Louis Couperin

Louis Couperin (ca. 1626-1661) was the eldest and first of the Couperin family of musicians and composers that held the post of organist at St. Gervais in Paris from 1653 until 1826. None of Couperin's music was published during his lifetime, but in the latter part of the twentieth century his organ works were rediscovered and his Pièces de Clavicin were published. His music consists of meticulous contrapuntal works and energetic, often complex, dance pieces. Although he also played the viola da gamba, there is only a handful of non-keyboard instrumental music by Couperin surviving.