Oxford Chamber Music Festival 2024 is taking us on a joyful adventure next week as it launches ‘These Enchanted Isles’ – a series of concerts, lectures and film by world famous musicians celebrating the extraordinary wealth of music composed in the UK in some of Oxford’s most beautiful and historical venues.
OCMF Founder Priya Mitchell says: “Sometimes it’s easy to forget the extraordinary wealth of music composed in the UK, which captures the spirit, vision and beauty of ‘These Enchanted Isles’. Some works are already known and much loved, but we’ll also celebrate unfamiliar masterpieces that are significant landmarks in the musical heritage of these islands.”
Here is our TOP 10 round-up of what to see at OCMF 24:
- 1) O Albion – Quatuor Ébène, Monday September 23, Christ Church Cathedral, 8pm. One of the world’s great string quartets launches this year’s festival, with Haydn’s ‘Sunrise’ quartet, Britten’s Three divertimenti, Adès’ O Albion and Beethoven’s Grosse Fuge. The concert is dedicated to one of OCMF’s most ardent supporters Dr Chris Kenyon of Beaumont Elms Surgery in Oxford who died unexpectedly this month. Book here https://www.ticketsoxford.com/events/o-albion
2) ‘4’ the film, Phoenix Picturehouse, Walton Street, Sunday Sept 22 – 6pm, Monday Sept 23 – 5pm. An independent cinema documentary on one of the world’s most exciting string quartets Quatuor Ebène. One of the finest, most sensitive films ever conceived about music, it takes viewers along on the quartet’s tour of Italy, concentrating on the four musicians’ long-standing relationship. This behind the scenes, intimate depiction explores the antagonism between ambition and reality. https://www.picturehouses.com/movie-details/014/HO00014951/4
3) Discoveries – Reto Bieri, Guy Johnston, Polina Leschenko and friends, Wed September 25, Holywell Music Room, 7.45pm A scintillating Swiss treatment of Irish folk music; vivid music for children from a 20th century Romantic; and a wistful waltz for a Georgian drawing room. Book here https://www.ticketsoxford.com/events/discoveries
4) Shape of my Heart – Hugo Ticciati, Priya Mitchell, Reto Bieri, O/Modernt Chamber Orchestra, Thursday September 26, SJE Arts at St John the Evangelist Church, 7.30pm. Two contrasting 20th-century works: Vaughan Williams’ English summer and Britten’s tribute to mentor Frank Bridge, seasoned with Purcell’s majestic Rondo, made famous in Britten’s Young Person’s Guide, and rousing instrumental arrangements of sprightly folktunes and some of the finest popular songwriting. Book here: https://www.ticketsoxford.com/events/shape-of-my-heart
5) Sacrifices – Julius Drake, Priya Mitchell, Dirk Mommertz and friends, Friday September 27, Holywell Music Room, 1pm. Elgar’s magnificent piano quintet is one of his last masterpieces, written around the end of the Great War. Before the quintet, MacMillan’s haunting meditation on the wood of Christ’s cross, and Sally Beamish‘s commission for 2018’s OCMF Festival, about leaving her Scottish home of many years, to return to England. Book here: https://www.ticketsoxford.com/events/sacrifices
6) A Little Known Masterpiece – Elisabeth Leonskaja and Julius Drake, Friday September 27, Holywell Music Room, 6pm. An unmissable opportunity to hear one of the keyboard giants, Elizabeth Leonskaja, on a rare visit to the UK, playing a composer very close to her heart. With Julius Drake, she tackles the bold and brilliant Grand Duo, full of unforgettable melody. https://www.ticketsoxford.com/events/a-little-known-masterpiece
7) Hidden Treasures – Natalie Clein, Julius Drake, Hugo Ticciati, Reto Bieri and friends, Friday September 27, Holywell Music Room, 8pm. From 16th-century William Byrd, a great Renaissance composer, to Henry Purcell, who defined Restoration London and Britten’s 1970’s string innovations. Tavener then embarks on “a journey from Paradise to Paradise” and finally George Benjamin’s crystalline piano studies. Book here https://www.ticketsoxford.com/events/hidden-treasures
8) Radiance, Romance and a Rocket – Natalie Clein, Priya Mitchell, Linda Suolahti and friends, Sat September 28, Holywell Music Room, 1pm. An 18th-century manuscript found at Christ Church revealed Handel’s chamber version of Water Music, originally composed for a Royal Thames pageant, enjoyed again here. Plus Bridge’s fine Phantasy and Oxford-based Jennifer Walshe‘s very funny performance piece for a multi-tasking ‘cellist, and some Radiant Romance. Book here: https://www.ticketsoxford.com/events/radiance-romance-and-a-rocket
9) Farewell! – Polina Leschenko, Julius Drake, Priya Mitchell and friends, Sat September 28, Holywell Music Room, 7.30pm. Vaughan Williams’ Piano Quintet; Finzi’s pastoral Eclogue; Delius’ romanticism; Elgar’s early Serenade. The festival ends with a beautiful Scottish farewell. Book here https://www.ticketsoxford.com/events/farewell
10) OCMF Workshop: Lovers of Story and Song, Saturday, September 28, Clore Music Studios, New College, 11am-1pm. Singer and performer Emma Bonnici presents a unique workshop for lovers of story and song, based on the initiation of folk songs, and their connection and relevance to Emma as well as what songs can teach us about life. No priory experience is necessary. Suggested donation £15. Book here https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/ocmf-workshop-lovers-of-story-and-song-tickets-1020927179677?utm_experiment=test_share_listing&aff=ebdsshios
And don’t miss: OCMF 2024 Gala dinner with artists, Sat September 28, Vaults & Garden, Oxford, 9.30pm. Join the artists and OCMF team to celebrate the close of the festival. Enjoy a two-course organic dinner and wine while enjoying impromptu performances from festival musicians. Limited tickets so early booking advised. https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/ocmf-2024-dinner-party-with-the-artists-tickets-1008639878027?aff=oddtdtcreator
OCMF 24 runs from Monday Sept 23-Saturday September 28. Tickets for 18-15 year-olds are free, you can buy a Festival Pass which provides access to all 13 events, buy tickets on the door or book individually at https://www.ocmf.net/tickets/
