Reid Lunch-hour Concert

The suite as a form was central to French music in the 17th and early 18th centuries.  There is no rule to suggest that one would have played every movement of a suite, in the printed order, in one sitting.  The suite may have been used more as a means of cataloguing and grouping dances by key and character.
The fascinating subtitles that appear on many pieces from the early 18th century have inspired the headings of the three suites we have consructed for this programme.
Palais centres around the first of François Couperin's 'Concerts Royaux' composed for his regular chamber music performances at the court of Louis XIV.
Portrait takes us on a stroll through a picture gallery, viewing potraits, flattering (and otherwise) of a selection of notable musicians and courtly characters.
Pastorale finds us at a 'Fête champêtre', and extravagant garden party where we chance upon peasants dancing, birds singing and the west wind blowing.  G.B.