The Mysterious Barricades by François Couperin - Matthew McAllister (Guitar).

#galleryofguitar #couperin #barricades
Scottish Guitarist Matthew McAllister plays The Mysterious Barricades by François Couperin.
Get the Score and TAB here:
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Find all Matthew's Editions here:
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Matthew is playing a Michael Ritchie Cedar Guitar and using Augustine Regal Strings.
Gallery of Guitar is creating a vast online gallery of music featuring nearly daily uploads of beautiful music. The Gallery curates performances and interviews from many great guitar players including David Russell, Marcin Dylla, Ana Vidovic, Stephanie Jones, Thomas Viloteau, Uros Baric, Gabriel Bianco, Lukasz Kuropaczewski, Matthew Cochran, Kevin Loh, Emma Rush and many more..
The Gallery hosts a large resource of Technical Help and Lesson Videos, Vlogs, Composer Playlists, alongside spotlighting many upcoming players.

[@galleryofguitar]

Get the Music and TAB here: transactions.sendowl.com/products/78613808/7C0DCADB/view

[@maxnouri]

Food for the soul in 2024 ❤. I enjoy listening to this often. One of my favourites. Thank you !

[@galleryofguitar]

Thanks for listening. 🎶

[@ChristLovesUs13]

I’m am 12 and just learned to play this all the way through!

[@galleryofguitar]

Congratulations!

[@chitracalvin2311]

Watching this over and over again ❤

[@galleryofguitar]

That is lovely to hear!

[@allancerf9038]

Wonderful, even if I am 10 years late in saying so. The advantage this has over the more recent version by a talented guitarist on Deutsche Grammophon - and youtube - is that Mattew's guitar is in tune. The guitar can be a beast to keep in tune, but it really makes a difference. 😁 Best version of this piece I've yet heard on guitar.

[@galleryofguitar]

Glad you enjoy the performance. Thanks! 🎶👍

[@jamesuhart]

This is one of the nicest interpretations of the "barricades mysterieuses" that I've heard.

[@galleryofguitar]

Thanks James.

[@christopherjones534]

The sheet music by David Russell is very difficult

[@labibbidabibbadum]

I come back to this every few months. It's the bomb.

[@galleryofguitar]

💣

[@labibbidabibbadum]

@@galleryofguitar So I've got to know... 2:35. Deliberate variation or "undeliberate" variation that made the cut? Funny that I now desperately miss that tiny, subtle change to the theme in every other version I hear. It's perfect .. just when you think you know what's coming.

[@galleryofguitar]

@@labibbidabibbadum deliberate, glad you like it!

[@gretafreitag2041]

This is a song I would play over and over again on the guitar in my childhood... it brought me to a place of wonder, and really made me love playing!

[@galleryofguitar]

That is lovely to hear. 😀

[@natalyredbird]

very soulful, gentle and mysterious performance

[@galleryofguitar]

Thank you Nataly, 😀

[@dewinmoonl]

Mr. Couperin is smiling in his graves right now. very well done!

[@galleryofguitar]

Ha ha, I hope so!

[@masaimanic4836]

stunning. You capture the subtlety of the hesitations so well.

[@galleryofguitar]

Thank you!

[@uneedtherapy42]

mysterious barricades translates to english as "gymnastic workout for the left hand"

[@galleryofguitar]

***** Ha ha! You are right!

[@tamaragovi9186]

uneedtherapy42 magnifique

[@LaraineAnne]

Oh, now we know what the mystery is! ;-)

[@BlaecOleander]

HAHAHA omg 😂🤣😂 Brilliant

[@janwillemheijbroek9107]

Very romantic and moving performance of " les Barricades Mystérieuses"! I am deeply impressed by the subtleness and sensitive play! Each note gets its proper attention. Tempo and rhythm are perfect! I love it! Thanks a lot for uploading this wonderful gem!

[@galleryofguitar]

Thank you Jan, for listening with such attention and taking the moment to comment. I appreciate it. 🎶

[@janwillemheijbroek9107]

​@@galleryofguitar Thank you Matthew for your magical and breathtakingly beautiful performance! It's really transcendental music and such a blessing for heart and soul!!

[@michaelwilson3777]

The finest piece of playing of the guitar on KZbin. I love the tempo. Most seems to play it so fast, with each note blending into one another, it becomes a miss mash. It is one of my very favourite pieces of music that I could never tire of listening to. I'd like this played, so divine. Unfortunately, I missed your concert at westbourne some years ago. I'd love to hear you live.

[@galleryofguitar]

Thank you Michael, maybe concerts will return soon and we can meet in person. Thank you for listening.

