Past Events
Music at Oxford has been bringing internationally renowned artists to Oxford for 40 years. Each year our concert series features a wide range of artists and composers, covering everything from the renaissance to now, and embracing classical, jazz, folk and non-Western genres. Our hub for past events showcases all the concerts we have had since our 2009-10 season, so if you would like to know which Beethoven violin sonata Tasmin Little played in March 2016 or in which year the Hallé and Sir Mark Elder performed a programme of Strauss and Mahler in the Sheldonian Theatre, you will be able find the answers here. If you would like information about any concerts prior to our 2009-2010 season, please contact us by email: info@musicatoxford.com.
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Dame Sarah Connolly with Julius Drake
Oriel College Visiting Fellow in Music ConcertOriel College 700 Years
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Fretwork: Take Five
A wide-ranging concert from Fretwork - including everything from Bach to Kate Bush!
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Richard Tunnicliffe & Paul Nicholson play Vivaldi, Bach and Handel
Oriel College Visiting Fellow in Music ConcertOriel College 700 Years
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Mammal Hands
Mammal Hands return to the Sheldonian Theatre for Music at Oxford, touring new material, after an electric sell out performance in February 2024.
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Craig Ogden plays Bach, Rameau and Piazzolla
Oriel College Visiting Fellow in Music ConcertOriel College 700 years
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Joanna Macgregor plays Liszt, Piazzolla and Couperin
Oriel College Visiting Fellow in Music ConcertOriel College 700 Years
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CHRISTMAS AT CHRIST CHURCH 2
Revel in the glorious sounds of the Cathedral Choir of Christ Church, enjoy seasonal readings and join in with audience carols, all in wonderfully atmospheric surroundings.
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CHRISTMAS AT CHRIST CHURCH 1
Revel in the glorious sounds of the Cathedral Choir of Christ Church, enjoy seasonal readings and join in with audience carols, all in wonderfully atmospheric surroundings.
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FAMILY CHRISTMAS CONCERT
Relaxed, fun and informal, our family-friendly daytime celebration of the festive season is back.
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ROOPA PANESAR: ATMA (THE SOUL)
Roopa Panesar presents a musical journey that portrays all aspects of life, in this rich musical meeting between the worlds of Indian classical and jazz.
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90 YEARS OF ARVO PÄRT: ABOUT TIME
Richard Curtis's classic romantic comedy demonstrates Arvo Pärt's wide-reaching contribution to contemporary culture, featuring his music prominently in the soundtrack.
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90 YEARS OF ARVO PÄRT: CHORAL CONTEMPLATION
An invitation to reflect and contemplate, with a special event as part of Somerville College Choir's Choral Contemplations series.
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90 YEARS OF ARVO PÄRT: OUR GARDEN
Arvo Pärt’s Our Garden is a piece with a smile on its face - lively, jaunty and dramatic. Hear it in this special performance with local children's choirs, accompanied by professional musicians.
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90 YEARS OF ARVO PÄRT: VOX CLAMANTIS
Spine-tingling music from Arvo Pärt with the Grammy award-winning Estonian choir, Vox Clamantis.
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90 YEARS OF ARVO PÄRT: STEN HEINOJA AND M4GNET STRING QUARTET
A double bill giving a chance to hear some of Estonia's most dynamic young musicians, all with close links to Arvo Pärt.
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90 Years of Arvo Pärt: Spiegel im Spiegel and tintinnabuli – Study Day
A chance to delve into the sources and core ideas behind one of Pärt’s most iconic works with speakers from the Arvo Pärt Centre in Estonia.
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90 YEARS OF ARVO PÄRT: THE CARICE SINGERS
A deeply meditative concert in which the ethereal music of Arvo Pärt and Thomas Tallis is woven together.
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Spiegel im Spiegel and tintinnabuli – Study Day
A chance to delve into the sources and core ideas behind one of Pärt’s most iconic works with speakers from the Arvo Pärt Centre in Estonia.
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90 YEARS OF ARVO PÄRT: A PERSONAL VIEW
Arvo Pärt's son, Michael, joins us for a very special event giving a unique insight into Pärt's life and music.
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90 Years of Arvo Pärt: 24 Preludes for a Fugue
Watch an acclaimed 2002 documentary about Arvo Pärt and his life and music. The film explores the inner life and musical thoughts of Pärt through 24 little chapters.
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90 YEARS OF ARVO PÄRT: MERTON COLLEGE CHOIR AND BRITTEN SINFONIA
The opening concert of our Arvo Pärt at 90: A Reflection festival features Pärt's Fratres and Berlin Mass, plus music by Haydn.
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LA NUOVA MUSICA
Mozart's C Minor Mass alongside music by Haydn and Handel.
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KENNETH HESKETH: LIVING GHOSTS
An intimate and evocative concert tracing cycles of memory, transformation and childhood, including a world premiere from composer Kenneth Hesketh.
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GENIUS WITHIN: THE INNER LIFE OF GLENN GOULD
70 years since Gould first recorded the Bach Goldberg Variations, learn more about this enigmatic figure in this revelatory documentary.
