Music at Oxford
WEIMAR REPUBLIC CENTENARY
St John the Evangelist
Thursday, 7.30pm
Tickets: 01865 244806 or www.musicatoxford.com
Singer Sarah Gabriel and pianist Iain Farrington bring a mixed programme to the SJE to mark the centenary of Germany’s first democratic but flawed constitution. Music by Weill, Hollaender and Schulhoff are put into context alongside lieder by Richard Strauss, which together with contemporary readings and projected images will help to give a snapshot of a very specific moment in Germany’s cultural and political history.
Oxford Philharmonic Orchestra
THE ENLIGHTENED TRUMPET
Sheldonian Theatre
Thursday, 7.30pm
Tickets: 01865 980980 or www.oxfordphil.com
Trumpeter Paul Merkelo – described by Gramophone magazine as “a player of unusual gifts” – joins the Oxford Philharmonic to mark the release of his new Sony disc, The Enlightened Trumpet, with performances of Haydn’s Trumpet Concerto in E flat major and the Trumpet Concerto in D major by Mozart’s father, Leopold, the latter also marking the composer’s 300th birthday. The orchestra will also perform Haydn’s Symphony No.92 in G major, ‘Oxford’ and Mozart’s Symphony No.39 in E flat major. Marios Papadopoulos conducts.
Oxford Symphony Orchestra
CONCERT
Oxford Town Hall
Saturday, 7.30pm
Tickets: 01865 305305 or www.ticketsoxford.com
Acclaimed Polish violinist Maria Wloszczowska joins the OSO for the spellbinding Violin Concerto No.1 by her compatriot, Karol Szymanowski.
The piece is sandwiched between Tchaikovsky’s Romeo and Juliet Fantasy Overture, based on Shakespeare’s tale of the ill-starred young lovers, and Richard Strauss’s evocative tone poem Death and Transfiguration. Robert Max conducts.
Villiers Quartet
Stravinsky, Borodin and Shostakovich
JDP Music Building
Saturday, 7.30pm
Tickets: 01865 305305 or www.ticketsoxford.com
Making their debut as new ensemble-in-residence at the JDP, the Villiers Quartet – acclaimed as one of the most “adventurous” British quartets (The Strad) – perform an all-Russian programme including Stravinsky Three Pieces for String Quartet, Borodin String Quartet No.2 in D Major and Shostakovich String Quartet No.3 in F major. With James Dickenson (violin), Tamaki Higashi (violin), Carmen Flores (viola) and Nick Stringfellow (cello).
Oxford University Faculty of Music
THE CRANE: MUSIC FROM ARMENIA
Holywell Music Room
Thursday, 7.30pm
Tickets: 01865 305305 or www.ticketsoxford.com
Don’t miss this rare opportunity to hear a selection of folk, sacred and art music by Armenian composers, performed by Armenian Canadian pianist Eve Egoyan and violinist Gascia Ouzounian.
The programme includes Babajanian Sonata for Violin and Piano in B flat minor, Khachaturian Song-Poem and Violin Concerto in D minor Op.46, 2nd movement, and Komitas The sky is cloudy, It is spring, and more.
Oxford Coffee Concerts
LONDON SERENATA
Holywell Music Room
Sunday, 11.15am
Tickets: 01865 305305 or www.ticketsoxford.com
Established by former members of the Garsington Opera Orchestra, who have performed together for 20 years, London Serenata comes to the Holywell to perform Mozart’s Serenade in C minor, Beethoven’s Serenade and Gounod’s Petite Symphonie.
If you can’t make this morning concert, you can catch them again in the evening at St Mary’s Church, Adderbury, playing a slightly expanded programme. This is the group’s debut under their new name – look out for them in Oxford again next year!
Let’s All Dance
THE NUTCRACKER
Cornerstone Arts Centre, Didcot
Sunday, 1pm & 3pm
Tickets: 01235 515144 or www.cornerstone-arts.org
You know Christmas is coming when The Nutcracker appears, and this reduced version, aimed at young children, is sure to enthral with its magical, snowy adventure.
Follow Clara’s exciting journey to the Land of Sweets with her Nutcracker Prince, meet the Mouse King and the Sugar Plum Fairy, and enjoy Tchaikovsky’s ravishing score. The perfect start to the festive season!
Bampton Classical Opera
YOUNG SINGERS’ COMPETITION PUBLIC FINAL
Holywell Music Room
Sunday, 6pm
Tickets: https://bamptonopera.org
Here’s a chance to hear some of the opera stars of tomorrow. Bampton Classical Opera’s biennial Young Singers’ Competition was launched in 2013 to mark the company’s 20th anniversary, and previous winners have gone on to enjoy successful careers.
This year’s six finalists – three sopranos and three mezzo-sopranos – will each perform a 20-minute programme of contrasting items to include opera and song. The final will be judged by opera legends Bonaventura Bottone and Jean Rigby and conductor Phillip Thomas.
NICOLA LISLE
