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Performer - Masaaki Suzuki has attained quite an enviable position as a Bach performing artist of the highest order both as conductor and keyboard performer. His on-going series of the Bach Cantatas is among the best on record, and he also continues to record the Bach solo keyboard works. I should also mention his recording of Bach's German Organ Mass which has a host of transcendent performances.

Harpsichord - Constructed by Willem Kroesbergen in 1982 after an enlarged 2 manual Ruckers.

Outstanding Features - Harpsichord sounds gorgeous and acoustic is perfect. Rhythms are supple, trills/ornamentation are enticing, elegance and the singing line are emphasized.

Problematic Features - Changes in tempo and dynamics are infrequent and narrow in range. Contours are very smooth in the Allemandes. Worst, intensity is sorely lacking and most damaging to the Sarabandes. These performances sometimes give off a facile quality.

Reference to Suzuki's disc of German Organ Mass - Anyone who might know Suzuki only by his recording of Bach's German Organ Mass wouldn't believe that this is the same artist who recorded the French Suites. In the German Organ Mass, Suzuki is all sharp angles, severity, and boldness. You won't get much of that in his set of the French Suites. Of course, I am not suggesting that Suzuki should play the French Suites in the same manner as the Organ Mass; I am suggesting that he goes too far in the opposite direction.

Dank aan originele Poster!