Michel Corrette (1707-1795) was born in a musical family, his father was organist, his grandfather dancing master. He was a famous composer, teacher and organist, his long lifetime seeing the cultural change from the Baroque to the Classical era.The album contains suites of dances and character pieces in the French manner, following the model established by Francois Couperin and Jean-Philippe Rameau. Typical movements include allemandes, courantes, sarabandes, and gigues, alongside more descriptive works with evocative titles. These pieces reflect the French fondness for portraying moods, personalities, or even humorous caricatures through music. At the same time, Corrette demonstrates a flair for lively rhythms and bright textures that hint at the Italianate energy fashionable in Paris during the 1730s.Unlike Couperin, who sought refinement and subtle elegance, Corrette often favored a more direct and accessible style. His Premier livre was intended not only for professional musicians but also for skilled amateurs, aligning with his lifelong mission to make music approachable. Historically, the collection occupies an interesting position: it came at a moment when the harpsichord was at the height of it’s prestige in France but just before the emerging galant style began to dominate keyboard writing. As such, Corrette’s first book of harpsichord pieces serves as both a continuation of the French clavecin tradition and an early sign of stylistic transition. Today, it stands as a testament to Corrette’s versatility and his role in bridging established Baroque forms with the new musical aesthetics of the mid-18th century.Agustin Alvarez, trained in the Caracas Conservatory and the Royal Superior Music Conservatory of Madrid, studied harpsichord and basso continuo with Tony Millan. He has received lessons from great maestros such as Christophe Rousset, Elisabeth Joye, Jacques Ogg, Guido Morini, Luc Beausejour, Beatrice Martin, Enrico Baiano and Nicolau de Figueiredo.He has recorded for Brilliant Classics 11 suites for solo harpsichord by Nicolas Lebegue wich received excellent reviews: “impeccable interpretation, exquisite harpsichordist” Ritmo magazine, “of the highest interpretations, very elegant, technically impeccable, with great knowledge of style” Scherzo magazine.

Tracklist:

1. Premier Livre, Pices de Clavecin, Op. 12-Premiere Suite. Prlude
2. Premier Livre, Pices de Clavecin, Op. 12-Premiere Suite. Les Giboules de Mars
3. Premier Livre, Pices de Clavecin, Op. 12-Premiere Suite. Les Jumelles. Rondeau I/Ii Gracieusement Sans Lenteur
4. Premier Livre, Pices de Clavecin, Op. 12-Premiere Suite. Les Amants Enchants. Tendrement
5. Premier Livre, Pices de Clavecin, Op. 12-Premiere Suite. Feste Sauvage. Tambourin I/Ii
6. Premier Livre, Pices de Clavecin, Op. 12-Premiere Suite. La Babillarde. Lgrement
7. Premier Livre, Pices de Clavecin, Op. 12-Premiere Suite. Le Courier. Lgrement
8. Premier Livre, Pices de Clavecin, Op. 12-Deuxieme Suite. Le Grondeur. Allemande
9. Premier Livre, Pices de Clavecin, Op. 12-Deuxieme Suite. Badine
10. Premier Livre, Pices de Clavecin, Op. 12-Deuxieme Suite. Les Ides Heureuses. Rondeau Gracieusement
11. Premier Livre, Pices de Clavecin, Op. 12-Deuxieme Suite. Feste Milannoise: La Tromphante I/I
12. Premier Livre, Pices de Clavecin, Op. 12-Deuxieme Suite. Bal. Menuet I/Ii/Iii
13. Premier Livre, Pices de Clavecin, Op. 12-Troisieme Suite. Prlude
14. Premier Livre, Pices de Clavecin, Op. 12-Troisieme Suite. L’herone. Allemande
15. Premier Livre, Pices de Clavecin, Op. 12-Troisieme Suite. La Dgourdie Et Cinq Doubles
16. Premier Livre, Pices de Clavecin, Op. 12-Troisieme Suite. Les Botes de Sept Lieues. Vivement
17. Premier Livre, Pices de Clavecin, Op. 12-Troisieme Suite. Les toiles. Rondeau. LGE Rement Et Modrment
18. Premier Livre, Pices de Clavecin, Op. 12-Quatrieme Suite. Les Fanatiques
19. Premier Livre, Pices de Clavecin, Op. 12-Quatrieme Suite. Sarabande
20. Premier Livre, Pices de Clavecin, Op. 12-Quatrieme Suite. La Prise de Jricho. Vivement

UPC: 5063758970969
Label: Brilliant Classics
Release Date: 2.27.26
Format: CD