Bach, J S: French Suites Nos. 1-6, BWV812-817
Zhu Xiao-Mei (piano)
Awards:
-
BBC Music Magazine, September 2017, Instrumental Choice
Her affinity with [Bach's] idiom is everywhere palpable in this recording...Eschewing flashy showmanship, she focuses instead on drawing a limpid cantabile sound, and on making the rhythms dance...Mei's...
Bach, J S: French Suites Nos. 1-6, BWV812-817
Zhu Xiao-Mei (piano)
Purchase product
Other available formats
Awards:
-
BBC Music Magazine, September 2017, Instrumental Choice
Her affinity with [Bach's] idiom is everywhere palpable in this recording...Eschewing flashy showmanship, she focuses instead on drawing a limpid cantabile sound, and on making the rhythms dance...Mei's...
About
'It is with children in mind that I recorded these French Suites, always having heartfelt simplicity and purity in their mind. Children see the world with hope, optimism, and cast in light – much like Miró sees the world. I find a childlike purity in him, similar to what I hear in the French Suites. There is a quote by Miró that touches me enormously and makes me think a lot whenever I play, as it reflects something that may be the most difficult aspect of musical interpretation – and of art in general: "To gain freedom is to gain simplicity".' Zhu Xiao-Mei
Contents and tracklist
Work length11:53
- Zhu Xiao-Mei (piano)
- Recorded: May 2016
- Recording Venue: Mendelssohn-Saal, Gewandhaus zu Leipzig, Germany
French Suite No. 2 in C Minor, BWV 813: I. Allemande
Track length2:48
French Suite No. 2 in C Minor, BWV 813: II. Courante
Track length1:48
French Suite No. 2 in C Minor, BWV 813: III. Sarabande
Track length2:33
French Suite No. 2 in C Minor, BWV 813: IV. Air
Track length1:17
French Suite No. 2 in C Minor, BWV 813: V. Menuet
Track length1:15
French Suite No. 2 in C Minor, BWV 813: VII. Gigue
Track length2:12
Work length11:40
- Zhu Xiao-Mei (piano)
- Recorded: May 2016
- Recording Venue: Mendelssohn-Saal, Gewandhaus zu Leipzig, Germany
French Suite No. 4 in E-Flat Major, BWV 815: I. Allemande
Track length2:32
French Suite No. 4 in E-Flat Major, BWV 815: II. Courante
Track length1:44
French Suite No. 4 in E-Flat Major, BWV 815: III. Sarabande
Track length2:32
French Suite No. 4 in E-Flat Major, BWV 815: IV. Gavotte
Track length1:10
French Suite No. 4 in E-Flat Major, BWV 815: V. Air
Track length1:26
French Suite No. 4 in E-Flat Major, BWV 815: VII. Gigue
Track length2:16
Work length12:16
- Zhu Xiao-Mei (piano)
- Recorded: May 2016
- Recording Venue: Mendelssohn-Saal, Gewandhaus zu Leipzig, Germany
French Suite No. 1 in D Minor, BWV 812: I. Allemande
Track length3:09
French Suite No. 1 in D Minor, BWV 812: II. Courante
Track length1:54
French Suite No. 1 in D Minor, BWV 812: III. Sarabande
Track length2:14
French Suite No. 1 in D Minor, BWV 812: IV. Menuet I
Track length0:58
French Suite No. 1 in D Minor, BWV 812: V. Menuet II
Track length1:36
French Suite No. 1 in D Minor, BWV 812: VI. Gigue
Track length2:25
Work length13:57
- Zhu Xiao-Mei (piano)
- Recorded: May 2016
- Recording Venue: Mendelssohn-Saal, Gewandhaus zu Leipzig, Germany
French Suite No. 6 in E Major, BWV 817: I. Allemande
Track length2:19
French Suite No. 6 in E Major, BWV 817: II. Courante
Track length1:32
French Suite No. 6 in E Major, BWV 817: III. Sarabande
Track length2:49
French Suite No. 6 in E Major, BWV 817: IV. Gavotte
Track length1:06
French Suite No. 6 in E Major, BWV 817: V. Polonaise
Track length1:19
French Suite No. 6 in E Major, BWV 817: VI. Bourrée
Track length1:27
French Suite No. 6 in E Major, BWV 817: VII. Menuet
Track length1:08
French Suite No. 6 in E Major, BWV 817: VIII. Gigue
Track length2:17
Work length13:02
- Zhu Xiao-Mei (piano)
- Recorded: May 2016
- Recording Venue: Mendelssohn-Saal, Gewandhaus zu Leipzig, Germany
French Suite No. 3 in B Minor, BWV 814: I. Allemande
Track length2:51
French Suite No. 3 in B Minor, BWV 814: II. Courante
Track length2:02
French Suite No. 3 in B Minor, BWV 814: III. Sarabande
Track length2:15
French Suite No. 3 in B Minor, BWV 814: IV. Anglaise
Track length1:22
French Suite No. 3 in B Minor, BWV 814: IV. Menuet
Track length1:10
French Suite No. 3 in B Minor, BWV 814: VI. Trio
Track length1:24
French Suite No. 3 in B Minor, BWV 814: VII. Gigue
Track length1:58
Work length16:20
- Zhu Xiao-Mei (piano)
- Recorded: May 2016
- Recording Venue: Mendelssohn-Saal, Gewandhaus zu Leipzig, Germany
French Suite No. 5 in G Major, BWV 816: I. Allemande
Track length2:50
French Suite No. 5 in G Major, BWV 816: II. Courante
Track length1:34
French Suite No. 5 in G Major, BWV 816: III. Sarabande
Track length3:50
French Suite No. 5 in G Major, BWV 816: IV. Gavotte
Track length1:05
French Suite No. 5 in G Major, BWV 816: V. Bourrée
Track length1:16
French Suite No. 5 in G Major, BWV 816: VI. Loure
Track length2:24
French Suite No. 5 in G Major, BWV 816: VII. Gigue
Track length3:21
Awards and reviews
-
BBC Music MagazineSeptember 2017Instrumental Choice
September 2017
Her affinity with [Bach's] idiom is everywhere palpable in this recording...Eschewing flashy showmanship, she focuses instead on drawing a limpid cantabile sound, and on making the rhythms dance...Mei's phrasing is beautifully tapered, lending a natural ebb and flow to the music. In short, these are honest and deeply affectionate performances, set to become a classic.
March 2018
Zhu sounds happiest in the three major key suites. The gigues charm, the rhythms delectably pointed. Just when you think things are sounding a little too comfortable, she'll deploy a sharp accent or play with the dynamics. This is irresistible Bach keyboard playing, easily up there with the likes of Perahia and Hewitt. 80 minutes of sonic bliss, attractively presented.