[@drdavid62]

A truly enchanting piece! Beautifully performed! 🙏

[@galleryofguitar]

Thanks David! 😊

[@Density133]

Simply GORGEOUS playing. I just listened to McAllister performing Dowland's "The Frog Galiard" and he has shot to my short-list of the great classical guitarists. BRAVO!

[@galleryofguitar]

Thank you!

[@Francismimouni]

thank you so much, Matthew, you brought tears to my eyes, Francis

[@Elagabus]

Thoroughly enjoyed your playing Matthew. Couperin is one of my favourites. Many thanks.

[@galleryofguitar]

Thanks David! Glad you enjoyed it, there are more Couperin pieces on my French Collection album. :-)

[@georgew.spradlin8333]

Such phenomenal playing bravo good sir. I love to hear a guitar played in this manner

[@galleryofguitar]

Thank you kindly!

[@jeanvignes]

Very nice! I love your gentle, legato way of playing this piece - perfectly adapted for the guitar. Yes it was written for the harpsichord, but on the guitar I think that it needs the warmth with which you have imbued it by slowing it down just a touch and giving each note a perfect roundness. Lovely. You should be very proud.

[@galleryofguitar]

Thank you very much. :-)

[@RockStarOscarStern634]

To play in the Original Key of Bb Major use Magma GCT-Bari Strings & move the capo up to the 3rd Fret

[@Michajeru]

A very beautiful performance of this piece.

[@galleryofguitar]

+Michajeru Thanks!

[@juancamelo6206]

Oh my gosh I love the song!!!😆😁😁😁😁

[@galleryofguitar]

Glad to hear that!

[@2981661]

Beautifully played. Perfect pace and balance.

[@galleryofguitar]

Thank you.

[@Michajeru]

I like Matthew's performance of this beautiful piece very much.

[@galleryofguitar]

Thank you. :-)

[@nadineweidman2163]

Beautiful-- fascinating both to listen to and to watch. Thank you!

[@galleryofguitar]

Thank you Nadine. 🙏

[@johnnicholson7750]

What a treat, a beautiful rendition of one of my favorite piano/harpsichord pieces.

[@galleryofguitar]

Thanks John, glad you enjoyed it.

[@gberndt4music]

Well done! Nice tempo that lets all the notes ring out.

[@galleryofguitar]

Thanks Jerry!

[@davidfrankelmusic]

Beautiful 💖 this has always been my favourite performance of this piece!

[@galleryofguitar]

Thank you David. 😀

[@halvey123]

Lovely song and performance. Thanks for posting.

[@galleryofguitar]

Thank you. :-)

[@sherenesturtevant9388]

beautiful arrangement and your down tempo interpretation is so lovely. Thank you for bringing peace to my day!

[@galleryofguitar]

Sherene Sturtevant Thank you very much.

[@josselinbeguier9259]

A lot of kisses from France for Matthew ! 🐣🐆🤸💪

[@galleryofguitar]

Merci!

[@noahvale939]

Enchanting.

[@edwilliams9914]

I love your interpretation of this piece; I "grew up on" Parkening's version and have been amused by the various KZbin arguments about which tempo and phrasing is better (which is how I got to your performance). Frankly I love them both. This one warm and thoughtful and nuanced on the complex interplay on the upper strings; Parkening's, beautifully crisp, and more of a 'canter' and (to me), emphasizing the wonderful structure of the bass lines. Yours is lush and summery; his, bracing and autumnal. Both wonderful.

[@codyclarke]

Thank you for playing it in this key! Much better with a capo.

[@galleryofguitar]

Thanks Cody!

[@stephenhetzel8437]

Gorgeous playing. Thank you!!

[@galleryofguitar]

Thanks Stephen. 😀

[@Parketak]

I love your interpretation of this piece soooo much! I´m allways trying to find some nice piano version but everytime I go back to your guitar one, which I consider best in YT! I found it and your channel a few years ago, and still go back to listen it! :)

[@galleryofguitar]

I love this comment! Thank you very much for coming back to my performance. 🙏

[@oscilis]

Really lovely sound.

[@Thalos66]

Just perfect, bravo !

[@galleryofguitar]

Thank you Julien!

[@dugumr]

Beautifully done. Gentle.

[@galleryofguitar]

Thanks Mike. 😊

[@Marianofrv]

Las barricadas misteriosas, ese obstáculo que impide la visualización del amor en los ojos que contemplamos. El mayor tributo a los párpados en su incesante batir de aires y lágrimas al servicio de la evasión y el disimulo, la promesa y el estímulo. Un misterio sin duda...