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Book Launch: Dr Eleanor Chan’s ‘Duet’
To celebrate the launch of her book ‘Duet’ Dr Eleanor Chan will be in conversation with Dr Kate Kennedy.
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AUSTRALIAN STRING QUARTET
Join this outstanding String Quartet for music from Erich Korngold, Fanny Mendelssohn-Hensel and Justin Williams
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New Zealand Youth Choir
From classics of Western European music to the dynamism of Māori action songs, from emotive spirituals through to music from Samoa be prepared for the incredible vocal skill and unmatched energy of the New Zealand Youth Choir.
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London Mozart Players with Jess Gillam
A concert full of memorable tunes and toe-tapping dances with the electrifying saxophonist Jess Gillam bringing this folk-inspired music for strings to life.
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CANCELLED International Organ Series: Stephen Tharp
Stephen Tharp, who has been recognised as the most well-travelled concert organist of his generation, will be visiting Exeter College for the first time.
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Music for Black Pigeons
The film is an invitation to reflect, and what is clear throughout is that the love of music is universal, and differences in nationality, gender, colour and age are of no concern.
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Vache Baroque: Out of the Deep
Vache Baroque will explore themes of love, isolation, and redemption in an absorbing journey of words and music
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Brighouse and Rastrick Band
Join one of the UK’s finest brass bands for an afternoon that will keep everyone from brass band newbies to connoisseurs entertained.
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Let’s Build a Town!
In Let’s Build a Town (1930) by the German composer Paul Hindemith, children are invited to imagine a city where there are no adults and they are in charge.
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Score: A Film Music Documentary
This documentary brings Hollywood's premier composers together to give viewers a privileged look inside the musical challenges and creative secrecy of the world's most widely known music genre: the film score.
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Engegård Quartet
Following their two previous successful visits to Music at Oxford, the Engegård Quartet returns once again to delight Oxford audiences.
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International Organ Series: Lucile Dollat
The multi-award winning young prodigy Lucile Dollat, organist of Radio France, joins us for her Oxford Debut.
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Christmas at Christ Church 2
Another opportunity to rejoice in the glorious sounds of the Choir of Christ Church Cathedral and their renditions of seasonal music, as well as readings and audience carols, under the expert direction of Peter Holder.
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Christmas at Christ Church 1
Rejoice in the glorious sounds of the Choir of Christ Church Cathedral and their renditions of seasonal music, as well as readings and audience carols, under the expert direction of Peter Holder.
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Family Christmas Concert
Our family-friendly, relaxed, fun, and informal daytime celebration of the festive season returns, with the Frideswide Voices and the Choristers of Christ Church Cathedral Choir.
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Pianomania
The film 'Pianomania' takes the viewer along on a humorous journey into the secret world of sounds, and accompanies Stefan Knüpfer at his unique job, finding and tuning the perfect piano for world famous pianists.
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International Organ Series: David Briggs
David Briggs, Artist in Residence at New York’s iconic Cathedral of St John the Divine, joins us for an organ recital celebrating 19th and 20th century French organ music at Exeter College Chapel.
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Henry Mancini celebration: Breakfast at Tiffany’s
A screening of the classic romantic comedy, Breakfast at Tiffany’s, celebrating the anniversary of the 100th birthday of one of the greatest of all soundtrack composers, Henry Mancini.
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Southbank Sinfonia: Beethoven’s Pastoral Symphony
Southbank SinfoniaThe Southbank Sinfonia brings a fresh approach to familiar favourites from Beethoven, Mendelssohn, and Mozart for the final concert in our Natural World theme.
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Sleep
Documentary, performance, and a reflection of and meditation on the world around us, Sleep follows Max Richter's journey to create the landmark 8-hour live performance for an audience encouraged to sleep while listening.
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SOLD OUT – 12 Ensemble: Recomposed by Max Richter
12 EnsembleMax Richter's phenomenal reworking of Vivaldi's Four Seasons is performed by one of the UK’s most radical classical groups, 12 Ensemble.
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Manchester Collective: The Unfurrowed Field
Manchester Collective, Fergus McCreadieFergus McCreadie and his trio join the Manchester Collective for a joyful fusion of jazz and Scottish folk music.
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The Marian Consort: The Language of Flowers
The Marian ConsortThe Marian Consort present a musical exploration of flowers and gardens, both actual and allegorical.
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Where You’re Meant To Be
This warm-hearted documentary follows Scottish pop raconteur and Arab Strap frontman Aidan Moffat as he tours Scotland, and reveals the influence of travelling folk royalty, Sheila Stewart, on his folk assumptions.
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Mammal Hands
Mammal HandsMammal Hands have forged a growing reputation for their hypnotic fusion of jazz and electronica and their pulsating live performances. Performing music from their most recent album, Gift from the Trees, this is a gig not to be missed.
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Andreas Scholl and Tamar Halperin
Andreas Scholl, Tamar HalperinWe are honoured to welcome superstars countertenor Andreas Scholl and pianist Tamar Halperin to Oxford. Together they perform a full recital featuring a selection of music including Handel arias and cantatas.
