Worthy continuation

In 2016, Denis Herlin published a new edition of the four books by François Couperin's Pièces de Clavecin started. Now the Second livre (1717), which he published on the basis of the latest source finds and research results and with the same care as the first book (see my review in the SMZ 6/2017, p. 19) has edited. The volume also rightly contains the Huit Préludes and the single Allemande from Couperin's textbook L'Art de toucher le Clavecin (1716/1717), as, beyond the chronological proximity of the two prints, there are some cross-references between them.

Here too, the manuscript tradition, the many reprints and new editions as well as the contemporary arrangements have been fully taken into account. The Preface and Critical Report provide information not only on all available sources and passages worthy of discussion, but also on the history of composition, some work titles, suitable instruments and practical performance problems. In addition, the editor has followed the page layout of the original print, which helps to avoid (impractical) turning points as far as possible, but in the smaller format of the new edition occasionally leads to a score in which everything appears to be reproduced in small print. Anyone who is willing to put their eyes through this is strongly encouraged to buy this edition; those who are not should at least look at it for the English and French texts (Critical Commentary only in English).

François Couperin: Pièces de Clavecin. Second livre (1717) with 8 Préludes and 1 Allemande from "L'Art de toucher le Clavecin" (1716/1717), edited by Denis Herlin, BA 10845, € 46.95, Bärenreiter, Kassel 2018