Masaaki Suzuki - J.S. Bach: French Suites (2003)

Those who've heard Masaaki Suzuki's patient, reflective journey through Bach's Partitas will find similar traits in his recordings of the French Suites. At first the breathing spaces and tiny caesuras in the Allemandes and Sarabandes strike a precious pose. Listen again, though, and you realize that Suzuki is phrasing from a singer's perspective, undoubtedly influenced by his experience conducting the Bach Passions and Cantatas.

By contrast, the Courantes, Gavottes, and Bourrées truly dance within Suzuki's sharp delineation, and each Gigue is specifically characterized. For example, Suzuki shortens the First Suite Gigue's dotted notes, imparting a sense of air and lightness to the music's French Overture pomp. And rather than treat the Fifth Suite Gigue like a virtuoso showpiece, he makes the triplets lilt in a way that allows you to tap your toes and sing along at the same time (try it). That may sound trite, but isn't what this music is all аbout: singing and dancing?

Suzuki observes all repeats and applies plenty of well-considered ornamentation on the second go-rounds. Though the A minor and E-flat major Suites are not official French Suites, they are as much in style and spirit, and they indisputedly fit in with their bretheren. At least Suzuki's persuasive performances make them do so. Scholarly annotations and excellent sound (the mastering's at a relatively low level, so you have to crank your volume knob up a notch or two) enhance my recommendation. In short, Suzuki's French Suites rank among these works' finest harpsichord versions on disc. His subtle keyboard artistry will grow on you, given the chance. -- Jed Distler