VIEW THIS EMAIL IN YOUR BROWSER FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE October 3, 2018 Tickets & Information: 212/854-7799 millertheatre.com PRESS CONTACTS Aleba Gartner, 212/206-1450 [email protected]Arlene Kriv, 212/854-1488 [email protected]Miller Theatre at Columbia University School of the Arts opens its 2018-19 Signature Keys series with The WellTempered Clavier, Paired featuring MAHAN ESFAHANI, harpsichord Esfahani pairs Bach’s treasured work with contemporary pieces by Berio, Perich, and a world premiere commission by George Lewis Wednesday, November 7, 2018, 8:00 p.m. Thursday, November 8, 2018, 8:00 p.m. Miller Theatre (2960 Broadway at 116th Street) Tickets: $30–$50; Students with valid ID: $7–$30 November 7, 2018, 8:00 p.m. Pre-Concert Talk at 6:30 pm with Mahan Esfahani & George Lewis, moderated by Melissa Smey, Associate Dean and Executive Director
This document is posted to help you gain knowledge. Please leave a comment to let me know what you think about it! Share it to your friends and learn new things together.
Miller Theatre at Columbia UniversitySchool of the Arts
opens its 2018-19 Signature Keys series with
The WellTempered Clavier, Paired
featuring
MAHAN ESFAHANI, harpsichord
Esfahani pairs Bach’s treasured work with contemporary pieces by
Berio, Perich, and a world premiere commission by George Lewis
Wednesday, November 7, 2018, 8:00 p.m. Thursday, November 8, 2018, 8:00 p.m.
Miller Theatre (2960 Broadway at 116th Street)
Tickets: $30–$50; Students with valid ID: $7–$30
November 7, 2018, 8:00 p.m. Pre-Concert Talk at 6:30 pm with Mahan Esfahani & George Lewis,
moderated by Melissa Smey, Associate Dean and Executive Director
Mahan Esfahani; Photo by Bernhard Musil / Deutsche Grammophon
From Miller Theatre Executive Director Melissa Smey:“After being dazzled by Mahan Esfahani’s interpretations of Bach’s GoldbergVariations in his Miller Theatre debut last season, we are excited for him to bringBach to our stage once again. Over two nights, he will bring his harpsichord masteryto programs that pair beloved selections from the WellTempered Clavier withcompelling new works, for an enthralling juxtaposition of old and new.”
Signature Keys
Wednesday, November 7, 2018, 8:00 p.m. Thursday, November 8, 2018, 8:00 p.m.
Miller Theatre (2960 Broadway at 116th Street)
The WellTempered Clavier, Pairedfeaturing Mahan Esfahani
Back by popular demand, the exceptionally gifted Mahan Esfahani returns for twoharpsichord recitals featuring J.S. Bach’s treasured WellTempered Clavier. Over twonights, Esfahani pairs selections from Bach’s masterpiece with a world premierecommission by George Lewis, as well as contemporary works from Luciano Berio andTristan Perich.
Esfahani was profiled in The New York Times last spring. He told writer Farah Nayeri:“Until the harpsichord has the presence that any other mainstream instrument has, mywork isn’t done."
Concert I: Wednesday, November 7
J.S. Bach selections from The WellTempered Clavier, Book I (1722) George Lewis new work for harpsichord (2018),
world premiere, Miller Theatre commission
Concert II: Thursday, November 8 J.S. Bach selections from The WellTempered Clavier, Book II (1742)
Mahan Esfahani was born in Tehran in 1984 and received his first guidance on the pianofrom his father before exploring an interest in the harpsichord as a teenager. He went on tostudy musicology and history at Stanford University, where he was mentored by GeorgeHoule, before studying intensively with Peter Watchorn in Boston and completing hisformation with the celebrated Zuzana Růžičková in Prague. He was a BBC New GenerationArtist from 2008-2010, a Borletti-Buitoni Trust prizewinner, and in 2014 Mahan was onthe shortlist both for the Royal Philharmonic Society Instrumentalist of the Year andGramophone Artist of the Year – all firsts for the harpsichord. In 2015 he was honouredwith the BBC Music Magazine ‘Newcomer of the Year’ award and was nominated in threecategories for the Gramophone Awards – Best Baroque Instrumental, Best Instrumental,and again Artist of the Year.
