Nathaniel Mander

Nathaniel Mander, Ambassador of the Harpsichord, is widely regarded as one of the leading harpsichordists of his generation. He is known for his poetic interpretations, expressive depth, and dedication to bringing the instrument to new audiences. Through his studies in the UK and Europe, he has developed a very expressive, personal and authentic touch. Read his Spotlight interview here.

At a young age Nathaniel was entranced by the unique sound of the harpsichord; its crystalline voice and archaic clarity set him on a path to become one of today’s most dynamic interpreters of early keyboard music.
He began his education with Richard Lester in Cirencester, where he also gave his first recitals. Nathaniel moved to London in 2007 to train at the Royal Academy of Music with Carole Cerasi.

In 2010 Nathaniel won first prize at the Early Keyboard Ensemble Competition at Fenton House. The following year he took first prize at the 10th Broadwood Harpsichord Competition and later won 2nd place at the Gianni Gambi Harpsichord Competition in Pesaro (Italy), the Accompanist's Prize for the John Kerr Award at Finchcocks and the Harold Samuel Bach Solo Keyboard Prize at the Royal Academy of Music. In 2014 Nathaniel held the Linda Hill Junior Fellowship at the Royal College of Music for two consecutive years.

He later travelled to Paris and Rome in order to study with Béatrice Martin, Elisabeth Joyé, Skip Sempe and Pierre Hantai. Along with Carole Cerasi, who deeply influenced his sound and approach to the instrument, these remain his most important musical influences.

His debut solo recording with ICSM Records, a recording of Bach’s Goldberg Variations on his Andrew Garlick harpsichord, received brilliant reviews across the board, and he was awarded the highest accolade: a 10-star review by Dutch specialist classical music magazine Luister. Prior to this, he recorded a disc of 18th-century French repertoire on the beautiful Dragon harpsichord at Raynham Hall in Norfolk: ‘The 18th-century French salon’.

Nathaniel has performed often in France after being invited by Marc Minkowski to join his celebrated orchestra, Les Musiciens du Louvre, in performances of their all-Rameau programme. In 2022 he joined them for the opera season in Paris, performing at the Palais Garnier in performances of Rameau’s opera Platée, a performance of which was broadcast live on France TV.

As a solo recitalist, Nathaniel has performed internationally a wide-ranging repertoire from the Elizabethan Virginalists, through the sonatas of Mozart and Haydn, and right up to the music of Chopin and Schubert on fortepiano. He is particularly known for his expressive and virtuosic performances of the 18th-century French masters and the music of Mozart.

Nathaniel has recently had the great pleasure of performing at Windsor Castle in a private recital for Prince Edward, the Duke of Edinburgh, as well as a sold-out recital performance of Bach’s Goldberg Variations at the Valletta Baroque Festival in Malta.

Beyond performance, Nathaniel is also a teacher and passionate communicator. He has created teaching videos (for the Japanese Early Music organisation Académie de Cour) to bring his love for early keyboard instruments to wider audiences. He holds masterclasses, adjudicates competitions, and is noted for his warm, light touch in introducing listeners to the contexts and colours of the music he plays. His art is not just in reviving the past but in making it live now.

Nathaniel’s affinity for in-depth study of keyboard music from the 18th century has naturally led him to develop his art as an improviser, and through this he pens original compositions in the idiom of the time. He has recently been appointed a founding composer and 18th-century artistic adviser to The Tonal Composer’s Society, a London-based group dedicated to preserving and cultivating traditional tonal classical music.