Bach: Suites françaises (Alpha Collection)

Featuring

Blandine Rannou
Johann Sebastian Bach

Did you know?

1/6

Composer's Artistic Vision

Bach's French Suites, like his Inventions, The Well-Tempered Clavier, and six Partitas, were likely intended as teaching pieces.

Composer's Artistic Vision

Bach's French Suites aim to transmit emotion through music, particularly through a beautiful singing line.

Compositional Technique

The French Suites emphasize dance structures and rhythmic formulas, reflecting a French tradition widespread in Europe.

Instruments

Blandine Rannou performs on a harpsichord made by Anthony Sidey and Frédéric Bal in 1985, which is a copy of a Ruckers-Hemsch instrument from 1636-1763.

Recording & Production

This album was recorded in September 2001 at the Chapelle de l'Hôpital Notre-Dame de Bon-Secours in Paris, France.

Historical Context

Johann Sebastian Bach, Domenico Scarlatti, and George Frideric Handel were all born in the same year, 1685, which also saw the revocation of the Edict of Nantes.