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Castalian Quartet: Bartók & Haydn
Castalian QuartetThe Castalian Quartet celebrate Bartók's love of traditional folk music with his 5th String Quartet, alongside Dohnányi's Serenade for String Trio op. 10 and Haydn's String Quartet in A, op. 20, no. 6.
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Christmas at Christ Church 2
Christ Church Cathedral Choir, Steven GrahlJoin us for our famous annual musical celebration of Christmas with Christ Church Cathedral Choir and readers, Antonia Christophers and Noel Byrne.
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Christmas at Christ Church 1
Christ Church Cathedral Choir, Steven GrahlJoin us for our famous annual musical celebration of Christmas with Christ Church Cathedral Choir and readers, Antonia Christophers and Noel Byrne. This is the first of two performances.
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Family Christmas Concert
The Boys of Christ Church Cathedral ChoirBring all the family to this wonderful, relaxed, daytime festive celebration with the Boys of Christ Church Cathedral Choir in the beautiful surrounds of Christ Church Cathedral itself.
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A Jacobean Christmas
The Marian ConsortThe Marian Consort present a festive programme that features early English composers at their most unbuttoned and celebratory, with music written for the famously festive Stuart court.
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The Amazing Nina Simone
Jeff L. Lieberman’s 2015 film documentary reveals the real Nina Simone through over 50 intimate interviews with those who best knew the artistry and intentions of one of America’s true musical geniuses.
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Catrin Finch and Aoife Ní Bhriain
Catrin Finch and Aoife Ní BhriainAoife and Catrin make a formidable musical duo. Their performance is inspired by the cultures of their home countries alongside a multitude of wider influences.
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Vivaldi’s ‘The Four Seasons’
Europa Galante, Nardus Williams, Fabio BiondiOne of the world’s greatest Baroque orchestras, Europa Galante is joined by the winner of the Rising Talent award at the 2022 International Opera Awards, Nardus Williams, in our season opening concert featuring Vivaldi's The Four Seasons.
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Four
A film by Tim Slade, Australia, 2007Four is a documentary that explores four seasons and four continents through four musicians. The musicians act as our guides weaving a captivating journey through their words and inspired performances of Vivaldi’s The Four Seasons.
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20 Years of Quatuor Modigliani
Quatuor ModiglianiTonight’s programme features a selection of the quartet’s favourite pieces: the conclusion of the concert will be Beethoven’s String Quartet No. 13, op. 130, one of his renowned late quartets, with the finale of the work being the famous Grosse Fuge (Grand Fugue) op. 133.
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The Power of Compassion: 50th Anniversary Tour
Tashi Lhunpo MonksFrom mesmerising Buddhist chants to swirling masked dances in ceremonial costumes and accompanied by the sound of ancient Tantric musical instruments, the monks from the Tashi Lhunpo Monastery evoke the atmosphere of sacred Tibet
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Music, the Universal Language of Mankind
A Music Meditation Immersive WorkshopBuilding on the themes of tonight’s concert, join violinist and workshop leader Inês Delgado on the stage of the Oxford Town Hall in this immersive Music Meditation session.
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Albinoni, Rose and Friends
Jupiter Orchestra, Gregory Rose, George CairdFrom one of the oldest, and most loved, oboe concertos to one of the newest, this evening will also feature Janáček’s tuneful and spirited Idyll alongside Tchaikovsky’s heartfelt Serenade for Strings.
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Da pacem Domine (Online)
Estonian Philharmonic Chamber Choir, Tõnu KaljusteAVAILABLE 24 FEBRUARY - 23 MARCH. Watch the opening concert of our ARVO PÄRT...and a Littlemore festival given by the Estonian Philharmonic Chamber Choir on 18 November 2022.
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Esther Abrami and the English Symphony Orchestra
Esther Abrami, English Symphony OrchestraThe English Symphony Orchestra is joined by Esther Abrami to perform one of two Scottish masterpieces and celebrates the 70th birthday of Robert Saxton with the world premiere of his new work inspired by the ancient text, the Epic of Gilgamesh.
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World-Class Brass
Cory BandCory Band has held the number one spot in the official brass band world rankings for 15 years uninterrupted, and today’s concert is a celebration of this ongoing achievement by the Welsh ensemble.
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Christmas at Christ Church 2
Christ Church Cathedral ChoirAnother chance to see Music at Oxford’s famous annual celebration of Christmas. Come to what has now become a firm Oxford tradition for many and welcome in the festive season with us.
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Christmas at Christ Church 1
Christ Church Cathedral ChoirMusic at Oxford’s famous annual celebration of Christmas returns for 2022. Come to what has now become a firm Oxford tradition for many and welcome in the festive season with us.
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The House of Life
Kitty Whately & William VannRalph Vaughan Williams’ monumental song cycle The House of Life – which sets poems by Dante Gabriel Rossetti – sits at the heart of this recital by mezzo-soprano Kitty Whately and pianist William Vann.
