Before we begin I want to introduce you to a handy-dandy little listening guide. It can help you direct your listening and make sure that you are analyzing the music from as many angles as you can. You can use it for any music in any style and you can use it in any situation. Use this method while you've got the car radio on, or when you're seated in a concert hall. Listen for the instrumentation, the color, the texture of the music, and the size of the performing forces.
Growth stands for form.
The idea here is to make sure that you've looked at all the major elements. Couperin is a famous representative of the French Baroque style. If you've ever seen 18 th century French paintings you know that elegance and a smooth demeanor were prized, and the music of this country reflects that. The style in both painting and music is sometimes referred to as rococo . I'm using Handel as a representative of the Italian style, which may surprise you, especially given his name.