Bach: The Well-Tempered Clavier, Book 1
Hyperion, 2025
9/10
Listen to Bach: The Well-Tempered Clavier, Book
The Harpsichordist Mahan Esfahani takes on an adventurous project here, where he fleshes out Bach’s The Well-Tempered Clavier, Book I across 2 discs of involved and meticulous playing.
“No. 1 in C Major,” opens with the bright strings radiating tremendous warmth and melody, and it isn’t long before “No. 5 in D Major” mesmerizes us with its complicated and playful gestures.
Further into disc 1, “No. 7 in E-Flat Major” sees Esfahani’s acrobatic fingers impressing us with dizzying dynamics, while “No. 12 in F Minor” is a more cautious bout of thoughtful and emotive musicianship.
Disc 2 is equally well executed. “No. 18 in G-Sharp Minor” offers a fluid and harmonic tone, and “No. 23 in B Major” arrives later in the listen with much charm and sophistication.
Esfahani is the lone harpsichordist of his generation that has performed Bach’s complete keyboard works in concert, and his dedication to his craft is remarkable and awe inspiring across this superb endeavor.
Travels well with: Lise Davidsen- Der fliegende Holländer; Gabríel Ólafs- Polar