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Family Christmas Concert
The Boys of Christ Church Cathedral ChoirA celebration of the festive season for all the family. Come and enjoy the angelic voices of the Boys of Christ Church Cathedral at this special time of year.
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Words (Un)spoken
Raschèr Saxophone Quartet & Schola Cantorum of OxfordAn ARVO PÄRT...and a Littlemore festival event. Andreas van Zoelen’s sensitive adaptations bring an ethereal new element to these well-known works by Pärt, with voices and saxophones fusing together seamlessly in the cathedral’s acoustic.
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Meet the Estonian Composers
An ARVO PÄRT...and a Littlemore festival event. A rare chance to meet two of Estonia's most prominent female composers and hear about their experiences, influences, and inspirations before their works receive important UK premieres later that evening.
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Vigilia Estoniae
The Carice SingersAn ARVO PÄRT...and a Littlemore festival event. With a focus on Estonian female composers, this programme from The Carice Singers celebrates Galina Grigorjeva’s 60th birthday by featuring the UK premiere of her powerful 2017 work Vespers.
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O/Modernt: Cosmic Spaces
O/ModerntAn ARVO PÄRT...and a Littlemore frestival event. Hugo Ticciati has worked closely with Arvo Pärt, and is known equally for his inventive programmes as well as for his captivating playing. This concert features the full orchestra.
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Festival Evensong
Choir of New College OxfordAn ARVO PÄRT...and a Littlemore festival event. The Choir of New College Oxford presents a Festival Evensong placing the sacred music of Arvo Pärt in its liturgical context.
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Fratres: an in-depth exploration
Fratres is one of the best known and most loved musical pieces by Arvo Pärt. We can listen to it in its many versions for ensemble or orchestra, with or without the soloist. But in all these different forms and colours it represents something unique and essential to Pärt’s musical thinking. Come and explore this piece with specialists from the Arvo Pärt Centre in Estonia.
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Arvo Pärt Centre: an open meeting place for creativity
In this presentation and discussion, Anu Kivilo will introduce the concept, and the contents and activities of this open meeting place where the main keywords are “creating” and “creativity”.
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Between Two Sounds
This session explores Joonas’s work, through discussion with the artist, and a presentation of drawings and live drawing from Between Two Sounds, accompanied by pianist Lucie Tenet performing Pärt’s Für Alina and Partita.
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Even if I lose everything
Dorian Supin’s third documentary film of Arvo Pärt steps closer to the composer, showing him in a domestic setting as a composer, husband, father and grandfather. The title ‘Even if I lose everything’ refers to an entry in Arvo Pärt’s musical notebooks, which the composer browses in the film, together with Immo Mihkelson.
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That Pärt Feeling: The Universe of Arvo Pärt
This film explores Arvo Pärt's universe - the intense collaboration he had with the Cello Octet Amsterdam forms the heart of this documentary which features a stunning soundtrack of some of Pärt's most well-known works.
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Songs from Childhood
Festival Children's Chorus and EnsembleAn ARVO PÄRT...and a Littlemore festival event. Arvo Pärt’s Songs from Childhood are among his earliest compositions. Local children's choirs come together to sing this delightful collection of songs in a new version, a UK premiere.
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Chamber Music from Estonia
Duo Kits-HeinojaAn ARVO PÄRT...and a Littlemore festival event. Duo Kits-Heinoja, a highly accomplished cello and piano duo from Estonia who will perform a programme with two famous works by Arvo Pärt at its core.
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Da pacem Domine
Estonian Philharmonic Chamber ChoirAn ARVO PÄRT...and a Littlemore festival event. Music at Oxford is honoured to welcome the Grammy award-winning Estonian Philharmonic Chamber Choir (EPCC). The choir celebrated its 40th anniversary last year and is ‘one of the 10 best choirs in the world’.
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Littlemore Tractus
Estonian Philharmonic Chamber Choir & Christopher Bowers-BroadbentAn ARVO PÄRT...and a Littlemore festival event. The Estonian Philharmonic Chamber Choir and Christopher Bowers-Broadbent give a day-time performance of Pärt's Littlemore Tractus especially for the Littlemore community.
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Two Pianos, Eight Hands
Graham Fitkin and FriendsGraham Fitkin brings four unique musicians together to revel in the unremitting delight of ensemble piano playing. Join Graham, Claire Hammond, Kathryn Stott and Ruth Wall for a joyous evening of music making.
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ONLINE – Rameau: Castor et Pollux
Rameau Project Orchestra & Choir conducted by Jonathan WilliamsThis is the recording of the performance that took place on 15 May. It was the very first chance in the UK to hear Rameau's Castor et Pollux in its original and revolutionary version of 1737 and there’s something for everyone to enjoy: rousing choruses, toe-tapping dances and some of Baroque music’s most beautiful arias.
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Bach’s Doubles and Triples
Irish Baroque Orchestra, Rachel PodgerInternationally renowned violinist, Rachel Podger and the Irish Baroque Orchestra perform concerti that showcase different combinations of instruments including the violin, flute, oboe and harpsichord.
