Mahan Esfahani, Wigmore Hall
He's the man of the moment, even though his core repertoire was composed in the 18th century. Find out why the world is crazy about this keyboard player
Mahan Esfahani excites audiences wherever he goes
The sound of the harpsichord used to be likened to a fight in the cutlery drawer, but today's beautifully made instruments, and their players, have discovered a fantastic new possibilities for this ancient keyboard.
At the forefront of the modern harpsichord movement is the Iranian player Mahan Esfahani. Born in Tehran in 1984, he was a BBC New Generation Artist (2008-10), a Borletti-Buitoni Trust prizewinner, was shortlisted in 2014 for the Royal Philharmonic Society Instrumentalist of the Year and Gramophone Artist of the Year (the first such honours for a harpsichordist), and in 2015 he sealed the deal as BBC Music Magazine's Newcomer of the Year.
His scintillating sound, dynamism and virtuosity have breathed new life into the Baroque repertoire, and from time to time he lets rip with other musical genres.
At Wigmore Hall, three concerts in the new year feature works by JS Bach (9 Feb, 9 May and 19 June). The first includes two of the English Suites, important not so much for their probably misleading title, but as the earliest of the many Suites composed by Bach – sets of dances that display endless inventiveness and contrasts.
It would be hard to find a more committed and focused player that Esfahani, and his skill is beyond compare. For those who like to catch the next generation of musical greats, he is definitely an artist to see and to hear.
At the forefront of the modern harpsichord movement is the Iranian player Mahan Esfahani. Born in Tehran in 1984, he was a BBC New Generation Artist (2008-10), a Borletti-Buitoni Trust prizewinner, was shortlisted in 2014 for the Royal Philharmonic Society Instrumentalist of the Year and Gramophone Artist of the Year (the first such honours for a harpsichordist), and in 2015 he sealed the deal as BBC Music Magazine's Newcomer of the Year.
His scintillating sound, dynamism and virtuosity have breathed new life into the Baroque repertoire, and from time to time he lets rip with other musical genres.
At Wigmore Hall, three concerts in the new year feature works by JS Bach (9 Feb, 9 May and 19 June). The first includes two of the English Suites, important not so much for their probably misleading title, but as the earliest of the many Suites composed by Bach – sets of dances that display endless inventiveness and contrasts.
It would be hard to find a more committed and focused player that Esfahani, and his skill is beyond compare. For those who like to catch the next generation of musical greats, he is definitely an artist to see and to hear.
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| What | Mahan Esfahani, Wigmore Hall |
| Where | Wigmore Hall, 36 Wigmore Street, London, W1U 2BP | MAP |
| Nearest tube | Bond Street (underground) |
| When |
09 Feb 18 – 19 Jun 18, 7:30 PM – 10:00 PM |
| Price | £5 - £38 |
| Website | Click here for more information and booking |