Mahan Esfahani

Iranian-American musician Mahan Esfahani reveals the rich harpsichord repertoire of the late Baroque period.

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.

The Warm Up: Queen's Hall

Festival Director Nicola Benedetti highlights the morning ritual of chamber concerts at the Queens Hall, and how this special atmosphere of calm and concentration is the perfect start to your Festival day.

The Warm Up: Queen's Hall

Buy standard price tickets to three or more concerts at The Queen’s Hall and get 20% off. Excludes concessions and top-price tickets, more details over on Booking Info.

Programme

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