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Brodsky Quartet: 50th Anniversary Celebration
Brodsky QuartetTo celebrate their 50th anniversary, the Brodsky Quartet have brought together a typically thoughtful and varied programme that mixes up musical styles and eras.
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Rameau: Castor et Pollux (1737)
Rameau Project Orchestra & Choir conducted by Jonathan WilliamsThis performance will be the very first chance in the UK to hear Rameau's Castor et Pollux in its original and revolutionary version of 1737 and there’s something for everyone to enjoy: rousing choruses, toe-tapping dances and some of Baroque music’s most beautiful arias.
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Chamber music from the African Continent and Diaspora
Castle of our Skins, Samantha EgePianist Samantha Ege and the Castle of our Skins string quartet present an evening of chamber music from the African continent and diaspora. This concert gives the UK premieres of works by a South African composer and three African American composers.
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Katie Melua presents The Silk Roads Project
Students, Young People, Katie Melua and members of the BBC Concert OrchestraAcclaimed singer-songwriter Katie Melua and the University of Oxford present a one-off musical performance inspired by stories from Professor Peter Frankopan’s The Silk Roads.
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ONLINE PERFORMANCE: Christmas at Christ Church
Christ Church Cathedral ChoirThis concert is a recording of one of this year's live Christmas at Christ Church events.
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Christmas at Christ Church 2
Christ Church Cathedral ChoirOur famous celebration of Christmas features Christ Church's world-renowned choir singing a range of music centred on the Christmas message.
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Christmas at Christ Church 1
Christ Church Cathedral ChoirOur famous celebration of Christmas features Christ Church's world-renowned choir singing a range of music centred on the Christmas message.
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Family Christmas Concert
The boys of Christ Church Cathedral ChoirAll ages are welcome for this family celebration of Christmas - audience participation required!
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Amy Winehouse: A celebration of her life & music
National Youth Jazz OrchestraThis concert celebrates Amy’s enduring legacy, reimagining hits and revisiting early works she sang with NYJO as a promising 16-year-old.
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Bizarrium!
English Cornett & Sackbut EnsembleA loud and exuberant exploration of a 'cabinet of curiosities' - music written in the 16th and 17th centuries.
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Venice & Bologna
La SerenissimaLa Serenissima returns with a programme from the 18th century that celebrates the creative hubs of Venice and Bologna.
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Fauré’s Requiem & Bach | Tenebrae & Aurora Orchestra
Tenebrae & Aurora OrchestraThis concert is completely sold out. If we receive any returns on the door, these will be available from 6.15pm at the main door of the Sheldonian Theatre. Cash only, please. Ian Ritchie | Pre-concert talk at 6:30pm Award-winning choir Tenebrae performs its interpretation of Fauré’s Requiem, described as ‘devastatingly beautiful’ Gramophone Magazine and ‘simply mind-blowing’ The […]
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Bach, the Universe & Everything | The Beauty of Mathematics
Orchestra of the Age of EnlightenmentDue to some late cancellations, we now have a handful of tickets left for today’s concert. These can be purchased by cash or card at the venue from 4.30pm; our box office table is near the main entrance of the Mathematical Institute. ‘When we see images of the strange mathematical beasts lurking at the heart of […]
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Family Christmas Concert
The Boys of Christ Church Cathedral ChoirThis family Christmas concert welcomes all ages, come and feel the spirit of Christmas with the Boys of the Christ Church Cathedral Choir.
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Bach, the Universe & Everything | The Creativity Code
Orchestra of the Age of Enlightenment‘When we see images of the strange mathematical beasts lurking at the heart of the natural world – fractal landscapes, the Fibonacci series, the strange attractors that beat at the heart of chaos – it is always the dizzying spirals of Bach that come to mind.’ Douglas Adams Fresh from two successful seasons in London, […]
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Percussion & Piano
Online sales for tonight’s concert are now disabled, but are available on the door (card or cash) from 6.30pm. As a special offer, students can get tickets for just £5 on production of student ID. Dynamic duo Siwan Rhys and George Barton’s performances encompass the fullest range, from classical festivals to club-nights. Formed in 2013, […]
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Weimar Republic Centenary | From Richard Strauss to Kurt Weill
TICKETS ON THE DOOR, AVAILABLE FROM 6:30PM AT SJE ARTS The centenary of the Weimar Republic marks Germany’s first democratic but flawed constitution, arguably one of the most liberal and progressive ever penned at the time. However, its weaknesses also aided Hitler in his rise to power in 1933… In the Berlin of the time, […]
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Leonardo: Shaping the Invisible | I Fagiolini
I FagioliniOnline sales are no longer available for tonight’s concert, however we still have tickets available in all areas, which will be on sale at Door C of the Sheldonian Theatre, from 6.00pm tonight. I Fagiolini with guest speaker, and Leonardo expert, Professor Martin Kemp Painter, sculptor, architect, engineer, pioneer of flight, anatomist, scientist – yet […]
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Bach, the Universe & Everything | Mathematics and the Brain
Orchestra of the Age of Enlightenment‘When we see images of the strange mathematical beasts lurking at the heart of the natural world – fractal landscapes, the Fibonacci series, the strange attractors that beat at the heart of chaos – it is always the dizzying spirals of Bach that come to mind.’ Douglas Adams Fresh from two successful seasons in London, […]
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KOTTOS
KOTTOSWith their diverse programmes, KOTTOS’ electrifying and eclectic performances are not to be missed. The players’ vibrant arrangements – often of dances and folk songs by well-known composers – have met with critical acclaim, and their launch album was awarded Danish Radio’s classical station’s Listeners’ Prize. 2019 has already seen the group accompanying Danish Queen […]
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Handel Athalia: Oxford Bach Choir
OBC: Handel AthaliaHandel's Athelia is the only oratorio conducted by the composer in Oxford, now the Oxford Bach Choir performs the masterpiece to celebrate the 250th anniversary of the Sheldonian Theatre.
