Mahan Esfahani
Iranian-American musician Mahan Esfahani is a harpsichordist for the 21st century. With a lifelong determination to bring his instrument the modern-day prominence it deserves, he combines scholarly insights with dazzling drama in his performances of music old and new. He is the winner of several prominent awards for his playing, including the Wigmore Medal from Wigmore Hall, London.
Esfahani’s recital reveals the rich harpsichord repertoire of the late Baroque period, from keyboard pioneer Johann Sebastian Bach and his eminent sons to contemporary masters George Frideric Handel and Johann Pachelbel. Esfahani contrasts the elegant dances of Bach's Fourth Partita with the monumental splendour of Handel's mighty G major Chaconne, which explores a single theme from 21 different perspectives, each more virtuosic than the last.
Another Chaconne from Pachelbel demonstrates the composer’s innovation even more imaginatively. Esfahani closes with a Fantasia and Sonata from Carl Philipp Emanuel Bach, whose drama and expressive virtuosity look ahead to the music of Haydn and Mozart.
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A keepsake freesheet is available at the venue for this performance.
Mahan Esfahani Harpsichord
WF Bach Fantasia in E minor, F21
Handel Chaconne in G, HWV 435 (HWV 1733)
Bach Partita No 4 in D, BWV 828
Pachelbel Chaconne in F minor
CPE Bach Fantasia II in C, Wq 59/6
Buxtehude La Capricciosa
The programme on 17 Aug was:
WF Bach Fantasia in E Minor, F.21
Handel Chaconne in G, HWV 435
Bach Partita No., BVW 828
Pachelbel Chaconne in F Minor
Carl Philip Emmanuel Fantasia II in C, Wq 59/6
Buxtehude La Capricciosa, BuxWV 250
Encores
Henry Purcell A Ground in C Minor, Z.D 221
Jean-Phillipe Rameau Gavotte & Variations