William Byrd Festival Brochure

View the festival brochure (29th June - 2nd July 2023)

Mahan Esfahani

Although best known for his vocal music, William Byrd also composed startlingly inventive works for keyboard instruments including over a hundred pieces which appear in the manuscripts, My Ladye Nevells Booke and the Fitzwilliam Virginal Book, as well as in Parthenia, the first printed collection of music for keyboard in England.

Iranian-American harpsichordist Mahan Esfahani, who last year became the youngest ever recipient of the Wigmore Medal, presents a wonderful selection of works from these hugely important collections.  His lunchtime recital concludes with the last of Bach's English Suites, with its grand Prelude, majestic double Sarabande and a veritable totentanz of a Gigue!  

I
William Byrd:
Pavana Lachrymae BK54
Fantasia BK13
Jhon Come Kisse Me Now BK81

II
William Byrd:
Pavana & Galliardo Sir William Petre BK3a/b
The Carman's Whistle BK36
The Bells BK38 

III
Johann Sebastian Bach:
English Suite No. 6 in D Minor BWV811
-Prelude
-Allemande
-Courante
-Sarabande
-Gavotte I, Gavotte II
-Gigue

The performance will last approximately 1 hour (without interval).

Venue: Temple Church
Click here for map & Directions

"Such virtuosity and disarming presentation suggests that Esfahani could inspire a whole new appreciation of the instrument"

The Guardian

"Esfahani has firmly established himself as one of today's most thrilling harpsichordists"

Gramophone Magazine

Covid-Secure

The safety of our audience, musicians and staff comes first.