Kirk McElhearn wrote (May 12, 2002):
French harpsichordist Blandine Rannou, who released last year a wonderful recording of Rameau's harpsichord music, has just released a recording of the French suites. This mid-price set is on Zig-Zag Territoires, a small French label.

Frankly, after just listening to this set a couple of times, it is at the top of my list for the French suites. She breathes new life into these works, by adding lots of energy in the fast movements, by Frenchifying all of them (with subtle, judicious ornaments), but, above all, by turning the sarabandes into the masterpieces that they are and deserve to be. I know no other recording of these works where the sarabandes are played so lovingly, so gracefully. Think of the sarabande in the 4th partita, and apply the way most performers play that (or the 25 variation of the Goldbergs) to all the sarabandes of these suites. The 5th suite (which opens the set - she does not play them in number order) is the most moving of all the sarabandes, is played almost 6 minutes long - one minute more than Moroney.

I highly recommend this set. It is full of grace and taste, and the fast movements are full of energy and brio. What a combination. Could this be the set of French suites we have all been waiting for?

French Suites BWV 812-817: Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | French - Brookshire | French - Cates [Satz] | French - Cates [Schwartz] | French - Dart | French - Payne | French - Rannou [McElhearn] | Freanch - Rannou [Satz] | Rübsam - Part 1 | French - Suzuki

Blandine Rannou: Short Biography | Recordings of Instrumental Works
Reviews of Instrumental Recordings: French Suites by Blandine Rannou | Blandine Rannou Plays Bach's French Suites