Ask anyone to
name a living, British composer and chances are theyıll say John Rutter. And who could imagine a Christmas
Concert without his Donkey Carol or Shepherdıs Pipe Carol? Oxford Philomusica is no
exception and has gone one step further by not just including his carols and
arrangements but securing the great man himself to conduct the whole concert!
Full orchestra,
chorus, mighty organ played by John Birch and internationally acclaimed
baritone soloist Roderick Williams will be under Rutterıs masterful direction
in a ³to die for² Christmas Concert.
The concert opens with excerpts from Bachıs Christmas Oratorio and then moves effortlessly through the centuries with Rossiniıs Cinderella Overture, Berliozıs Shepherdıs Farewell and Graingerıs Shepherdıs hey to the present day with John Tavener and of course, John Rutter. Truly, something for all the family with traditional carols for audience participation. Your opportunity to sing under the baton of one of the music worldıs living legends.
For further information, pictures and interview opportunities, please contact Carole Radford: 01753 771849; 07770 543616, Carole@caroleradfordpr.com
1. The
Oxford Philomusica was founded in 1998 and has since developed to become the most
significant musical resource in Oxford.
It was launched with a concert at Londonıs Barbican Centre in November
1998 and gave its Oxford debut the following February at The Sheldonian
Theatre. A television
documentary, produced by the Foreign and Commonwealth Office, highlighted the
Oxford Philomusicaıs mission to establish a professional symphony orchestra in
the University City and was broadcast to an audience of over 400 million people
world-wide. As recognition of its
work, the Oxford Philomusica was honoured at a reception at 10 Downing Street
in April 2002, hosted by Cherie Blair.
In
February 2001, Vladimir Ashkenazy,
Patron of the Oxford Philomusica, appeared with the orchestra as soloist and
conductor at Oxfordıs Apollo Theatre and again on 12 May 2003, for a
performance at St Jamesıs Palace in the presence of HRH Prince Phillip, Duke
of Edinburgh. The concert was held in aid of the Princeıs own charity: The
Outward Bound Trust. Internationally acclaimed soloists who
have appeared with the orchestra include Steven Isserlis, Angela Hewitt,
Cristina Ortiz, Oxana Yablonskaya, Maurice Hasson, Jean-Bernard Pommier, Igor
Oistrakh, Charles Rose, John Lill, Chloe Hanslip and Peter Donohoe. The Oxford Philomusicaıs diverse range
of promotions and other activities have made a considerable contribution to
Oxfordıs musical life, attracting critical praise and securing a supportive
audience for its work.
Beyond Oxford, the orchestra has
extended its touring programme to undertake visits to Switzerland, Cyprus and
Azerbaijan. In March 2000, the
Oxford Philomusica performed before a capacity audience at the prestigious Sale
Gaveau, Paris, and in November 2002 received high critical acclaim following
its appearance at the Athens Megaron.
Its commitment to performing in London continued with a concert given at
the Queen Elizabeth Hall in February 2000 with further concerts planned.
2. In August 1999, the Oxford Philomusica presented the first International Piano Festival to be held in Oxford, in collaboration with the European Piano Teachers Association. Described as "the most significant annual musical event in the city" (Oxford Times), the Oxford Philomusica International Piano Festival now enjoys an international reputation as a centre of learning for the musicians of tomorrow. The festival attracts a world class line up of visiting artists of the highest calibre and widest possible breadth of musical experience and the 2003 International Piano Festival intends to build on its enviable record by offering an embarrassment of riches from the piano world.
2002 saw welcome returns by such
esteemed artists as Cristina Ortiz, Niel Immelman, Bryce Morrison, Maria
Curcio, Marios Papadopoulos, Malcolm Troup and Malcolm Young.
Distinguished new participators included John Lill,
Christopher Elton, Jack Gibbons, Martino Tirimo and Charles Rosen. Demand for residential places exceeded
previous years with students travelling from around the world in order to be
part of this unique musical experience.
This year the Festival runs from 3-10 August 2003.
3. Education and Community work, a central part of the orchestraıs mission, continues to grow. Oxford Philomusica has funded pilot projects in the Wood Farm area of Oxford and at the Oxford Hospital School. The success of these schemes, together with close collaboration with hospital boards, has led to a proposal for Oxford Philomusica to become the resident orchestra at the John Radcliffe Hospital.
4. Marios
Papadopoulos, Founder and Music Director
of the Oxford Philomusica, made his London debut in 1974, since when his career
as pianist and conductor has developed on the international stage. His
interpretations of the Beethoven Sonatas, currently being recorded, have
compared with those of Schnabel, Brendel, Barenboim and Kempff (Daily
Telegraph and Classic FM Magazine Criticsı Choice).
5.
In October 2002, Oxford
Philomusica was appointed Orchestra in Residence at the University of Oxford. This unique
appointment is for an initial five-year period and offers a wider reaching
programme of mutual benefit to the University and orchestra. As part of the
University Residency, Oxford Philomusica will continue to collaborate with the
Faculty of Music on its student education programmes and to establish major
conferences and colloquia . The
highly successful Orchestral Apprenticeship Scheme, now in its fifth year, will
continue to provide orchestral experience and coaching to selected
students. Also available are
conducting classes, masterclasses and individual training given by Oxford
Philomusica musicians.
6.
7.
In addition, the Orchestra
hopes to develop a number of pioneering schemes with other University
departments using its resources of professional performing musicians to explore
non-musical areas of work and research such as medical and neurological
research, the psychology of music and performance and the effects of music on a
childıs ability to learn.
8.
Robert Saxton was recently
appointed as composer-in-residence and will take up the post in September 2003.
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