A rare treat for classical music lovers: harpsichord legend Trevor Pinnock finally makes his Shanghai debut, joined by Berlin Philharmonic principal flutist Emmanuel Pahud and renowned cellist and viola da gamba specialist Jonathan Manson. This one-night-only concert brings Bach and Telemann to life on period instruments, performed by three of the most influential figures in the early music world. Shanghai is the only stop on the trio’s China mainland tour.

Introduction

On March 13, three towering figures of the early music world come together in Shanghai for a master-level trio concert dedicated entirely to J.S. Bach and Georg Philipp Telemann. Harpsichordist and conductor Trevor Pinnock, a pioneer of the early music revival, leads the program alongside flutist Emmanuel Pahud and cellist/violist Jonathan Manson, presenting works that range from solo masterpieces to intimate chamber music.

This performance is particularly significant as it marks Pinnock’s first-ever appearance in Shanghai, following a long-anticipated but previously cancelled visit in 2018. As part of the trio’s Asian tour, Shanghai is the only Chinese mainland stop, making this a singular opportunity for local audiences. Performed on period instruments, the concert aims to recreate the clarity, balance, and expressive depth of Baroque music as it was originally conceived.

Program

• Johann Sebastian Bach - Sonata in E minor, BWV 1034 (flute and harpsichord)
• Johann Sebastian Bach - Chromatic Fantasia and Fugue in D minor, BWV 903 (solo harpsichord)
• Georg Philipp Telemann - Fantasy No. 10 in F-sharp minor, TWV 40:11 (solo flute)
• Johann Sebastian Bach - Sonata in B minor for flute and harpsichord, BWV 1030

Intermission

• Johann Sebastian Bach - Cello Suite No. 1 in G major, BWV 1007 (solo cello)
• Johann Sebastian Bach - Sonata in E major for flute and continuo, BWV 1035 (flute, cello, and harpsichord)

Artists

Emmanuel Pahud – Flute

Emmanuel Pahud is a French-Swiss flutist and has served as Principal Flute of the Berlin Philharmonic since the age of 22, a position he continues to hold today. A prizewinner at major international competitions in Duino, Kobe, and Geneva, he has since built a global career as both a soloist and chamber musician. Pahud regularly collaborates with leading conductors and performs at the world’s most prestigious concert halls and festivals. In 2024, he received the Léonie Sonning Music Prize, one of the highest honors in the international music world.

Jonathan Manson – Cello / Viola da Gamba

Jonathan Manson is a British cellist and viola da gamba specialist known for his deep involvement in early music performance. He spent ten years as principal cellist of the Amsterdam Baroque Orchestra, recording more than 150 Bach cantatas and collaborating with Yo-Yo Ma. A founding member of the viol consort Phantasm, Manson has won multiple Gramophone Awards and tours extensively worldwide. He is also an active educator, holding a professorship at the Royal Academy of Music in London.

Trevor Pinnock – Harpsichord / Conductor

Trevor Pinnock is internationally regarded as one of the key figures in the modern revival of early music. He founded The English Concert in 1972, helping establish historically informed performance as a global standard. His recordings of Bach, including landmark harpsichord and orchestral works, are widely considered reference interpretations. In addition to performing, Pinnock remains active as a conductor and currently holds leadership roles with major ensembles and music festivals worldwide.