There’s no holding back Orchestra of St John’s this season as it prepares for a stunning concert series featuring big names from Michael Palin to Channel 4’s Michael Howell.
Sir Michael Palin will be interviewed about his life, opinions and the music that means the most to him in The Music in my Life at The Sheldonian on Dec 5, as OSJ play his eclectic mix live.
But first, Strings and Songs kicks off the fun on Saturday (Sept 21) at SJE Arts, Oxford featuring Michael Howell who burst onto our screens in Channel 4’s The Piano with Claudia Winkleman.
Michael is a singer, pianist, young, black, self-taught and autistic musician, who creates new music and aims to overcome challenges within the music industry and society, through his music.
He is the soloist in two concerts of classic favourites for strings and voices including Vaughan Williams Lark Ascending, Elgar String Serenade, and Barber Adagio for choir, as well as his personally composed Great is the Grief and Rise again, accompanied hy Jan Schmolck violin, OSJ Voices and OSJ, the second concert following on at Dorchester Abbey on October 19.
Those of you who prefer a daytime option will enjoy Bach ‘The Musical Offering’ on October 20 – a concert with lunch at New House in Hanney, part of an OSJ fundraiser hosted by Robert and Caroline Jackson with works for the harpsichord, flute, violin, and cello as well as pieces by Arvo Pärt, Moody and Shaw. Expect a charming afternoon of intimate music, delicious food and wonderful company.
Mozart’s most ambitious mass again plays out at both Dorchester Abbey and SJE Arts on November 16 and 23. The “Great” Mass in C Minor is always a firm favourite, its vivacious melodies and vocal acrobatics by the Salzburg’s master composer.
Throw in Mozart‘s Ave Verum, Bruckner‘s Motets and Beethoven‘s piano concerto no 5 ‘Emperor’ with sopranos Hannah Davey and Hannah Fraser-Mackenzie, tenor Xavier Hetherington, bass Frazer Scott, pianist Rupert Egerton-Smith plus OSJ Voices and Orchestra of St John’s and you’re in for a night to remember.
But perhaps national treasure Sir Michael Palin’s: The Music in my Life steals the crown in OSJ’s autumn line-up, being interviewed at The Sheldonian by Sue Cook of Crimewatch, Nationwide and Children in Need fame on Dec 5 about his life, opinions, and the music that has meant the most to him.
From his humble beginnings in Sheffield to his ascent as one of the most beloved figures in British entertainment, Michael Palin’s journey is marked by an unwavering commitment to storytelling, curiosity, and a boundless passion for exploration. As a comedian, actor, writer, and adventurer, he has traversed continents, enchanted audiences, and left a lasting legacy on British culture.
OSJ will play his chosen pieces live in the concert hall in an eclectic programme which includes Feeling Good Nina Simone, Karelia Suite Sibelius, Hallelujah Leonard Cohen, El salon Mexico Aaron Copland, Winter from The Seasons Vivaldi, Cello Concerto in E minor Elgar, Lullaby of Broadway and Talk To Me of Mendocino Kate and Annie McGarrigle.
And don’t forget the special OSJ community youth concert with the Leiden twinning association on October 5 at SJE Arts when Carmina Burana will be performed alongside opera arias and choruses with singers from Unicorn School, Rosehill Primary and Rosehill community centre, percussionists from Holland,
Jon French on piano, Hannah Davey soprano, Dominic Bevan tenor, Daniel Barrett bass and OSJ Voices.
So book now to avoid disappointment and enjoy a diverse and thoroughly entertaining season of classical music with OSJ. For these concerts and more go to https://www.osj.org.uk/forthcoming-concerts/
