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OXFORD PHILOMUSICA AT THE
ATHENS FESTIVAL 2004
No-one could have predicted the problems the organisers of the Athens Festival were faced with on Monday 5 July. That was the day on which the Oxford Philomusica Orchestra were scheduled to perform in the Herod Atticus. It also became the day the victorious Greek football team were to be afforded a hero¹s welcome in the adjacent stadium also open air!
City centre roads were closed and security heightened. Tempers, however, remained good humoured and no-one could deny the Greeks their moment of glory. They appeared slightly incredulous and more surprised than anyone at having won a major tournament. The only way to cope was to relax and savour the atmosphere.
Amazingly,
a still large audience gathered to see and hear Oxford Philomusica¹s 100-strong
orchestra, who rose to the occasion and gave a thrilling performance of
Mahler¹s First Symphony. Strings
soured and wind and brass echoed majestically, matching the magnificence of the
amphitheatre.
Any members of the audience wondering if they¹d made the right decision in missing the football event were convinced from the first notes, as the orchestra struck up the familiar tune of the Greek National Anthem, much appreciated as a recognition of increased national pride.
Encores were demanded and Elgar¹s Pomp and Circumstance, together with the Olympic Theme satisfied a delighted audience. The mood in Athens was indeed joyful.
For further information, pictures and interview opportunities, please contact Carole Radford:
01753 771849; 07770 543616, Carole@caroleradfordpr.com
THE OXFORD PHILOMUSICA
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 2004 International Piano Festival intends to build on its enviable record by offering an embarrassment of riches from the piano world.
Visiting artists reads as a Who¹s Who in the Piano World and includes: Cristina Ortiz, Maria Curcio, John Lill, Jack Gibbons, Martino Tirimo, Dmitry Bashkirov, Dmitry Alexeev, Piers Lane and Menahem Pressler. Selection is by audition for residential places as Participants and in 2004 demand exceeded the number of available places 3 weeks before the closing date. Next Festival dates: 24-31 July 2005.
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 Kempf (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.