[@labibbidabibbadum]

Ahhh - I see now. I always thought it was a song about mysterious barricudas, gliding silently through the gloomy water toward the unwary swimmer...

[@khwabyda]

"Mother. Father; always you wrestle inside me, always you will."

[@DessieTots]

Always an occasion to hear you play Matthew.

[@galleryofguitar]

Des Kodur Thanks Des!

[@Wise2you]

Great rendition. Really enjoyed it.

[@catkeys6911]

Beautiful expression and feel on this piece. It's interesting how this piece has evolved from its original harpsichord performance to other instruments that have greater potential for expression than the harpsichord. Virtuosos like McAllister are able to truly enhance the musical effect of this piece.

[@galleryofguitar]

Chris Boose Hi Chris, thank you for your lovely comment. M

[@allan2098]

Lovely performance, very musical and mature.

[@galleryofguitar]

Thank you Allan. 🎶

[@markthorson6656]

This piece, in its simplicity, like many of J S Bach's, brings me to the edge of tears.

[@galleryofguitar]

It is a great piece. 👍

[@isabellapirie933]

I think this is actually by Couperin

[@galleryofguitar]

@@isabellapirie933 It is, what Mark is saying is that this piece like many of Bach's has a profound affect on him, he doesn't mean he thinks Bach is the composer.

[@michiganjack]

Exquisite interpretation of a masterpiece.

[@galleryofguitar]

Thank you very much, it is a great piece. 😀

[@davephillips1263]

Bravo ! Outstanding interpretation and performance, very musical. And of course, the piece is just so cool when played on the guitar. :)

[@galleryofguitar]

Thanks Dave, glad you enjoyed it. 😀

[@hannibalab]

Love this interpretation

[@galleryofguitar]

Thank you Amina!

[@libramoon2]

Beautiful..

[@galleryofguitar]

Thank you. :-)

[@galleryofguitar]

Thank you. :-)

[@anonmouse3450]

Really lovely. Thank you.

[@galleryofguitar]

Thank you.

[@lingjingfr]

Beautiful

[@galleryofguitar]

Thank you.

[@Mandoline2007]

Vraiment très bien interprété, j’adore bravo! Really very well, bravo!

[@galleryofguitar]

Merci! 🙏

[@mamasuso]

Beautiful!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[@galleryofguitar]

Thanks Susan.

[@lalodiaz]

great playing !!

[@galleryofguitar]

Thank you Eduardo!

[@Behyelzebub]

Amazin'

[@galleryofguitar]

Thanks!

[@Sviolinist]

NOW THAT is perfect. Almost like the way I play the trills and your interpretation is beautiful. I love it! I'm making my own video, but I play the keyboard. Bravo.

[@galleryofguitar]

Many thanks for your comment, I appreciate it!

[@guitarricktrue]

Great man! Really great!!

[@elizabethwilcox8006]

lovely sonorous sound!

[@galleryofguitar]

Thank you Elizabeth! All the best, Matthew

[@antoniogonzagadasilvanetog2023]

Bravo parabéns pela interpretação grande abraço.

[@libramoon2]

Heavenly music.

[@galleryofguitar]

Thank you. 👍

[@libramoon2]

@@galleryofguitar I still love this.🎶🎶❤️

[@lukesargent7551]

Man that sounds so good. Nice job, man.

[@galleryofguitar]

Cheers Luke!

[@johnmeney]

Fabulous!

[@galleryofguitar]

johnmeney Thanks. :-)

[@thom6746]

Beautiful.

[@galleryofguitar]

Thanks Ken! 👍🎶

[@thom6746]

I didn't know anyone read these comments! I searched for this piece because I heard it years ago and liked it very much. Nice performance. Thanks.

[@galleryofguitar]

My pleasure Ken, I enjoy reading and responding to the comments on my channel, lots of great music to listen to up on Gallery of Guitar.

[@carmenpdl8918]

Bravooo! 👏👏👏

[@galleryofguitar]

Thank you. 😀

[@Morifa20]

Thank you Matthew.Greetings.Leo.

[@galleryofguitar]

Pleasure!

[@chitracalvin2311]

Wowwwwwwwwwww!!!!!

[@galleryofguitar]

@@chitracalvin2311 Thanks!

[@borborcassell1107]

Awesome!!!!!!!!!

[@galleryofguitar]

:-)

[@kytaristka]

Beautiful :-)

[@galleryofguitar]

Thanks Eva.

