I’ve known these pieces for over a decade now. They bring great joy no matter what season. At the end of the Forlane in the Savall recording, there’s a transcendental “woosh.”. Thanks!
This is an absolutely beautiful piece, especially the sublime Sarabande and Forlane. Be sure also to listen to the Jordi Savall recording (on S.P.'s channel ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-RmdlIpZBuqs.html ). The interpretations are very different, but each wonderful in their own right. The Les Timbres recording here is warm and intimate, while the Concert des Nations recording goes for a more rigorous and powerful approach.
I would describe Savall as savage compared to this beautiful, charming rendition. Even if Savall’s rather crude approach had any merit whatsoever, certainly for this utterly subtle and understated music, he is inapt.
The "Sarabande" (07:33) is the climax of the beauty. I get emotional. Couperin was accompanied by an spirit when was written this movement. This beauty is supernatural, it is not an earthy one.
It's equivalent to modern day E minor. The practice at the time was to write the key signature accidentals on all octaves. (Also accidentals carried through reiterations of the same note, even across barlines, rather than through the measure.)
