François Couperin: Mass for Parish Services, Mass for Convent Services / Marie-Claire Alain

A similar work by Nicolas de Grigny is said to have influenced Johann Sebastian Bach’s German organ masses, along with Couperin’s work. French organ music has a distinctive character. Two of these are the detailed organ stops specified in the score, and the use of reed type stops in many of the organ stops. Two recordings of Couperin’s organ masses have been made by Marie-Claire Alain: the 2002 recording, “Mass for the Parish,” reproduces the actual liturgy.The vocal mass is interspersed between the organ music. The 2006 recording contains both the “Mass for Parish” and “Mass for the Convents,” performed only on the organ. #baroque #couperin #片山俊幸