L'Art De Toucher Le Clavecin. The Art of Playing the Harpsichord (French and English Edition) [Paperback]

Francois Couperin (Author), Margery Halford (Editor, Translator)

Book Description

Publication Date: June 1, 1974

An important 18th-century instruction book, Couperin's The Art of Playing the Harpsichord contains valuable information on technique, fingering, phrasing, ornamentation and keyboard performance style. Halford's scholarly introduction includes a biographical sketch of the composer, a thorough discussion of French Baroque ornamentation and a useful summary of Couperin's style. The eight preludes used by Couperin to illustrate his approach are musical gems rarely found in other collections.

Product Details

• Paperback: 84 pages
• Publisher: Alfred Music (June 1, 1974)
• Language: French, English
• ISBN-10: 0739007602
• ISBN-13: 978-0739007600
• Product Dimensions: 11.7 x 8.8 x 0.3 inches
• Shipping Weight: 10.4 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #111,262 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #1 in Books > Arts & Photography > Music > Theory, Composition & Performance > Sheet Music & Scores > Composers > Couperin
  • #14 in Books > Arts & Photography > Music > Theory, Composition & Performance > Sheet Music & Scores > Historical Period > Baroque

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

23 of 23 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars A must for the beginning self-teaching harpsichordist August 16, 2008

By Leonard J. Loomis

Amazon Verified Purchase

After years of choral and organ training and experience, I'm teaching myself to play the harpsichord (a modern, brand new to the market Roland digital). I began by building a library (mostly free, I hoped initially) via good professor Google. During my research I found a 'true' copy of this Couperin work for free download. The file presented a series of huge obstacles to my understanding...not the least of which was its having been written in French. In addition, the terminology and concepts were Couperin's or from his time and I was clueless as to what he meant. This beautifully edited and produced book by Margery Halford lets Couperin speak to me. French and English text are side by side in a face large enough for these older eyes to read. Musical examples are in bold and gray so one can easily compare what was written with how it likely should be played. There are copious notes and editorial comments. Download the original if you'd just like to have it. But,I'd guess you will use this wonderful book as an important foundation to Couperin and the ideas he brought the world.

5.0 out of 5 stars good book to have February 11, 2013

By practical mom

Amazon Verified Purchase

clear and simple presentation as well as decent translation and editorial comments. Good book to keep in the music library