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Gaz Coombes
Gaz Coombes & FriendsGaz Coombes will play a charity concert at the Sheldonian Theatre to mark the 350th anniversary of Christopher Wren’s iconic building. The former Supergrass frontman and Mercury Prize nominated artist who returns to his home city from UK and US tours and performances on Later… with Jools Holland, The Late Late Show with James Corden and Jimmy Kimmel Live will perform […]
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Joanna MacGregor – piano
Joanna MacGregorJoanna MacGregor’s eagerly awaited return to Music at Oxford is an offering of Romantic masterpieces from the Austro-Germanic tradition.
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Natalie Clein and Doric String Quartet
Natalie Clein & the Doric String QuartetCellist Natalie Clein and the celebrated Doric String Quartet join forces for a special evening of collaborative music-making.
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Merton College Choir and Berkeley Sinfonia, directed by Benjamin Nicholas
Merton College ChoirEspecially celebrated for its glorious setting for soprano of the Laudate Dominum, Mozart’s Solemn Vespers perhaps reflects some of his feelings on the death of his mother. Coupled with the serene motet, Ave Verum Corpus and the Missa Brevis, this is a feast of Mozart to enjoy in the beautiful setting of Merton College Chapel, […]
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The Cardinall’s Musick
The Cardinall's MusickThis programme features some of the most famous and powerful music written for Holy Week including the iconic Miserere by Allegri with its legendary top Cs and Palestrina’s eight-part setting of the Stabat mater which so captivated Richard Wagner. Included also is a portion of Victoria’s Tenebrae Responsories designed for Good Friday and two rarely heard […]
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Craig Ogden
Craig OgdenCraig Ogden returns to the Sheldonian Theatre with a treat for guitar aficionados. His concert brings together repertoire adapted for the guitar by master composers Dowland and Bach, and highlights from the canon of classical guitar music including vibrant works by Albeniz, Coste and Mangoré. Dowland Lachrimae Pavane, Fantasia No. 7 J S Bach Lute […]
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Empowered Women Trilogy: Into the Melting Pot
Empowered Women Trilogy: Into the Melting PotThe Lives and Soundtrack of Christian, Jewish and Arabic Women in Medieval Spain Blurring the boundaries of what a concert is, The Telling bring you three intimate “concert-theatre” pieces to mark International Women’s Day 2019, transporting you back in time through plaintive ballads, lively dance music and dramatic narrative. The Empowered Women Trilogy celebrates the […]
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Empowered Women Trilogy: Unsung Heroine
Empowered Women Trilogy: Unsung HeroineThe Secret Life and Love of Troubadour Countess Beatrix De Dia Blurring the boundaries of what a concert is, The Telling bring you three intimate “concert-theatre” pieces to mark International Women’s Day 2019, transporting you back in time through plaintive ballads, lively dance music and dramatic narrative. The Empowered Women Trilogy celebrates the lives of […]
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Empowered Women Trilogy: The Vision, The Imagined Testimony of Hildegard von Bingen
Empowered Women Trilogy: VisionBlurring the boundaries of what a concert is, The Telling bring you three intimate “concert-theatre” pieces to mark International Women’s Day 2019, transporting you back in time through plaintive ballads, lively dance music and dramatic narrative. The Empowered Women Trilogy celebrates the lives of three extraordinary women who defy the strictures of their time and […]
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Empowered Women Trilogy: Fiona Maddocks Talk
Empowered Women Trilogy: Fiona Maddocks TalkBlurring the boundaries of what a concert is, The Telling bring you three intimate “concert-theatre” pieces to mark International Women’s Day 2019, transporting you back in time through plaintive ballads, lively dance music and dramatic narrative. The Empowered Women Trilogy celebrates the lives of three extraordinary women who defy the strictures of their time and […]
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Point & Counterpoint
Villiers Quartet: Point & CounterpointThe Villiers Quartet celebrate a new venue for Music at Oxford audiences with an exploration of fugal intricacy from musical giants Mozart and Beethoven. They also present a buoyant work from Haydn, the father of the genre, characterised by balance, proportion and order – some perfect music to experience in the finely-crafted surroundings of the […]
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Bach’s B minor Mass
Academy of Ancient Music | TenebraeBach’s resplendent B Minor Mass is a sublime highlight of the choral repertoire, both magnificent and deeply moving. Hear it in the hands of a peerless choir and this most established of period instrument ensembles. J S Bach Mass in B Minor Make sure to get to the Town Hall earlier at 6.30pm for a […]
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Christmas at Christ Church: Christ Church Cathedral Choir
Christmas at Christ ChurchMusic at Oxford’s annual celebration of carols in this iconic cathedral brings together our popular mix of festive cheer and seasonal nostalgia. Christ Church’s world-class choir sing a range of music centred on the Christmas message, under the new direction of Steven Grahl, with spirited readings and audience carols to share. Early booking is essential!
