BBC Radio 3 is a radio channel that started transmitting on the 30th September 1967. It replaced Third Programme.

BBC Radio 3

Radio 3

The Alternative Bach, with Mahan Esfahani

The Alternative Bach, with Mahan Esfahani: Innovators

Innovators

BBC Radio 3 - The Alternative Bach, with Mahan Esfahani, Innovators

Mahan Esfahani explores recordings of Bach that feature experiments with new instruments.

Harpsichordist Mahan Esfahani explores recordings of Bach that have experimented with new instruments.

In the final part of the series, harpsichordist Mahan Esfahani ventures into the world of the innovators who have experimented with new instruments when recording Bach. By breaking wild, new ground that Bach could never have imagined, do we risk losing touch with the spirit of his music? Or might it sometimes bring us closer to it?

Mahan’s playlist features such pioneers as Wendy Carlos and her Moog synthesiser, and Gunnar Johansen and the Moor double-keyboard piano, as well as the accidental fruits born of a misguided attempt at historical revival: the ‘Bach bow’ as used by violinist Emil Telmanyi in the 1950s, which had the ability to play 4 or 5 strings at once - a feature mistakenly believed to have been present in Bach’s time.

Produced by Chris Elcombe.
A Reduced Listening production for BBC Radio 3.

Live music and the arts: broadcasts more live music than any other radio network. Classical music is its core. Genres include world and new music, jazz, speech and drama.

Music: Classical

Mahan Esfahani challenges what's 'right' or 'wrong' in how JS Bach's music is performed.

In this three-part series, harpsichordist Mahan Esfahani challenges mainstream ideas of what's 'right' or 'wrong' in how JS Bach's music is performed.

Accessibility links

Programme Index

The Alternative Bach, with Mahan Esfahani

Innovators

Genres

Series

BBC Radio 3

About BBC Radio 3