Gervais François Couperin (1759-1826): Offertoire - Nicolas Gorenstein, Organist

Offertoire · Gervais-François Couperin, Composer · Nicolas Gorenstein, Organist

Les organistes post-classiques parisiens

℗ Syrius

Released on: 2012-11-17

Mr. Gorenstein plays the organs in Saint-Maximin du Var, Saint-Rémy de Provence, Albi, Luçon.

Gervais-François Couperin (May 22, 1759-March 11, 1826) was a representative of the famous Couperin family of composers and organists. He studied with his father Armand-Louis Couperin. In 1789, Gervais-François replaced his father at the Sainte-Chapelle organ. Gervais-François succeeded his brother Pierre-Louis Couperin at Notre-Dame de Paris, a position he held until the Revolution. He was later an organist at St-Gervais-et-St-Protais and Saint-Merri (1818–1826). He married Hélène Thérèse Frey, a singer, with whom he had a daughter, Céleste Thérèse (1793–1860), who succeeded him briefly as the organist at St-Gervais-et-St-Protais. She became the last member of the Couperin musical dynasty. Gervais-François Couperin died in Paris on 11 March 1826 at the age of 66.

G.-Fr. Couperin (1759 † 1826) is the last figure of the famous dynasty of the Couperins. This volume is a discovery, as it presents for the first time in the world the organ works that Couperin left in manuscripts. Organist of Notre-Dame of Paris until the Revolution, and of Saint-Gervais until his death, for us Couperin is an unique and fascinating case. On one hand he represents a perfect example of the very peculiar art of the French post-classical organ. On the other hand his manuscripts were not intended to be published, but on the contrary were conceived for his private use ; that is to say they show plenty of informations about the secrets and personal processes of their author. (Liner Notes)