Mahan Esfahani has been announced as presenters in a new wave of cutting-edge programmes for the station. He is set to bring new energy to the station with his new three-part series entitled The Alternative Bach, joining fellow new signings Danielle de Niese and Jess Gillam.
The Alternative Bach explores and challenges controversial opinions on what is ‘right’ or ‘wrong’ in interpretations of JS Bach’s music. Listeners can enjoy a fresh and meaningful journey through a selection of his favourite recordings, many of which are unfamiliar by today’s standards. Episode 1, Traveller, airs on Sunday 17 March at 23:00.
Described as ‘against the grain’ and having ‘taken the musical word by storm’, Esfahani has drawn the attention of critics and audiences worldwide, achieving a Borletti-Buitoni prize, a BBC New Generation Artist status and three nominations (2014, 15, and 17) for Gramophone’s Artist of the Year. Esfahani is renowned for his performances of Bach, not least for his highly acclaimed recording of the Goldberg variations (2016, Deustche Grammophon), and has many Bach centred projects in the pipeline, including a collaboration with cellist Pieter Wispelwey to perform Bach’s Gamba Sonatas, and a tour of China with violinist Jennifer Pike. He is also a passionate performer of new music and recently performed an entire programme of contemporary and electronic works at the Barbican, including a new work by Miroslav Srnka which demands the use of two E-Bows to produce sustained sounds.
Alan Davey, Controller of BBC Radio 3, comments “Classical music is a modern, living art form and nowhere do you see that more than in the great performers and composers who are bringing us vital new work or interpretations of the great music of the past…These new presenter signings of a series of musicians will serve to complement the expertise offered by our existing presenting line-up.”
More information can be found here.
