François Couperin published four books of pieces for the clavecin (or harpsichord) in his lifetime, and though the compositions are organized into suites, they were clearly meant to be heard independently. This collection samples some of the best, miniatures that provide musical snapshots of another era. Often Couperin’s titling is mysterious. Why, for instance, call a lovely lute-like piece “The Mysterious Barricades”, or an obvious lullaby “The Dodo, or love in a cradle”? It is a case of a rose by any other name, for the music is effective in capturing a particular mood or feeling no matter what you call it. The Dodo is a lullaby; The Afflicted Soul makes one instantly sad; and The Chimes of Cythera evokes bell sounds. Couperin’s music is so descriptive that we know these things before ever reading a title. This is a release in the new series of re-issue recordings personally selected by Seymour Solomon, the original producer. It is no wonder he is proud of this 1959 recording. Anton Heiller plays with virtuoso flair and élan, and the recorded sound is very realistic–so much so that the microphones have picked up what sounds like trucks or transit vehicles in the background of a few tracks.
