"Warmest wishes to the paricipants of the Piano Festival. I hope you will

make wonderful music and that you enjoy the very appreciative public in

Oxford." Vladimir Ashkenazy, Patron of the Oxford Philomusica.

For the fourth year the Oxford Philomusica plays host to a dozen of the worldπs leading keyboard masters at its International Piano Festival which runs from 4-11 August 2002.

Where would you go to attend a lecture given by Charles Rosen, participate in masterclasses with Mario Curcio or Cristina Ortiz; then listen to a recital given by John Lill? ≠ all within a day? Oh, and also be in one of the UKπs most beautiful and inspiring cities? The Oxford Philomusicaπs International Piano Festival is where! And that is just a typical example, as another day might offer Jack Gibbons, Niel Immelman, Christopher Elton and Martino Tirimo. To quote The Times, the Festival offers not merely a feast but ≥..a banquet of lectures, masterclasses and recitals.≤

The Festival has been acknowledged as ≥ä..the most exciting musical event in Oxford for many years.≤ (Oxford Times) and has earned an enviable reputation for the teaching, performances and lectures given by artists of the highest calibre.

One of this yearπs highlights will be a class focusing on the role of pianist in chamber music to be given by the great Menahem Pressler. Presslerπs contribution to the Festival also includes a Chamber Music concert in the magnificent Sheldonian Theatre with principals from the Oxford Philomusica, before which he will be ≥in conversation≤ with Rob Cowan.

Lecture topics will include Beethovenπs åDiabelliπ Variations given by Malcolm Troup and ≥Episodic Continuity?≤ ≠ the case of the 19^th century piano sonata by Susan Wollenberg. Andrew Stewart will advise (tongue in cheek?) on ≥Deconstructing the Critics≤ and Kate Jones on ≥Keeping your Nerve≤.

All classes, lectures and concerts are open to the public and take place in some of the cityπs most beautiful and historic venues, including, for the first time, the magnificent New College Chapel ≠ the setting for recitals by Cristina Ortiz and John Lill.

Previous participants have been unstinting in their praise for the opportunities to work closely with the great keyboard masters and for the inspiration they took back with them. Students have travelled from around the world to attend, including countries as far afield as Australia, the Far East, Russia and across Europe. They unanimously agreed that to spend a week in the company of some of the greatest pianists and teachers in the world was truly awe-inspiring and quite unique.

Artistic Director Marios Papadopoulos, himself a renowned concert pianist and teacher writes ≥At the Oxford Philomusica International Piano Festival we aim to impart as much knowledge as possible to the next generation of pianists and help ensure that they become all-round musicians. If playing or listening to the piano is part of your life, whether as performer, student or music lover, a visit to the Festival will offer something for everyone as we continue in our mission to provide a musical resource for the city of Oxford and beyond.≤

Concert Details:

5 August 2002 Piano Recital by Cristina Ortiz

20:00 New College Chapel

Rachmaninov Variations on a Theme of Corelli

Chopin Barcarole in F sharp major, Op 60

Scherzo No 4 in e major, Op 54

Debussy Two Arabesques ≠ Reflects dans lπeau ≠ LπIsle joyeuse

Villa-Lobos Impressıes Seresteiras ≠ Valse da dor ≠ Festa no sert„

6 August 2002 Piano Recital by John Lill

20:00 New College Chapel

Beethoven Sonata Op 27, No 2 (Moonlight)

Sonata Op 53 (Waldstein)

Sonata Op 106 (Hammerklavier)

7 August 2002 Piano Recital by Jack Gibbons

20:00 Holywell Music Room

Liszt Benediction de Dieu dans le Solitude

Funerailles

Alkan Concerto for solo piano

8 August 2002 Symphony Concert by the Oxford Philomusica

20:00 Sheldonian Theatre

Beethoven Piano Concerto No 3 in C minor

Symphony No 1 in C

Piano Charles Rosen

Conductor Marios Papadopoulos

10 August 2002 Chamber Music Concert

20:00 Sheldonian Theatre

Menahem Pressler with principals from the Oxford Philomusica

Beethoven Piano Quintet

Mozart Piano Quintet

Prices for concerts on application. Masterclasses: £12, Lectures £5

For information, request a full festival brochure or to purchase tickets for all events please call 0870 6060804.

For further information, pictures and interview opportunities, please contact

Carole Radford: 01753 771849; 07770 543616.

Notes for Editors

The Oxford Philomusica gave its first concert in November 1998 at Londonπs Barbican Centre. It made its Oxford debut on 2 February 1999, joined by Steven Isserlis in performances of works by FaurÈ and Saint-SaÎns and concluding with Brucknerπs Te Deum. Highlights from its work since include its Sheldonian Theatre performance of Beethovenπs Ninth Symphony, part of an ongoing series of the composerπs orchestral works introduced by television newsreader and Beethoven expert John Suchet; the London premiere of The Persians by Periclis Koukos at the Queen Elizabeth Hall; Verdiπs Requiem at the Apollo Theatre; the FaurÈ Requiem with Patricia Rozario and a performance of Tchaikovskyπs Symphony No 6 together with the 14-year old prodigy Lucas Vondracek playing Prokofievπs Piano Concerto No1 ≠ to mention just 2 of this seasonπs concerts in the Sheldonian Theatre.

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 Criticsπ Choice).

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. Last yearπs festival attracted another world class line up of visiting artists of the highest calibre and widest possible breadth of musical experience and the 2002 International Piano Festival intends to build on its enviable record by offering an embarrassment of riches from the piano world.

Welcome returns are made by such esteemed artists as Cristina Ortiz, Niel Immelman, Bryce Morrison, Maria Curcio, Marios Papadopoulos, Malcolm Troup and Malcolm Young. Distinguished new participators include John Lill, Christopher Elton, Jack Gibbons, Martino Tirimo and Charles Rosen. Demand for residential places has already 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 4-11 August 2002.

The Oxford Philomusica has developed a scheme in association with the University of Oxford Faculty of Music to provide orchestral experience and conducting seminars to selected students. Philomusica players are extending the scheme next academic year, offering tuition to students enrolled on the Orchestral Studies Course. The orchestra recently collaborated with the university on a highly successful colloquium on Bach, linked to a performance of the B minor mass at the Sheldonian Theatre.