By This file comes from Gallica Digital Library and is available under the digital ID btv1b8421772t, Public Domain, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=136672779 PD - US- unpublished
Felix Le Couppey
In Jane McGrath’s excellent book she discusses Le Couppey’s music by stating ‘in addition to composing piano character pieces Le Couppey published several successful methods.’ She references ‘The Alphabet’, Op. 17, 25 Very Easy Studies. She says ‘each study is preceded by a seven-measure exercise that is to be repeated several times. A variety of keys are used. The best studies are Nos. 1, 2, 5, 6, 18 and 21’. Regarding No 6 she states ‘toccata-like legato five-finger study in which the hands seldom play together’. Also she mentions ‘L’Agilite, Op. 20 25 Progressive Studies for Mechanism and Light Touch’ as well as ’15 Preparatory Studies to Czerny’s School of Velocity, Op. 26’.
This is from Wikipedia ‘Félix Le Couppey (14 April 1811 – 4 July 1887) was a French music teacher, pianist and composer, among others, of a series of elementary études for piano students. One of his most famous pieces was called 'Melody in C' (from 'A B C du piano')’.
Le Couppey was born in Paris on the 14th April 1811, his parents were Lazaer Le Couppey and Elisabeth-Therese Bayard. He was the third of four children of this couple. He studied at the Paris Conservatoire with Victor Dourlen. He became the assistant Professor of Harmony at age 17 and won first prize in pianoforte and harmony in 1825 and piano accompaniment in 1828.
On 25th April 1838 Le Couppey married Marie Lassaleta with whom he had two children, Gaston in 1840 and Manuel in 1843.
By 1837 he became Professor of Solfege, and in 1843 becoming Professor of Harmony and Accompaniment. He remained teaching at the Paris Conservatoire until 1886, a year before his death. During this time, he taught piano and also wrote many textbooks. One of his well-known pupils was Cecile Chaminade. One of the books he wrote is called ABC du piano which is a beginner’s method book published in possibly 1876. Each teaching point is illustrated with a set of exercises, some of which can be played with the teacher. There are also some short pieces called Melodies. Another one of his educational works is “L’Art du Piano which is a collection of fifty studies by various composers with notes by Le Couppey.
On the 8th September 1843 Le Couppey arrived in Brighton, UK having left from Dieppe. He is a native of France, holds a French passport and is listed as a gentleman.
The Thames Advertiser on the 18th September 1878 contains an article concerning the pianist, Alice Charbonnet. It states that ‘she took lessons at a very early age from Mr Le Couppey, who, in addition to conducting a class at the Paris Conservatoire, where he is principal instructor, superintended the music teaching at the best colleges for ladies in the French capital’.
By Pierre Petit - This file comes from Gallica Digital Library and is available under the digital ID btv1b84217752, Public Domain, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=136672691 PD - US - unpublished
In the New Zealand Herald dated 24th December 1886 is informs their readers that ‘Mr Le Couppey, the senior professor of the piano at the Paris Conservatoire has resigned after fifty-eight years of uninterrupted teaching at that institution. He is 76 years of age’.
The following obituary is in the New Zealand Herald dated 1st October 1887. ‘Mr Felix Le Couppey, who last year retired from the staff of the Conservatoire in Paris, after holding office for 50 years, has just died at the age of 76. He was one of the most distinguished professors of the pianoforte, and published several valuable educational works, including a collection of 50 studies by various composers, with original editorial notes, under the title of ‘L’Art du Piano’.
Le Couppey died in 9e Arrondissement, Paris, France on the 4th July 1887.
References
www.wikipedia.org/wiki/Félix_Le_Couppey
The Pianist’s Guide to Standard Teaching and Performance Literature, Jane McGrath, Alfred Publishing 1995.