Mahan Esfahani's problem with....

[crb11]

I found the previous one (on Handel) worth a listen - although the way it was framed wasn't entirely helpful, the guest managed to turn things around and give some context for why Handel wrote the way he did, and some ways into listening the music. Today's didn't work for me - the guest didn't seem to get to put a coherent case, and the musical excerpts were much too long, so the argument didn't flow at all.

[kernelbogey]

What's the point of listening to anyone saying how much they dislike a certain composer? I'd much rather learn from someone's enthusiasms especially of music/literature I either didn't know or had idly written off. I'm surprised that Radio 3 thinks such personal opinions warrant air time.

It was a clever set up in both programmes - ME was 'won round' in both - more so for Handel than Mahler. In both he had five 'cases for the prosecution' as it were - my words not his - and I thought the argument valid and interesting: though agree the musical examples were too long.

[kernelbogey]

BTW there was already a thread on this.

Threads merged.

[french frank]

BTW there was already a thread on this.

Ah, well, the programmes were repeats. I wonder if there is some reason why ME isn't asked to present a programme about the harpsichord. I remember last time he was on Inside Music and it was just really introducing a few pieces which had no obvious connection, other than that they'd been chosen by him.

[oddoneout]

Ah, well, the programmes were repeats. I wonder if there is some reason why ME isn't asked to present a programme about the harpsichord. I remember last time he was on Inside Music and it was just really introducing a few pieces which had no obvious connection, other than that they'd been chosen by him.

When Inside Music first appeared several of us voiced disappointment about this aspect. Some of the most engaging and interesting harpsichord related talk (EMS)I have heard in recent years has come from Sophie Yates; I would prefer her to ME.

[jayne lee wilson]

Ah, well, the programmes were repeats. I wonder if there is some reason why ME isn't asked to present a programme about the harpsichord. I remember last time he was on Inside Music and it was just really introducing a few pieces which had no obvious connection, other than that they'd been chosen by him.

He did this one.......

https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b054glfz

...and a masterclass on the instrument too...

https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/p02tmz6h

https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/p0160vz3/p0160vs1

[Serial_Apologist]

I can understand why one could find empathy with someone stating their dislike of a particular composer if it makes one not feel alone in one's judgement.

[visualnickmos]

I just listened. (Mahler) Yes - completely pointless programming. I really cannot fathom what 'they' expected listeners to get from it

[kernelbogey]

I just listened. (Mahler) I really cannot fathom what 'they' expected listeners to get from it

Well... for one thing, a top musical joke: Mahler symphonies are 'conductor porn' (because of M's micromanaging marks in the score).

[edashtav]

Harpsichord soloist Mahan Esfahani has made something of a name for himself as an enfant terrible of early music. (BBC Music Magazine)
Mahan Esfahani—he’s just such an amazing force and a polemicist for the harpsichord (BBC Record Review)
… he is after all the doyen of harpsichord provocateurs ( Music Web International)

Need I write more?

[Hitch]

If anyone here fancies a harpsichord piece that is a little different from the norm, try Esfahani's Archiv recording of Górecki's Harpsichord Concerto, Op.40. The vivace must keep harpsichord tuners in business!

[Bryn]

Harpsichord soloist Mahan Esfahani has made something of a name for himself as an enfant terrible of early music. (BBC Music Magazine)
Mahan Esfahani—he’s just such an amazing force and a polemicist for the harpsichord (BBC Record Review)
… he is after all the doyen of harpsichord provocateurs ( Music Web International)

Need I write more?

Why all those mentions of the harpsichord in those quotes? Surely enough to say he's a provocateur. Playing the harpsichord well does not, after all, necessarily equate with a wider range of musical sensibilities.

[french frank]

He did this one.......

https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b054glfz

...and a masterclass on the instrument too...

https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/p02tmz6h

https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/p0160vz3/p0160vs1

I wouldn't want to be totally negative about that, but compared with a short series of programmes about what he doesn't (apparently) know about and a 2-hour programmes playing Mahan's Choice, the specialist stuff - even with those three lovely photographs - doesn't amount to a lot. It seems more as if they're exploiting his celebrity status to add 'seriousness', and his reputation for being outspoken.

I'm just saying I think it would be better value to hear him enthusing and providing insights about his own field of expertise. The Sunday feature with the interviews would have made a good introduction to a series in which he talked about the music he performs and the special aspects of playing it.

[kernelbogey]

I suppose it would be just too cynical to suggest that he was invited to pick a couple of composers who might be 'difficult' for some of the 'potential new audience'?

[gradus]

Quite a welcome change to hear an adverse opinion of Mahler's music and by no means an unusual one if we go back a generation or two. Toscanini amongst others thought little of GM's work and Barenboim admits to being a late convert having disliked GM's symphonic bombast though admiring his setting of songs. Odd that Esfahani's opponent in the broadcast didn't deploy the songs to counter the allegation of bombast and that Mahler couldn't write memorable tunes.
From memory Mahler certainly didn't figure much if at all in Proms concerts until well into the sixties and several of my musical friends have found and continue to find his scores overlong and boring.