Par SIEGEL RICHARD. Richard Siegel won prizes for the Harpsichord and Chamber Music at the Paris Conservatoire before going on the win first prize in the 1977 International Harpsichord Competition. He has since recorded over 30 CDs and his passion for the instrument has been further apparent in his production of Apprendre à Toucher le Clavecin. As stated in the preface, the study of the Harpsichord has long been reserved, frequently dismissed as an 'old-fashioned' instrument. However, a recent rise in the popularity of early music has rekindled interest in the Harpsichord. In Apprendre à Toucher le Clavecin, volume 1 beingthe first of two helpful volumes to aid student's learning and progression, Siegel enables Harpsichord beginners to learn through repertoire pieces themselves, drawn from the Keyboard masters of the Baroque period. The pupil will be guided towards an understanding of technique and style suited to the Harpsichord. Furthermore, Apprendre à Toucher le Clavecin, which is accompanied by a CD, enables adults who learnt the instrument as a child to return to the instrument and have the instant feeling of making music./ Méthode / Clavecin

Par COUPERIN FRANCOIS / GILBERT. The second volume of Couperin 's Pieces for Harpsichord does not contain a date of publication, however, it is thought to have been composed during 1716-1717, due to the address which the composer gave on his other Harpsichord compositions. Yet, the compilation remains a favourite. François Couperin (1668-1733) is often nicknamed 'Couperin the Great' to distinguish him from other members of the musical family. Many of the composer's works have picturesque titles. Examples of this in his second volume of Pieces for Harpsichord include, Le Moucheron (The Gnat), L'Adolescente (The Teenager) and La Fringante(The Elegant). Couperin 's moods are expressed through choices of keys, adventurous harmonies and discords. With a significant amount of variation and inspiration, Pieces for Harpsichord are essential to the repertoire of aspiring players of the instrument./ Répertoire / Clavecin