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La Notte Di Natale
La Notte Di NataleEvoking the pastoral beauty of the Italian countryside, this selection of joyous seasonal music combines virtuosic solos with characterful dances. Conjuring a frosty landscape with Vivaldi’s Winter, and two of Alessandro Scarlatti’s most celebratory cantatas – depicting the excitement and astonishment of the shepherds seeing angels in the night. Baroque ensemble Spiritato!, with its line-up […]
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Prussians & Russians
Villiers Quartet: Prussians & RussiansThe first of two performances by the former Quartet-in-Residence at the Faculty of Music juxtaposes two statuesque Russian chamber works with the first of Mozart’s Prussian quartets. Borodin’s 1881 quartet, dedicated to the composer’s wife, is famed for its soulful Notturno. Shostakovich wrote Op.73 following the censure of his 9th Symphony by the Soviet authorities; […]
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Academy of Ancient Music
Academy of Ancient MusicA ravishing programme is conducted by the splendid Michael Collins, who puts his love of the clarinet at the heart of this concert, with a performance of Mozart’s Clarinet Concerto by soloist Nicola Boud. This is preceded by two of Mozart’s most vibrant symphonies, a set of his beguiling arias sung by Soraya Mafi and […]
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Handel: Radamisto
Handel's RadamistoRadamisto was one of Handel’s most appreciated operas, not least for its famous aria Ombra cara, which stunned audiences and was sung in drawing rooms for decades thereafter. It tells a dramatic story of a royal family in old Armenia, locked in mortal conflict. Thematically, it champions faithfulness and married love, but it also has […]
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Joanna Gutowska
Joanna GutowskaJ S Bach provides the starting point for a tour of repertoire for solo cello with this outstanding Polish cellist. Gaspar Cassado, a splendid Spanish virtuoso cellist of the early 20th century, is represented with his playful and lovely suite, Michael Berkeley and David Matthews in elegaic mood, and Manos Charalabopoulos, a recent Royal Philharmonic […]
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A French Songbook: Véronique Gens
Véronique GensVéronique Gens is one of the world’s most sought-after singers, renowned most of all for her interpretation of the French mélodie, together with American pianist Susan Manoff. We are thrilled to bring her to Oxford for the first time for a recital of songs by Gounod, Massenet, Duparc and others. An unmissable Festival highlight. Gounod […]
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A Serenade to Music
A Serenade to MusicThis year’s opening night is a wonderful gala concert. Four world-renowned soloists perform songs and ensembles by Schubert, Schumann, Debussy, Saint-Saëns and others. Schola Cantorum of Oxford is city’s leading choir and we are delighted that they will join us to conclude the concert with Ralph Vaughan Williams’s extraordinary Serenade to Music, setting words from […]
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The City Choir of Washington
The City Choir of WashingtonAt the heart of this sumptuous choral programme is Fauré’s transcendent Requiem, flanked by shorter works which include TCCW’s own commission of Sir John Tavener’s Tolstoy’s Creed. We are pleased to welcome this pre-eminent US choir to Oxford, under the direction of one of America’s major choral conductors. Approaching its 10th anniversary, TCCW is comprised of 120 […]
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Royal Academy of Music Chamber Orchestra
Royal Academy of Music Chamber OrchestraVIOLIN JULIE SVECENA VIOLA YUGO INOUE The Royal Academy of Music collaborates with many eminent international partners, such as the Juilliard School in New York. This concert celebrates the Academy’s friendship with Japan and, in particular, its close links with Tokyo Geidai. A joint orchestra from both institutions will be performing in London, Oxford and Tokyo under […]
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Elgar: The Apostles
Merton College ChoirSOPRANO SOPHIE BEVAN MEZZO SOPRANO VIRGINIE VERREZ TENOR DAVID BUTT PHILLIP BASS MARCUS FARNSWORTH BASS ASHLEY RICHES BASS JULIAN EMPETT A rare opportunity to hear this magnificent work, given as part of the celebration of the tenth birthday of Merton College’s phenomenally successful choir. Believed by many, including his close friend and publisher Jaeger, to contain […]
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Handel’s Attic
Used throughout the Baroque and Classical eras as a private tool for composing, practice and meditation, the clavichord remained in regular use into the nineteenth century. The last thirty years have witnessed a quiet musical revolution: the clavichord is no longer the Cinderella of the keyboard world. Join the conductor and keyboardist Julian Perkins to […]
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Dorothy Parker Takes a Trip
A musical and dramatic foray into the verbally lacerating, gilded but wasted, ardently political world of Dorothy Parker and her era in letters, essays and poems, with live music and songs by George Gershwin, Harold Arlen, Cole Porter, Rodgers & Hart, Hoagy Carmichael and others. Dorothy Parker Takes a Trip was commissioned by and premiered […]
