Bach: French Suites

The so-called French Suites are actually no more French stylistically than either of Bach's other sets of keyboard suites, the English Suites and the Partitas. They are a fascinating mixture of movements of differing national styles, primarily French and Italian, lacking an introductory movement such as a prelude and conceived for performers without the virtuoso technique demanded in particular by the Partitas.

In the sleeve note for his 1961 recording on L'Oiseau-Lyre, reprinted for this newly remastered reissue, Thurston Dart argues persuasively for the use of what was supposed to have been Bach's favourite keyboard instrument, the clavichord. Softer in volume, the intimate clavichord also allows for more dynamic variation than the harpsichord, as well as subtleties of tone.