VIEW THIS EMAIL IN YOUR BROWSER FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE PRESS CONTACTS October 3, 2018 Aleba Gartner, 212/206-1450 Tickets & Information: 212/854-7799 [email protected] millertheatre.com 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 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 Goldberg Variations in his Miller Theatre debut last season, we are excited for him to bring Bach to our stage once again. Over two nights, he will bring his harpsichord mastery to programs that pair beloved selections from the Well­Tempered Clavier with compelling 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, Paired featuring Mahan Esfahani Back by popular demand, the exceptionally gifted Mahan Esfahani returns for two harpsichord recitals featuring J.S. Bach’s treasured Well­Tempered Clavier. Over two nights, Esfahani pairs selections from Bach’s masterpiece with a world premiere commission by George Lewis, as well as contemporary works from Luciano Berio and Tristan 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, my work 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) Luciano Berio Rounds (1966) Tristan Perich Dual Synthesis (2009) Artist: Mahan Esfahani, harpsichord Mahan Esfahani mahanesfahani.com Mahan Esfahani was born in Tehran in 1984 and received his first guidance on the piano from his father before exploring an interest in the harpsichord as a teenager. He went on to study musicology and history at Stanford University, where he was mentored by George Houle, before studying intensively with Peter Watchorn in Boston and completing his formation with the celebrated Zuzana Růžičková in Prague. He was a BBC New Generation Artist from 2008-2010, a Borletti-Buitoni Trust prizewinner, and in 2014 Mahan was on the shortlist both for the Royal Philharmonic Society Instrumentalist of the Year and Gramophone Artist of the Year – all firsts for the harpsichord. In 2015 he was honoured with the BBC Music Magazine ‘Newcomer of the Year’ award and was nominated in three categories 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 the harpsichord in the mainstream of concert instruments in classical and contemporary repertoire. This mission came to significant public attention when Mahan played the first harpsichord recital in the history of the BBC Proms in 2011. Since then, recent and upcoming highlights include solo performances at the Zurich Tonhalle, Cologne Philharmonie, 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 Kuala Lumpur, the Kilkenny Arts Festival in Ireland, the Bruges Concertgebouw, Mogens Dahl Koncerthus in Copenhagen, Pharos Arts Trust in Cyprus, Howard Assembly Rooms in Leeds, the Rudolfinum in Prague, BRQ in Helsinki, the Library of Congress in Washington D.C., the Sheldonian Theatre in Oxford, and the Leipzig Bach Festival. In 2015 he made a last-minute appearance as concerto soloist with the Chicago Symphony Orchestra, thus launching his North American career. The 2015-2016 sees a tour of China with the Britten Sinfonia and concerto and recital appearances in Spain, Poland, Australia, Estonia, Norway, Turkey, the United States, and Germany, as well as three returns to London’s Wigmore Hall. Following two successful albums for Hyperion Records – with C.P.E. Bach’s Württemburg Sonatas garnering a Gramophone Award and a Diapason d’Or, and the complete keyboard works of Jean-Philippe Rameau being named in the New York Times ‘Critics’ List of Top Recordings of 2014’ – Mahan Esfahani signed as an exclusive artist with Deutsche Grammophon. His first album for DG/Archiv, ‘Time Present and Time Past’ – a recording of music ranging from J.S. Bach and Scarlatti to Gorecki and Steve Reich – was released in Spring of 2015, garnering a ‘Choc de Classica’ in France. He also has recorded Byrd and Ligeti for Wigmore Live, winning yet another Gramophone nomination. Following a stint as Artist-in-Residence at New College, Oxford, he now continues his academic activities as professor of harpsichord at the Guildhall School of Music and Drama in London. Upcoming Miller Theatre Concerts Single 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 Theatre millertheatre.com Now in its 30th Anniversary Season, Miller Theatre at Columbia University is the leading presenter of new music in New York City and one of the most vital forces nationwide for innovative programming. In partnership with Columbia University School of the Arts, Miller is dedicated to producing and presenting unique events, with a focus on contemporary and early music, jazz, opera, and multimedia performances. Founded in 1988, Miller Theatre has helped launch the careers of myriad composers and ensembles over the years, serving as an incubator for emerging artists and a champion of those not yet well known in the United States. A four-time recipient of the ASCAP/Chamber Music America Award for Adventurous Programming, Miller Theatre continues to meet the high expectations set forth by its founders—to present innovative programs, support the development 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]. Copyright © 2018 Aleba & Co., All rights reserved. subscribe to this list unsubscribe from this list update subscription preferences .