Performer
Mahan Esfahani, Harpsichord

Program
HANDEL Suite in F Major, HWV 427
GIBBONS Pavan “M. Orlando Gibbons,” MB 16
GIBBONS Prelude, MB 2
GIBBONS Fantasia, MB 9
GIBBONS “The Hunt’s Up”
D. SCARLATTI Six Harpsichord Sonatas, Op. 1
J. S. BACH English Suite No. 6 in D Minor, BWV 811

Mahan Esfahani is a genius harpsichordist and an irresistible advocate for the music he performs. In his anticipated return, he presents a thoughtful tribute to the music—and musical devotees—of 17th- and 18th-century London. He begins with one of Handel’s “eight great suites,” followed by selected works by composer and Westminster Abbey organist Orlando Gibbons. Though written by an Italian composer in the service of the kings of Portugal and Spain, the Scarlatti sonatas also found their first advocates among London’s music enthusiasts. The program closes with the final so-called “English” keyboard suite composed by a young J. S. Bach.