After the publication of the 6 fugues of the 2nd Journal d'orgue of 1784, the Éditions du Centre de Musique Baroque de Versailles offers a score of opus 6 by Jean-Jacques Beauvarlet-Charpentier, which brings together 6 other fugues for the organ. This collection had been assembled a few years earlier, more precisely at the end of 1777, just before Mozart’s second trip to Paris in March 1778. These six pieces, very skilfully written without obligato pedals, can also be played on the harpsichord as indicated in the title, but also on the fortepiano, in church as well as in concert.

This new release will be of particular interest to lovers of beautiful French counterpoint – French fugues for keyboard were so rare at that time! – with writing that is sometimes very daring, as in Fugue V, chromatic, but always pleasing, playful and inventive. The two fugues in C minor are particularly beautiful.

In this edition, a revision of the accidentals has been necessary, the ancient source being particularly defective from this point of view.

None of these pieces presents any great technical difficulty. They will make a beautiful impression in concert, or at the end of a service. Teachers of organ, harpsichord and piano will find new repertoire for their students that will open the door to French classical repertoire. In A major, C minor, C minor, A minor, D major and D minor respectively, each fugue lasts about 5 minutes.