Francois Couperin (1668-1733)
A member of the famous French family of musicians, was known as Couperin
le Grand, because of his enormous skill as an organist. His
religious compositions, mainly for the organ, constitute a large part of
his works. His most numerous and renowned compositions, however,
are those instrumental works written for the harpsichord
during the last part of his life. The main ordres or suites
for clavecin consist of dances that are often programmatic.
He also wrote "L'Art de toucher le clavecin" (The
Art of Playing the Clavecin), which was of great importance in its
description of the manner and style of playing the keyboard literature
of the 17th and 18th century.