Introducing: Mahan Esfahani

First St Martin-in-the-Fields, London, then the Sheldonian Theatre, Oxford, set the scene for an evening of Baroque mastery with esteemed harpsichordist Mahan Esfahani. Whether you are new to the fascinating world of Baroque music or a well-seasoned listener, this concert is a perfect treat for all.

Mahan Esfahani has made his mark with a unique output of repertoire spanning virtually every corner of classical music, alongside prolific commissions and premieres of many modern chamber works in a wide variety of concert halls across Europe.

Born in Tehran, Esfahani was raised in the USA and went on to study musicology and history at Stanford University. Sitting down to learn the harpsichord during this time under Elaine Thornburgh, he was transported by his studies, musical training and répétiteur work to Boston, Prague, Milan, London and, of course, Oxford.

Performing the grandest and most celebrated Baroque works at one end of the scale, Esfahani has made many appearances and releases aiming to utilise the harpsichord in modern contexts – in particular his 2020 album Musique?, in which he plays the instrument with a furious energy that is designed to shock the listener with the strong contrasts of immense electronic energy and the dramatic harpsichord timbre.

His 2015 album Time Present and Time Past merges modern works, including Steve Reich’s ‘Piano Phase’, with Baroque classics. As pointed out by Gramophone, the recording utilises a precise energy with Esfahani’s ‘tasteful bravura’ to dramatically combine two polarising ends of classical music onto a single record.

Esfahani was the youngest recipient of the Wigmore Medal when it was awarded in 2022, predominantly for his contributions to the Hall and his performance of J.S. Bach’s Art of Fugue and other works from his Bach cycle.

Outside of the harpsichord, Esfahani is a frequent commentator on BBC Radio 3 and Radio 4, as well as host for other radio programs like Record Review, and writes in The New Yorker, The Critic, and Engelsberg Ideas. He has graced the radio with diverse topics, including explorations of the origins of early African American music and many other early musical histories. 

His upcoming programme with soloists of the Oxford Philharmonic Orchestra features a superb selection of Baroque classics that are sure to delight every listener in the audience. Find tickets here…
9 July – St Martin-in-the-Fields
10 July – Sheldonian Theatre

Photos by Alex Kozobolis

An evening of Baroque mastery awaits as the Oxford Philharmonic welcomes celebrated harpsichordist Mahan Esfahani. From the lyrical warmth of Handel’s Trio Sonata to the spirited finale of Bach’s Brandenburg Concerto No. 5, this concert features rhythmic drive, dialogue, and elegance. A perfect concert for both Baroque enthusiasts and new listeners alike.

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