Talk:Louis Couperin

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This article was automatically assessed because at least one article was rated and this bot brought all the other ratings up to at least that level. BetacommandBot 07:14, 27 August 2007 (UTC)

10-year career, ergo posthumous publication?

It is not clear what is intended by the sentence "Because his career spanned only some 10 years, none of Couperin's works were published during his lifetime." Can this be clarified? Wakablogger2 (talk) 05:01, 18 September 2010 (UTC)

French composers of the time usually only started publishing their music late in life. You had to be an established composer, you had to be able to afford it, you had to get the King's permission, and so on. There were other considerations, too: for example, numerous composers (not only in France) refused to publish their music to make sure they remain employed—publishing your work could produce countless imitators, make your art less unique and so less valuable. Furthermore, in France until 1660 just a single firm had the permission to print music, and if you distrusted them for whatever reason, you had to do it yourself (very expensive). Taking all this into account, there's no surprise most French composers of the time published little and mostly when they were suffiicently established: D'Anglebert produced his only collection at 60, Lebègue started publishing his work when he was around 45, Chambonnières when he was around 70, Gigault when he was past 50, and so on. Things only started changing in the second half of the century.

As to how to clarify this without dedicating a whole paragraph to music publishing in mid-17th century France, I have no idea. A link to History of music publishing or Music engraving would've helped if those article weren't as bad as they are. --Jashiin (talk) 12:00, 18 September 2010 (UTC)

That does clarify the intention of the sentence. If he had started when he was twenty years old, for example, it would not apply, but with your kind explanation, it's clear what is meant.. Wakablogger2 (talk) 22:04, 19 September 2010 (UTC)

I just want to say thanks for supplying links to free public domain scores - it's a nightmare trying to find scores for L. Couperin's music. Unfortunate, given the quality of his music.... 71.23.61.60 (talk) —Preceding undated comment added 20:44, 27 December 2010 (UTC).