:51) - Ƶephir – 1er Menuet (0:54)
- Flore – 2e Menuet (1:39)
- La Pithonisse (6:32)
- Loure (4:33)
- La Séduisante
- 1er Rondeau (1:55)
- 2e Rondeau (2:00)
- Double du 1er Rondeau (2:04)
- Double du 2e Rondeau (2:07)
- Les Amusemens
- Quatriéme Suite
- La Brillante (2:06)
- La Dampiere (4:20)
- La Michelon (1:25)
- La Jeunesse (1:49)
- Chaconne (9:00)
Total Time: (77:45)
Times based upon recording by harpsichord performer, Ruta Bloomfield
Ruta Bloomfield
Dr. Ruta Bloomfield received the degree of Doctor of Musical Arts in Historical Performance practices at Claremont Graduate University in 2008, where she studied harpsichord with Robert Zappulla. She has taught at the Master's College for two decades...
(2009)
Performances
On 19 February 2009, Dr. Ruta BloomfieldRuta Bloomfield
Dr. Ruta Bloomfield received the degree of Doctor of Musical Arts in Historical Performance practices at Claremont Graduate University in 2008, where she studied harpsichord with Robert Zappulla. She has taught at the Master's College for two decades...
became the first person in recorded history to perform the Premier livre de pieces de clavecin outside of France since the eighteenth century.