Francois d’Agincour (1684-1758) was a French composer, organist, and harpsichordist. Though overshadowed by contemporaries such as Francois Couperin and Jean-Philippe Rameau his surviving keyboard works offer a fascinating glimpse into the refined and ornate French classical organ tradition of the early 18th century.D’Agincour served as organist at the Rouen Cathedral for over 40 years and held royal positions as well, which afforded him access to France’s finest instruments and a cultured musical environment. His sole surviving organ collection, Premier livre d’orgue (1733), contains a series of pieces organized into suites according to church modes, consistent with the liturgical practices of the time. Each suite contains various movements – including Plein jeux, Fugues, Recits, and Dialogues – that correspond to specific parts of the Catholic mass.His music reflects the elegance and clarity characteristic of the French classical organ school, with it’s emphasis on ornamentation, color, and registration. D’Agincour skillfully exploits the tonal possibilities of the French classical organ, composing pieces that call for distinctive solo stops such as the Cromorne, Tierce, and Cornet. While structurally conservative, his music reveals a personal voice marked by harmonic finesse, rhythmic vitality, and melodic inventiveness.Though his output is modest compared to others, d’Agincour’s organ works exemplify the culmination of the French classical style just before it began to yield to the more galant and Classical idioms. Modern interest in historical performance practices has led to a renewed appreciation of his music.Recorded by Chikako Nishikawa at the Andrea Zeni tribune organ in the Chiesa Parrocchiale dei SS. Giuseppe e Lucia, ItalyAfter her studies in her Native Japan Chikako Nishikawa went to Europe to study in Zurich, Fribourg and The Hague, meanwhile receiving top prizes at international competitions. Lately she studied organ, with a focus on early music, with Federico Del Sordo at the Pontifical Institute of Sacred Music in Rome (Post-Gradum course).

Tracklist:

1. 1Er Ton-I. Plain-Jeu
2. 1Er Ton-II. [Plain-Jeu]
3. 1Er Ton-III. Fugue
4. 1Er Ton-IV. Duo
5. 1Er Ton-V. Duo
6. 1Er Ton-VI. Rcit
7. 1Er Ton-VII. Rcit
8. 1Er Ton-VIII. Trio
9. 1Er Ton-IX. Trio
10. 1Er Ton-X. Basse de Cromorne
11. 1Er Ton-XI. [Dialogue]
12. 2E Ton-I. [Plain-Jeu]
13. 2E Ton-II. Rcit de Nazard
14. 2E Ton-III. Duo
15. 2E Ton-IV. Basse de Cromorne
16. 2E Ton-V. Concert de Flte[S]
17. 2E Ton-VI. Dialogue
18. 2E Ton-VII. Trio
19. 4E Ton-I. Plain-Jeu
20. 4E Ton-II. Duo
21. 4E Ton-III. Trio
22. 4E Ton-IV. Rcit de Nazard
23. 4E Ton-V. Basse de Cromorne
24. 4E Ton-VI. Concert de Fltes
25. 4E Ton-VII. Dialogue
26. 5E Ton-I. Plain-Jeu
27. 5E Ton-II. Plain-Jeu
28. 5E Ton-III. Fugue
29. 5E Ton-IV. Duo
30. 5E Ton-V. Cornet
31. 5E Ton-VI. Rcit de Nazard
32. 5E Ton-VII. Concert de Fltes
33. 5E Ton-VIII. Trio
34. 5E Ton-IX. Dialogue
35. 6E Ton-I. Plain-Jeu
36. 6E Ton-II. Duo
37. 6E Ton-III. Rcit de Nazard
38. 6E Ton-IV. Basse de Cromorne
39. 6E Ton-V. Trio
40. 6E Ton-VI. Dialogue
41. C Sol Ut Mineur-I. [Plain-Jeu]
42. C Sol Ut Mineur-II. Duo
43. C Sol Ut Mineur-III. Trio
44. C Sol Ut Mineur-IV. Rcit de Nazard
45. C Sol Ut Mineur-V. Concert de Fltes
46. C Sol Ut Mineur-VI. Dialogue

UPC: 5028421970110
Label: Brilliant Classics
Release Date: 11.28.25
Format: CD