La Poule (The Hen)

Les Nouvelles Suites de Pièces de Clavecin first appeared in 1726 or 1727. La Poule is part of a suite for harpsichord and is surprisingly symphonic in scope. The simple clucking theme is developed extensively. This delightful character piece is brief but challenging. The opening theme (clucking) should be performed as ‘like a hen pecking for bugs on the ground”. Later, it appears that even the roosters (somewhat deeper tessitura) get engaged.