Livre de Tablature de Clavescin de Monsieur de Druent, Écrit par Couperin

Unearthed in 1997 from a private Italian collection, the Livre de tablature de clavescin de Monsieur de Druent, écrit par Couperin, offers a rare glimpse into the French harpsichord tradition at the close of the seventeenth century. Copied entirely by Marc Roger Normand Couperin, cousin of the renowned François Couperin ‘Le Grand’ and known at the Turin court as ‘Coperino’, this manuscript is a testament to a vibrant musical era.

Comprising 58 pieces, the collection features works by prominent composers such as Chambonnières, D’Anglebert, Lebègue, and Hardel, alongside original compositions and arrangements by Normand, Militon and members of the La Pierre family. Notably, it includes several transcriptions of Jean-Baptiste Lully’s orchestral pieces, reflecting the widespread influence of Lully’s music beyond the stage.

This first-ever edition, prepared by David Chung, presents the manuscript in its entirety, offering scholars and performers alike an invaluable resource for exploring the nuances of French baroque keyboard music. The Livre de tablature not only enriches our understanding of the Couperin family’s musical legacy but also illuminates the broader stylistic currents that shaped the harpsichord repertoire of the time.