Composer: Johann Sebastian Bach
Performer: Zhu Xiao-Mei
Number of Discs: 2
Format: FLAC (tracks)
Label: Accentus Music
Catalogue: ACC30428
Release: 2024
Size: 1.69 GB
Recovery: +3%
Scan: yes
CD 01
English Suite No. 3 in G Minor, BWV 808
01. I. Prélude
02. II. Allemande
03. III. Courante
04. IV. Sarabande
05. V. Gavotte I
06. VI. Gavotte II
07. VII. Gigue
English Suite No. 1 in A Major, BWV 806
08. I. Prélude
09. II. Allemande
10. III. Courante I
11. IV. Courante II
12. V. Double I
13. VI. Double II
14. VII. Sarabande
15. VIII. Bourrée I
16. IX. Bourrée II
17. X. Gigue
English Suite No. 2 in A Minor, BWV 807
18. I. Prélude
19. II. Allemande
20. III. Courante
21. IV. Sarabande
22. V. Bourrée I
23. VI. Bourrée II
24. VII. Gigue
CD 02
English Suite No. 5 in E Minor, BWV 810
01. I. Prélude
02. II. Allemande
03. III. Courante
04. IV. Sarabande
05. V. Passepied I en rondeau
06. VI. Passepied II
07. VII. Gigue
English Suite No. 4 in F Major, BWV 809
08. I. Prélude
09. II. Allemande
10. III. Courante
11. IV. Sarabande
12. V. Menuet I
13. VI. Menuet II
14. VII. Gigue
English Suite No. 6 in D Minor, BWV 811
15. I. Prélude
16. II. Allemande
17. III. Courante
18. IV. Sarabande
19. V. Double
20. VI. Gavotte I
21. VII. Gavotte II
22. VIII. Gigue
After a six-year hiatus, acclaimed pianist Zhu Xiao-Mei returns with a deeply personal and masterful recording of J.S. Bach’s English Suites. This release completes her heartfelt journey through Bach’s piano compositions, marking another significant milestone in her extraordinary career. This project is the culmination of years of meticulous preparation and an intimate relationship with the music. Zhu Xiao-Mei’s approach is characterized by a profound connection to each piece, allowing her to bring out the subtleties and nuances that make Bach’s work so timeless. Her dedication to living with the music day-by-day ensures a performance that is both authentic and deeply resonant. The English Suites, with their blend of lively orchestral and delicate intimate moments, have a special place in Zhu XiaoMei’s heart. She describes them as “a music of intimacy,” making this recording particularly unique. Despite the challenges, including pandemic-related delays and finding the perfect piano, her dedication to authenticity shines through in every note. Zhu Xiao-Mei’s insightful and sensitive performance invites you into a world of subtlety and depth, offering a refreshing contrast to today’s fast-paced musical landscape. This album is not just a completion of her Bach recordings but a milestone that underscores her exceptional artistry and unwavering devotion to Bach’s timeless music.