François Le Grand Couperin

Couperin, François Le Grand (1668–1733), French composer, organist, and harpsichordist, of a family of musicians that included Louis Couperin (1626–61), his uncle. He acted as teacher to King Louis XIV's children, and often exhibited his skill on the harpsichord before the royal court at Versailles. His compositions include 27 suites for harpsichord that make up the Pieces de clavecin, as well as church and chamber works. Students of the harpsichord still employ his instruction manual, L'art de toucher le clavecin.