Mahan Esfahani is the first harpsichordist in a generation to span all areas of classical music, including pioneering concerto appearances with major symphony orchestras on four continents.
Composer's Artistic Vision
J.S. Bach intended the Inventions and Sinfonias to encourage young keyboardists to develop compositional talents and 'come up with good ideas' (inventiones).
Compositional Technique
The 'little preludes' explore rudimentary keyboard-playing techniques, such as varying articulation or using 'over-holding' (style brisé) to imply more voices and orchestral textures.
Instruments
This recording uses two instruments: a clavichord by Peter Bavington based on a Johann Heinrich Silbermann instrument, and a harpsichord by Jukka Ollikka based on Michael Mietke's theories.
Composition History
The first student to receive instruction with Bach's Inventions and Sinfonias was his son, Wilhelm Friedemann Bach, for whom the Clavier-Büchlein was prepared in 1720.
Interpretation
Mahan Esfahani, the performer, chose to record the two-part Inventions on clavichord for their 'singable' style and the three-part Sinfonias on harpsichord for their orchestral monumentality.
