Elaine Comparone plays Couperin: Cinquieme Prelude; Le Dodo. ou l'amour au Berceau

[@Yo_ca_va]

dernière musique avant le dodo, parfait

[@ElaineComparone]

merci

[@monteverdi11]

Es pura poesía ...cada nota tiene la importancia misma del universo entero..

[@ambulance_boy3834]

Very well done! I love how it is a stand up instrument which allows you even more movement and expression.

[@ChristianJiang]

Thank you for uploading all these videos!! I love the sound of the harpsichord and you play it majestically

[@ElaineComparone]

Thanks for your comment! We're working on a series now that will show off the three harpsichords that presently live here. I think you"ll enjoy it quite a bit!

[@ChristianJiang]

Elaine Comparone Yes!! Thank you very much! Your videos have inspired me to learn some pieces on my own - I don’t own a harpsichord. But in my grandma’s town there’s a small harpsichord factory (I don’t know if I’m using the right word), which is also a museum! I always go there when I have a chance

[@ElaineComparone]

That"s so interesting! Where is the town and what"s the name of the factory?

[@ChristianJiang]

The town’s name is Bodio Lomnago (it’s very small - 2000 inhabitants). It’s in Northern Italy. The “factory” is in Villa Bossi, it’s called Bizzi.

[@ElaineComparone]

Most interesting!! Thank you very much! I'm glad harpsichord building continues there. May I ask what brought you to Bodio Lomnago? Did you move there or were you born there?

[@andrewmarvell4604]

Elaine, you're the best! Thank you! It's a real privilege to hear and see you play!!!

[@ElaineComparone]

It's nice when people appreciate what you do. Thanks for your kind comment!

[@vsibirsky]

Elaine, it was my morning pleasure to have seen and heard this video. It is an amazing combination... You and this extraordinary instrument. I think over the years you and this harpsichord have exchanged an imprint of souls and the music that comes forth is magic.

[@ElaineComparone]

Hi Vita! Good to hear from you! I very much appreciate your generous and poetic comment!

[@peteacher52]

Thank you, Elaine, for sharing your artistry with us on such a generous scale. My introduction to Couperin happened in 1966 when I was looking for a copy of Landowska's "Treasury ... " Salesman didn't have one but showed me Aimee van der Wielle, on a Nonesuch disc, playing Couperin, of whom I hadn't heard at 19 years of age. Ms v d W's interpretations were, shall we say, highly romantic on a Pleyel-sounding instrument, with super-frequent registration changes - something I accepted as definitive until I heard Kenneth Gilbert (RIP), with whom your playing seems more in keeping. Regards from NZ.

[@elainecomparone9586]

Yes, Colin, I come from the harpsichordists influenced mainly by Leonhardt and his school, but I truly loved Landowska"s interpretations. Her imagination and masterful technique made me forgive her use of the Pleyel, which I was able to see and hear in her Connecticut home some years ago. Her friend Denise was there to give me a tour of the house and a demonstration of the harpsichord. I found it quite thrilling!!

[@peteacher52]

@@elainecomparone9586 For viewers interested in hearing how one of Wanda Landowska's Pleyel harpsichords sounds when recorded with modern equipment, look on KZbin for Skip Sempe's 2012 lecture/recital at the Library of Congress, titled Bach ... the Landowska Legacy. It's an informative hour, well spent.

[@albatros44444]

I really love your play, Elaine! I can feel that you are bond with that wonderful instrument.

[@sooth15]

It's always lovely to hear you play! :D

[@ElaineComparone]

I appreciate your kind remark!

[@minfield333]

Excellent,...it is always a pleasure to watch,..and listen to you play,...you are a true inspiration,...please continue your musical journey. Mel from San Francisco.

[@ElaineComparone]

Thank you! I will continue until old age or infirmity prevents me! So far, I'm still able to do this, and I've found a wonderful sound engineer who is also a gifted musician. I appreciate your response!

[@ElaineComparone]

Hi Josh, it is indeed a beautiful morning here in NYC. Enjoy the day!!

[@photo3642u]

Thank you for your notes Elaine, they make your playing of this piece even more enjoyable. My French girlfriend, as teenagers, didn't teach me very much French!

[@ericross5048]

It’s so nice to hear you play- I enjoy your style, and le dodo is an all time favorite! Your trills sound so nice

[@marcus8258]

Beautiful playing as always.

[@ElaineComparone]

Thank you so much!

[@jhdgdyhi8]

Lovely piece.Somewhat ahead of its time, with a 19th century romantic aura but also the old discipline.

[@ElaineComparone]

Perceptive remark! Thank you!!

[@Reinemichaud]

Très beau.

[@ElaineComparone]

Merci beaucoup!

