Mahan Esfahani (2010-05 USA-DC Concert-Classical)

Harpsichordist Mahan Esfahani performs Baroque and Classical music

Aesthetic: 3
Technical: 4
Structure: 1
Emotional: 2

Overall: 3

This was an emotional performance for Mahan Esfahani, who was able to play on Wanda Landowska's own Pleyel harpsichord. She's the one responsible for bringing it back for the harpsicord in the 20th century. Only after the performance, at the Q&A, did I learn more about the technical differences of this instrument and how it was more difficult to play. We were lucky to have some serious instrumentalists there asking questions.

Esfahani's performance was masterful. The technicality of the pieces and layered notes did not prevent me from closing my eyes and relaxing. I am not the biggest fan of the harpsichord sound, especially the baroque style tuning and melodies, but I was able to enjoy the performance. Some of the other pieces he chose to perform were excellently delicate or foot-tap inducing and different from the standard affair. I particularly enjoyed sections where he played notes where certain strings were decoupled and it sounded similar to a classical guitar.

Also, Esfahani was like a comedian in between songs. A nice treat to the performance, I must say. It was a tough crowd, though, many seniors and real technical instrument people!