French music in the reign of Louis XIV (1643-1715)
Start date
8 July 2011
Venue
Madingley Hall
End date
10 July 2011
Madingley
Cambridge
Tutor
Dr David Ponsford
Director of Public Programmes
and Professional Studies:
For further information on this
course, please contact
To book
Course code
1011NRX179
Dr Ian Baxter
Linda Fisher, Academic Programme Manager on 01223 746218
Sandy Haylock, Administrative Secretary on 01223 746227
See: www.ice.cam.ac.uk or telephone 01223 746262
Tutor biography
Dr David Ponsford MA, PhD, FRCO, ARCM is both a scholar and a professional organist, harpsichordist
and conductor, and is an authority on keyboard music of the 17th and 18th centuries. An exhibitioner at
Emmanuel College, Cambridge, he studied organ with Peter Hurford, Lionel Rogg and Piet Kee, and with
Kenneth Gilbert and Gustav Leonhardt. He was awarded a PhD at Cardiff University where he is now
Associate Lecturer in Performance Practice as well as Conductor of Cardiff University Chamber Orchestra
and the University Choir, as well as teaching organ and harpsichord at Bristol University. He has recorded
for ASV, Gaudeamus, Hyperion, Riverrun, NPC and Guild, and in 2004 was awarded a Leverhulme
Research Fellowship. His edition of Biber’s Mystery Sonatas was published by Ut Orpheus, Bologna, in
2007, and his book ‘French Organ music in the Reign of Louis XIV’ is being published by Cambridge
University Press this year. In teaching and performing, he aims to combine executant skill with intellectual
understanding, to bring the music alive with authority and meaning.
University of Cambridge Institute of Continuing Education, Madingley Hall, Cambridge, CB23 8AQ
www.ice.cam.ac.uk
Course Programme
Friday 8 July 2011
Please plan to arrive between 4:30 and 6:30. You can meet other course members in the bar which
opens at 6:15. Tea and Coffee making facilities are available in the study bedrooms.
7.15 pm
Dinner
8.30 pm – 10.00 pm
Paris and Versailles: the institutions and organisations; Musique de
Chambre, Musique de la Chapelle, Musique pour la Grande Ecurie.
10.00 pm
Terrace bar open for informal discussion
Saturday 9 July 2011
8.00 am
Breakfast
9.00 am – 10.30 am
Italian influences in Paris; Francois Couperin and the fusion of musical
styles. Performance practices including notes inégales.
10.30 am
Coffee
11.00 am – 12.30 pm
Couperin’s chamber music. Marin Marais and the viole de gambe.
1.00 pm
Lunch
2.00 pm
Free
4.00 pm
Tea
4.30 pm – 6.00 pm
Piéces de clavecin: Louis Couperin, D’Anglebert, François Couperin
7.15 pm
Dinner
8.30 pm – 10.00 pm
Concert: ‘Music at the court of Louis XIV’.
Venue: Madingley Church
Helen Crown (baroque flute)
David Ponsford (harpsichord)
Music by Louis Couperin, De La Barre, Hotteterre, François Couperin
10.00 pm
Terrace bar open for informal discussion
Sunday 10 July 2011
8.00 am
Breakfast
9.00 am – 10.30 am
Sacred music: Michel Richard de Lalande and Marc-Antoine Charpentier
10.30 am
Coffee
11.00 am – 12.30 pm
The French Classical organ: its music and its influence on J. S. Bach.
1.00 pm
Lunch
The course will disperse after lunch
Course syllabus
Aims:



To gain an insight into the extraordinary and multifarious musical genres that were cultivated
during the reign of Louis XIV.
To understand something of French styles, performance practices and the influence of Italian
music during the period.
To appreciate the qualities and characteristics of composers such as Louis Couperin,
François Couperin, Lalande, Charpentier, Marais and de Grigny.
Content:
Through architecture, sculpture, painting, landscape gardening, as well as wars, Louis XIV was intent
on establishing hegemony in Europe. Music was included in this political programme, both in
publications and in performances. The music at Versailles was highly organised: Musique de
chambre, de la chapelle, and pour le grande écurie. We will study their organisation, functions, and
some of the music written for them. Repertory to be studied: chamber music by François Couperin Les nations, Les goûts reunïs, L’apthéoses de Lulli and Corelli. Also to be studied will be an analysis
of French style and performance practice, and the glorious harpsichord music by Louis Couperin,
D’Anglebert and François Couperin. Sacred music by Lalande and Charpentier written for St Louis
and the chapelle royale will be discussed and played, as well as the organ music for the important
Parisian churches and the Cathedrals of Reims and Rouen. Also to be considered will be the
influence of Parisian musical publications in the rest of Europe, and particularly on J. S. Bach. The
course will include a recital of French music given by Helen Crown (Baroque flute) and David
Ponsford (harpsichord), containing works by Louis Couperin, Hotteterre, De La Barre and François
Couperin.
Presentation of the course:
1. Lectures introducing the various topics and particular works
2. Listening to CD recordings
3. Analysis of scores
4. Class discussion
5. A live concert of harpsichord and flute music
Outcomes:
As a result of the course, within the constraints of the time available, students should be able
to:
1. Know about the musical institutions and organisation of music at Versailles.
2. Know about French Baroque organ, harpsichord, chamber and sacred music repertories.
3. Understand French performance practices, in particular notes inégales.
4. Understand the influence of Italian music in Paris, and the use of these styles in François Couperin’s
chamber and organ music.
5. Appreciate the scope, breadth, as well as the refined styles of French Baroque music.
Reading and resources list
Listed below are a number of texts that might be of interest for future reference, but do not need to be
bought (or consulted) for the course.
Author
Title
Publisher and date
Anthony, James R.
French Baroque Music
Amadeus Press, 1997
Tunley, David
François Couperin and ‘The perfection of
Music’
Ashgate, 2004
Ponsford, David
French organ music in the reign of Louis XIV
Cambridge University
Press, 2011
Note Students of the Institute of Continuing Education are entitled to 20% discount on books
published by Cambridge University Press (CUP) which are purchased at the Press bookshop, 1
Trinity Street, Cambridge (Mon-Sat 9am – 5:30pm, Sun 11am – 5pm). A letter or email confirming
acceptance on to a current Institute course should be taken as evidence of enrolment.
Information correct as of May 2011