[@hermanmarpaunghermanmarpau3645]

So flawless using capo at second fret get more nice trebles, bravo

[@galleryofguitar]

Thanks Herman,

[@jonsayles3504]

Can I say that I didn't want the piece to end??

[@galleryofguitar]

Absolutely! 🎶🎶🎶🎶

[@wj7961]

I neeeeed that chair behind him!!!

[@galleryofguitar]

Ha! It is a nice chair for sure. 😀

[@volatiletoes348]

Does anyone know if there are any guitar lessons on youtube that teach this piece. I would love to learn it!

[@matthewbaumann630]

The tab is available online.

[@volatiletoes348]

@@matthewbaumann630 Yes? Could you tell me where? And also the link? Thanks Very Much!

[@RealWolfRanger]

Christopher Parkening’s folio “Music of two centuries” volume 2 has it.

[@volatiletoes348]

@@RealWolfRanger Thanks.

[@galleryofguitar]

transactions.sendowl.com/products/78613808/7C0DCADB/view

[@yellemusic-2476]

Studying this on the piano, its very difficult i think

[@galleryofguitar]

But worth the effort, it is a beautiful piece. 👍

[@yellemusic-2476]

@@galleryofguitar thats very true!

[@JihuiXue]

2:34 cute improvisation

[@galleryofguitar]

Glad you liked it! 😀🎶

[@Morifa20]

Hello Matthew.Is this piece of music for sale on sheet? Greetings from Holland. Leo.

[@galleryofguitar]

Hi Leo, I have not made an arrangement that is published, it is in my head. Sorry, when I have it written down I will share for sure!

[@MegaStrijder]

Fernando Sor - Op. 35 No. 9 could well have been inspired by Couperin's Les Barricades mysterieuses..who can tell?

[@galleryofguitar]

Maybe!

[@darrenini]

Your transcription bears a striking resemblance to the one by Christopher Parkening. Parkening's is set in C major, as well. I like your idea of capo'ing at the second fret to move it to the key of D major. For many years, guitarists performed Alirio Diaz' transcription of this in D major with drop tuning. The second fret capo with C major chord shapes is a much better solution. Kudos to you for using low tension strings and making a beautiful sound. Tone quality trumps volume any day of the week!

[@edwilliams9914]

darrenini Interesting comment regarding string tension! As a beginner, and playing D'Addario strings (on an old Ramirez), I've always assumed that the low tension strings were 'for beginners' and 'hi tension automatically equalled tone quality', so that 'advanced' guitarist with better technique (and stronger hands) played higher tension. That also made sense to me for getting more 'concert volume sound on a concert quality guitar'. So I was a little surprised to see that Mr. McAllister mentioned the Low Tensions. But I've always been more satisfied with my vibrato and general touch on lower tensions -- I could just express more -- and preferred them, but felt guilty about it, like I wasn't working hard enough. Glad to hear that it's really an expressive choice that maestro level performers also might select. Thanks for the tip.

[@doctorshawzy6477]

strangely enough, the guitar commonly sounds better that the instrument for which the piece was written. ......case in point.

[@galleryofguitar]

It definitely opens up lots of new possibilities with dynamics and timbre that is for sure. Glad you like it.

[@filsuf]

So this is in D instead of the usual C; although the scordatura is in C! .. Diaz actually has a nice transcription in D, in case you're too lazy to make one yourself ;) .. but yeah, D sounds better and more illuminating for this piece than C.

[@user-gx6vo4si7f]

Hi! Where can I find the sheet music? I really want to learn it!

[@galleryofguitar]

Check for Stanley Yates, he has a free pdf online.

[@user-gx6vo4si7f]

@@galleryofguitar I found it! Thank you so much.

[@guystudios]

Anyone else here from Alma Deutscher’s video?

[@galleryofguitar]

Interesting.

[@mariadelossantos3067]

Who ever disliked this... get a grip

[@galleryofguitar]

Ha ha! They are jealous... 😉

[@libramoon2]

What are you thinking of when you are playing a beautiful piece like this ?

[@galleryofguitar]

Many many things....

[@ColinBurnside]

Wonderful. Steady tempo.

[@dolaur1]

Very nice playing and tempo... what is the guitar you play with?

[@soundknight]

There's got to be a better way to dinner this... Maybe A Major with an F# tunes 3rd string...

[@galleryofguitar]

I think it works well like this.

[@Critic_number_4]

sorry Francois, I like it better on guitar.

[@galleryofguitar]

I am sure he would like it on guitar too. ;-)

[@Sviolinist]

2 people clearly have no taste in music by the way!

[@galleryofguitar]

Ha ha, more than 2 I am sure!!