Bringing Baroque into the 21st Century: Mahan Esfahani plays for Eastern Seasons
London, UK (PRWEB UK) 18 October 2016 -- On 28 November, Mahan Esfahani, the Iranian-born harpsichordist virtuoso, will perform a stirring programme of baroque and contemporary classics at the Royal Overseas League in London, together with the London-based string orchestra Russian Virtuosi of Europe conducted by Yuri Zhislin.
The concert will open the Eastern Seasons week of cultural, sport and business events that takes place in London from 28 November to 5 December 2016. Eastern Seasons seeks to strengthen relations between countries of Eastern and Western Europe.
This concert is a chance to hear one of the world’s greatest harpsichord masters play with one of London’s finest string ensembles in an intimate chamber setting in the heart of London. A champion of this often underrepresented instrument, Esfahani prides himself on bringing the harpsichord into mainstream 21st Century consciousness, and on proving its relevance to contemporary audiences.
"I am known to the London public as someone who always has a new surprise in store,’’ said Mr. Esfahani. "You cannot predict what I'm going to play or how I'm going to play it, and with the inclusion of both a modern concerto and a concerto from the golden age of the harpsichord I seek to show how 'contemporary' a work by someone like Bach is.’’
"When the harpsichord was taken over by the Early Music movement its relevance as a solo instrument - particularly for contemporary music - got left by the wayside. It's something that I lament, and my sense of drive comes from the fact that I'm obsessed with my instrument and I want to share that with others. The harpsichord is as relevant as anything else that's beautiful for a 21st-century audience.’’
Born in Tehran in 1984, Mr. Esfahani is an award-winning harpsichordist and musicologist who studied at Stanford University in California. His recordings on Hyperion and Deutsche Grammophon have been welcomed with critical acclaim.
Mr. Esfahani was a BBC Radio 3 New Generation Artist, 2008 to 2010, the first harpsichordist to enjoy this honor. In 2009, he received the Borletti-Buitoni Trust Award, once again the first harpsichordist to be decorated as such. His Wigmore Hall debut was in 2009, and in 2015 he became a professor of harpsichord at Guildhall School of Music and Drama.
The Russian Virtuosi of Europe was founded in London in 2004 by Russian violinist Yuri Zhislin in order to bring together musicians who are passionate about Russia’s classical music heritage and the Western tradition of chamber music. The musicians have earned awards in almost all of the major international competitions – Paganini, Michael Hill, Brahms, Lipitzer, and Queen Elisabeth competitions. Their latest release on Orchid Classics was selected as BBC music Magazine’s Orchestral Choice (5*), and Classic FM’s Critic’s Choice.
Open to the general public
Tickets available (£15-£36) at easternseasons.com
Exclusive opening reception for journalists and invited guests
Concert Programme
J.S Bach
Harpsichord Concerto in D Minor BWV 1052 (1738)
H. Gorecky
Harpsichord Concerto op. 40 (1980)
Interval
B. Bartok
Romanian Folk Dances (1915)
P. Tchaikovsky
Souvenir De Florence (1892)
Concert duration approx. 2 hours with interval
For images, further information or to discuss interview opportunities please contact:
Helen Barnes | helen(at)curzonpr(dot)com | +44 (0) 203 637 4830
John Varoli | john(at)curzonpr(dot)com | +1 917 568 6103
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Notes to Editors
Eastern Seasons
With the support of founding partner BSI Global Group, Eastern Seasons is an annual week of cultural, sports and business events taking place in London from 28 November to 5 December. Established in 2015, the project strives to strengthen relations between countries of Eastern and Western Europe. For full programme information and tickets to events, please go to http://www.easternseasons.com
Notes to Editors:
Social Media
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/events/1080270465389696/
https://www.facebook.com/easternseasons
Instagram: @EasternSeasons
Twitter: @EasternSeasons
Official hashtag: #easternseasons
BSI Global Group
BSI Global Group was first established in 1990 as the tour operator, opening the doors for tourism between Russia and The UK. After more than 25 years in the travel industry, BSI Global Group has expanded its operations to include a range of services for clients from Russia, Ukraine, Kazakhstan, Azerbaijan and Belarus, as well as, the UK, Europe and Asia.
Travelling inspires new connections, cultural exchange and better understanding between people from different parts of the world. Recognising this and aspiring to enhance the links between people from different countries, BSI Global Group became a Founder Partner of Eastern Seasons in London.
Helen Barnes, Curzon PR, http://curzonpr.com/, +44 2036374831, [email protected]
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