FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
OXFORD PHILOMUSICA THE
ORCHESTRA IN RESIDENCE AT THE UNIVERSITY OF OXFORD PRESENTS ITS FIFTH
INTERNATIONAL PIANO FESTIVAL 3-10 AUGUST 2003
If you like the piano, you¹ll
love this!
Whether soloist, amateur
player, student or music lover, Oxford Philomusica¹s International Piano
Festival 2003 is offering something for everyone, in a full week dedicated to
the instrument and its music.
In 1999, Oxford Philomusica
presented its first Piano Festival, which was hailed as ³the most significant
annual musical event in the city.²
(The Oxford Times). It has
since become an annual feature in the orchestra¹s diary of events, attracting a
global reputation for the peerless quality of the teaching and masterclass opportunities
it offers.
This year the Festival
offers, once again, a truly impressive line-up of renowned figures from the
piano world including Dmitri Alexeev, Boris Berman,
Maria Curcio, Christopher Elton, Gordon Fergus-Thompson, Niel Immelman, Peter
Jablonski, Hamish Milne, Marios Papadopoulos and Menahem Pressler. For the first time, the Festival will
explore the role of pianist as accompanist in a Duo Song Class given by one of
the world¹s leading exponents in the field: Julius Drake. Young pianists will be nurtured
this year by Judith Burton, winner of the 1982 Private Teacher of the Year
Award.
The Festival,
which runs from 3-10 August 2003, takes place in the heart of Oxford, one of
the UK¹s most beautiful cities. A
warm, friendly atmosphere, historic venues for ³a banquet of lectures,
masterclasses and recitals² (The Times), all contribute to a stimulating and inspirational week
for all.
Participation
options range from full time participant, to full time or part time observer,
with or without accommodation. All
classes, lectures and concerts are also open to the public.
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 London¹s 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 Philomusica¹s 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 Oxford¹s Apollo Theatre and again on 12 May 2003, for a
performance at St James¹s Palace in the presence of HRH Prince Phillip, Duke
of Edinburgh. The concert was held in aid of the Prince¹s 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 Philomusica¹s diverse range
of promotions and other activities have made a considerable contribution to
Oxford¹s 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 orchestra¹s 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 Critics¹ 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.
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
child¹s ability to learn.
Ends