Since making his London debut in 2009 he has worked tirelessly to establish theharpsichord in the mainstream of concert instruments in classical and contemporaryrepertoire. This mission came to significant public attention when Mahan played the firstharpsichord recital in the history of the BBC Proms in 2011. Since then, recent andupcoming highlights include solo performances at the Zurich Tonhalle, ColognePhilharmonie, Wigmore Hall and the Barbican Centre in London, Wiener Konzerthaus,Berlin Konzerthaus, Schloss Elmau, Munich’s Bell’Arte, the Frick Collection in New York,Sumida Symphony Hall in Tokyo, Denki Bunka Kaikan in Nagoya, the Aldeburgh Festival,the Bristol Proms at the Old Vic, the Laeiszhalle in Hamburg, Petronas Hall in KualaLumpur, the Kilkenny Arts Festival in Ireland, the Bruges Concertgebouw, Mogens DahlKoncerthus in Copenhagen, Pharos Arts Trust in Cyprus, Howard Assembly Rooms inLeeds, the Rudolfinum in Prague, BRQ in Helsinki, the Library of Congress in WashingtonD.C., the Sheldonian Theatre in Oxford, and the Leipzig Bach Festival. In 2015 he made alast-minute appearance as concerto soloist with the Chicago Symphony Orchestra, thuslaunching his North American career. The 2015-2016 sees a tour of China with the BrittenSinfonia and concerto and recital appearances in Spain, Poland, Australia, Estonia,Norway, Turkey, the United States, and Germany, as well as three returns to London’sWigmore Hall.
Following two successful albums for Hyperion Records – with C.P.E. Bach’s WürttemburgSonatas garnering a Gramophone Award and a Diapason d’Or, and the complete keyboardworks of Jean-Philippe Rameau being named in the New York Times ‘Critics’ List of TopRecordings of 2014’ – Mahan Esfahani signed as an exclusive artist with DeutscheGrammophon. His first album for DG/Archiv, ‘Time Present and Time Past’ – a recordingof music ranging from J.S. Bach and Scarlatti to Gorecki and Steve Reich – was released inSpring of 2015, garnering a ‘Choc de Classica’ in France. He also has recorded Byrd andLigeti for Wigmore Live, winning yet another Gramophone nomination. Following a stintas Artist-in-Residence at New College, Oxford, he now continues his academic activities asprofessor of harpsichord at the Guildhall School of Music and Drama in London.
Upcoming Miller Theatre ConcertsSingle tickets: $20-$40
Saturday, October 13, 2018, 8 p.m.
Early Music
STILE ANTICO: ELIZABETH I, QUEEN OF MUSES
Saturday, October 20, 2018, 8 p.m.
Jazz
VIJAY IYER SEXTET
Saturday, October 27, 2018, 8 p.m.
Composer Portraits
KATE SOPER
Saturday, November 10, 2018, 8 p.m.
Early Music
CAPELLA PRATENSIS: THE JOSQUIN IMITATION GAME
Thursday, November 15, 2018, 8 p.m.
Composer Portraits
DU YUN
Miller Theatremillertheatre.com
Now in its 30th Anniversary Season, Miller Theatre at Columbia University is the leadingpresenter of new music in New York City and one of the most vital forces nationwide forinnovative programming. In partnership with Columbia University School of the Arts,Miller is dedicated to producing and presenting unique events, with a focus oncontemporary and early music, jazz, opera, and multimedia performances. Founded in
1988, Miller Theatre has helped launch the careers of myriad composers and ensemblesover the years, serving as an incubator for emerging artists and a champion of those not yetwell known in the United States. A four-time recipient of the ASCAP/Chamber MusicAmerica Award for Adventurous Programming, Miller Theatre continues to meet the highexpectations set forth by its founders—to present innovative programs, support thedevelopment of new work, and connect creative artists with adventurous audiences.
Major support for Miller Theatre’s 201819 Season is provided by the
New York State Council on the Arts with the support of
Governor Andrew M. Cuomo and the New York State Legislature
Columbia University’s Miller Theatre is located north of the Main Campus Gate
at 116th St. & Broadway on the ground floor of Dodge Hall.
Directions and information are available online at millertheatre.com
or via the Miller Theatre Box Office at 212.854.7799.
For photos, please contact Arlene Kriv at 212/854-1488 or [email protected].
For further information, press tickets, photos, and to arrange interviews, please contact Aleba & Co. at 212/206-1450 or [email protected].