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The Silent Pianist Speaks
Neil Brand, musician, writer and broadcaster (BBC’s The Film Programme, Sound of Cinema, Music that made the Movies) welcomes us to the world of early cinema. The Silent Pianist Speaks is one of the most unique and memorable shows you will see, celebrating the great filmmakers of the Silent Era and the magic of the […]
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Bagatelles after Beethoven
Once a year Presteigne Festival brings one of its projects to MaO as part of a UK wide tour. The tour enables the festival’s highly-respected work, the commissioning of music to sit alongside existing repertoire, to go be shared across the UK. In our 2016-17 season we welcomed Clare Hammond and James Turnbull who gave […]
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Rachel Podger
Brecon BaroqueMusic at Oxford is delighted to welcome Rachel Podger back to another series, this time accompanied by her own acclaimed ensemble, Brecon Baroque. Vibrant, dynamic performances are the hallmark of Brecon Baroque, and over the last decade they have delighted many audiences thanks to their tours of Europe and Japan. Rachel and Brecon Baroque’s debut CD, Bach Violin […]
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Fretwork: The World Encompassed
FretworkWhen Drake set sail from Plymouth in 1577, he took with him four viol players who had little clue that this would be such an epic journey. They played music to accompany Drake’s worship and sang hymns to the viols; they entertained him while he ate and he also used their playing to impress the […]
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Villiers2
Villiers QuartetThe culmination of the Villiers’ residency in Oxford, thanks to the Faculty of Music with support from the Radcliffe Trust, forms this glorious concert of two much-loved works interspersed with a lesser-known quartet by Hubert Parry. Mendelssohn’s op. 80 – with its dramatic opening movement and searing Adagio – was composed as an homage to […]
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Erik Satie: Memoirs of a Pear-Shaped Life
Erik Satie was a complex, eccentric and lonely man. Devised and written by Meurig Bowen, Memoirs of a pear-shaped life showcases the full, startling breadth of the composer’s piano output and interweaves Satie’s diaries and reflections on his riotously varied, chaotically creative and intermittently dysfunctional life. The music includes many of Satie’s most enduring keyboard […]
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Orchestra of the Age of Enlightenment: Benedetti & Alsop
Orchestra of the Age of EnlightenmentA musician always confounding expectations, violinist Nicola Benedetti makes her debut with the Orchestra of the Age of Enlightenment this evening. She’s joined by conductor Marin Alsop for a programme of Beethoven performed with pure unvarnished musicality. OAE’s brilliant musicians follow up on their last Oxford performance, an exhilarating Beethoven evening with Sir Roger Norrington, […]
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Villiers1
THE VILLIERS QUARTETMusic at Oxford invites you to join us in witnessing the Villiers Quartet’s final year of residency at the Faculty of Music. They have programmed two engaging evening concerts for our 2017-18 season. Their November evening concert opens with Haydn’s famous Fifths quartet, so called because a motif based around falling fifths dominates the opening […]
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I Fagiolini
I FagioliniIn 1640 Monteverdi published a collection of his other church music that hadn’t been contained in the ‘1610 Vespers’ so familiar today. From this later, no less sonorous or virtuosic collection, I Fagiolini and the English Cornett and Sackbut Ensemble offer a Vespers for a Venetian event with which we know Monteverdi to have been […]
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OAE: Der Rosenkavalier
Orchestra of the Age of EnlightenmentThis season Music at Oxford is excited to be collaborating with the Oxford Lieder Festival. This evening is one of two spectacular concerts focusing on the last of the Romantics. Experience Der Rosenkavalier as a silent film accompanied by the Orchestra of the Age of Enlightenment. Strauss’ peerless opera Der Rosenkavalier, set in Vienna, premiered in […]
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OAE: Concert
Orchestra of the Age of EnlightenmentThis season Music at Oxford is excited to be working in collaboration with the Oxford Lieder Festival on two spectacular events. This concert is the opening night of the 2017 Oxford Lieder Festival, which focuses this year on Mahler and fin-de-siècle Vienna. The programme features two of Mahler’s seminal works in captivating arrangements for chamber orchestra, […]
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ETO: Dardanus
English Touring OperaDardanus – Rameau’s ravishing, romantic tale of love and war – is English Touring Opera’s first foray into the exotic world of French baroque opera. It is also the premiere in the UK of the revised 1744 version, which is widely considered to be the composer’s masterpiece. Jupiter’s son Dardanus is in love with Iphise, […]
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