By François Couperin
Edited by Margery Halford\Series: Alfred Masterwork Edition
Category: Piano Collection
Format: Book
Instrument: Piano
Level: Intermediate / Early Advanced

An important 18th-century instruction book, Couperin's The Art of Playing the Harpsichord contains valuable information on technique, fingering, phrasing, ornamentation and keyboard performance style. Halford's scholarly introduction includes a biographical sketch of the composer, a thorough discussion of French Baroque ornamentation and a useful summary of Couperin's style. The eight preludes used by Couperin to illustrate his approach are musical gems rarely found in other collections.