1 November 2001
For immediate release
EAST MEETS WEST AS JAPAN JOINS THE OXFORD
PHILOMUSICA FOR THEIR WINTER CONCERT SERIES 2001
The Oxford Philomusica¹s tribute to Japan 2001
comprises three concerts in which the works of leading Japanese composers will
be performed by outstanding Japanese musicians and the Oxford Philomusica
Orchestra. Held in Oxford¹s
historic venues, this celebration and mingling of cultures demonstrates the juxtaposition between Japanese and Western music with 2
recitals and a major orchestral concert being held on consecutive days: 6, 7, 8 December 2001.
The Japanese composer Toru
Takemitsu is featured in all 3 concerts,
his works showing influences from Debussy and Messiaen alongside his own
characteristic musical language.
Later contact with John Cage encouraged him to explore traditional
Japanese music and make use of its instruments. Cage also had a profound influence over another featured
composer, Toshi Ichiyanagi and to whom
Ichyanagi dedicated one of the pieces for piano being performed in this Oxford
Series.
Both recitals will be held in the intimate atmosphere of
the Holywell Music Room, the first of which will be given by the
extraordinarily talented Japanese pianist Asuka Nakamura on 6 December. This will be followed
with a violin recital by Oxford Philomusica¹s brilliant co-leader, Yo
Yasuraoka on 7 December. The Oxford Philomusica¹s Japan 2001
series ends with an Anglo Japanese Symphony Concert on Sunday 8
December in the beautiful Sheldonian Theatre. Conducted by its Music
Director Marios Papadopoulos, the Oxford
Philomusica Orchestra will be joined by the brilliant Japanese violinist Joji
Hattori, as they perform works by Elgar
and Vaughan Williams alongside music by Ikuma Dan and three film scores by Toru
Takemitsu.
Christmas this year is being celebrated by the Oxford
Philomusica Orchestra and Chorus as they
unite under the baton of Marios Papadopoulos for Bach¹s magnificent
Christmas Oratorio, on 17 December in the Sheldonian Theatre.
Chorus Master Andrew Stewart has secured a first class line up of
soloists for this sublimely beautiful and popular work.
The Season opens on 16 November with the first of two concerts in our highly
successful Beethoven Series,
both introduced by the inimitable Beethoven exponent John Suchet in the Sheldonian Theatre. The first concert presents the magnificent
Triple Concerto and Fourth Symphony and
the second on 18 January 2002
with 2 wonderful works: The Second Symphony and Fourth Piano Concerto. This
affords an opportunity to hear Marios Papadopoulos as he leads the concerto
from the piano. His highly
acclaimed performances have led critics such as BBC Music Magazine to describe
his playing of Beethoven as being ³masterlyŠŠŠ. impressive playingŠ² and by Music
Week as being ³ŠŠdistinguished by majestic playing and insightful
interpretation².
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OXFORD PHILOMUSICA 1 NOV
01
The final concert on 12 February 2002 promises to be a sublime feast for lovers of voice,
as the magnificent soprano Patricia Rozario ³The Voice of the Millennium² (BBC Women¹s Hour)
performs the ethereal Eternity¹s Sunrise and Song of the Angel by Sir
John Tavener. The Oxford Philomusica Chorus again joins the Orchestra for
one of the most popular of all great choral works, Faure¹s Requiem.
In a recent interview with the Oxford Times, Vladimir Ashkenazy, Patron of the Oxford
Philomusica, talked about Oxford audiences
deserving a first-class resident symphony orchestra. This he felt they had in the Oxford Philomusica and he
declared his commitment to securing its future. The maestro backed words with
action as he to a performed to a packed Apollo theatre in a concert with the
Oxford Philomusica last February.
Oxford Philomusica promises to do likewise in this, its
fourth concert season, by bringing performers and performances of the highest
calibre to its supporters and audience.
For further
information,
pictures and
interview opportunities,
please contact
Carole Radford PR:
01753 771849; 07770 543616.
Carole@CaroleRadfordPR.com
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