[@medic_birb1421]

Hello Elaine ! :) I love your video where you played les cyclopes and wondered if you could play Le Rappel des Oiseaux also? This would be GREAT :) I love Rameau and you bring the energy of his music to life :)

[@ElaineComparone]

Hi Jo-Blow! I love Le Rappel des Oiseaux too------what a great piece! I have other pieces on my list to do first, but I'll definitely work on it and try to include it soon!! Once my current Bach sampler has been uploaded, I'll start with a few Scarlatti sonatas that have been itching to be aired. But I promise to put Rameau next in line! Thank you so much for your suggestion!

[@medic_birb1421]

take all the time you need! Love your work ! :)

[@konradscorciapino1849]

Magnificent!

[@ElaineComparone]

Thanks for responding!!

[@HarpsichordVinylGallery]

Indeed wonderful! When will you give a concert in Amsterdam, The Netherlands ;-) I always thought that Le Dodo referred to the bird which species no longer exist.

[@ElaineComparone]

Thank you! It's very stressful to travel and play unfamiliar and sometimes unsatisfying instruments. In my youth I would have loved to play in the Netherlands, but the opportunity never presented itself. Yes, the dodo is an extinct bird----I wish they were still around!----, but Couperin was apparently using a colloquial abbreviation. He probably had kids, and his wife might have sung them lullabies. Or maybe he did!

[@julesmarwell8023]

Couperin ,played impeccably .what joy. even though we are in lock down. stay safe every one.

[@gerardoconnell3667]

She's a nice keyboardist! And a nice harpsichord player as well

[@menialharpsichordist553]

can't stop listen ting to this one lol

[@danielj9042]

You play this so well. I’m learning Berceau now and can’t decide if I want the left hand overlegato or not. I like both ways, but can’t decide! Uh! Too many decisions on the harpsichord.

[@ElaineComparone]

You can say that again!!

[@danielj9042]

@@ElaineComparone when are you gonna post more videos? I’m eager to hear more of your wonderful playing 😃😃...... and do you give lessons via FaceTime or Skype? I would love to have some lessons with you!

[@ElaineComparone]

@@danielj9042 Thanks so much for asking. I've actually just recorded Rameau's A minor suite with the gavotte and variations. As usual, it's take a while to edit . My video artist has to clear his schedule. Another friend/student told me he'd set me up with a computer so that he could have lessons. Since the Covid hit, I've been giving lessons to one person via FaceTime and Zoom, I think, instead of traveling to the college. He used his phone as a video camera. So it's possible. If you stay in touch, we could pursue this avenue of lessons via FaceTime or Zoom.

[@danielj9042]

@@ElaineComparone I’ll definitely stay in touch. I’ve been wanting to study with you since I started watching your videos over 10 years ago. I just love the way you play and I wanna learn how to play like that. I’ll wait as long as it takes to study with you 😀😀

[@TheStruggleUK.]

Your quickly becoming my favourite harpsichordist Elaine (your neck and neck with Karl Richter for me ☺), you're videos are certainly the best on KZbin. This instrument sounds fantastic and is perfectly recorded, I often watch videos or listen to recordings by great harpsichordists and the recording location or microphone arrangement ruins the immediacy of the wonderful natural, unforced sound of the harpsichord. I know I've said it before but I wish I possesed a fraction of your skill and ear.

[@ElaineComparone]

Thank you very much! Glad you approve of the recording sound-----not an easy thing to achieve on KZbin. I have Kyle Walker, my engineer, to thank for that. I'll pass along your comments to him. thanks again!!

[@joshtaylor2847]

Elaine can you play something for me on the piano

[@marcussfebruary9104]

Elaine, where are you!! 😫

[@xXInfiniteEdgeXx]

Could you please tell me what metal those strings are made of?

[@ElaineComparone]

On this instrument, the strings are steel---from the top note g (above the staff) down to the g (bottom line of bass clef). From there down to low F, the strings are made of brass, except for the first f #, which is made of phosphor bronze. This is the pattern for both ranks of 8' stops.All the strings in the 4' set are steel.

[@joshtaylor2847]

hello Elanie how is your weekend

[@ElaineComparone]

So far so good! I'm editing a long video of two recording sessions that will keep me busy for a while. Thanks for asking!

[@Kevimilk]

Do you drink coffee or any similar stuff? I find interesting how you play from memory, thanks for the video :)

[@ElaineComparone]

I love coffee, but I don't drink it before I play. Many years ago, I played an afternoon concert in New Hampshire after having a large breakfast with delicious coffee.The caffeine mixed with performance nerves gave me a bad case of shaking knees. (I was sitting at the keyboard, not standing, thank goodness!) I don't remember how it affected my accuracy at the keyboard, but it was a most unpleasant experience, I can tell you that! I've not done that since! If I'm playing in the evening one day, I won't even drink coffee the previous day.

[@MrMiguelangelb]

[@ElaineComparone]

Gracias!