J.S. Bach - “Goldberg” variations, BWV988

Danny Driver - piano

Arguably the most towering work for solo keyboard, certainly in the Baroque, is played for us by an old friend of the Festival, Danny Driver. This is the first keyboard performance of this seminal work at the Festival; a few years ago we had the arrangement for string trio by Dimitry Sitkovetsky. The original keyboard version is however incomparable.

H. Parry: “My heart is like a singing bird”
L. Bernstein: “I Hate Music”
F. Schubert: “An die Musik”, D547
H. Wolf: “Mörike” Lieder - An eine Äolsharfe
J. Brahms: “An ein Veilchen” Op. 49 No. 2
J. Marx: Nocturne
C. Franck: Nocturne
Rita Strohl: 12 chants de Bilitis: Bilitis–La nuit–Berceuse
F. Poulenc: 2 poèmes de Louis Aragon
Cheryl Frances-Hoad: “Something More Than Mortal”
Emile Paladilhe: “Psyché”
Henri Duparc: “L'invitation au voyage”
Kaija Saariaho: 4 Instants - “Parfum de l'instant”
Deborah Pritchard: “Everyone Sang”
S. Barber: “A slumber song of the Madonna”
I. Gurney: “Sleep”
Errollyn Wallen: “Peace on Earth”

C. Sampson - Soprano

J. Middleton - piano

The album by which this recital is inspired is Carolyn’s 100th! An electric mixture of classics including pieces from Schubert and Brahms and new compositions from Pritchard, Frances-Hoad and Wallen make this a concert not to be missed.

L. van Beethoven: Sonata for four hands in D major, Op. 6
M. Ravel: “Mother Goose” Suite
G. Fauré. “Dolly” Suite, Op. 56
G. Holst: A selection from “The Planets” Suite, Op. 32

K. Apekisheva
C. Owen

Katya and Charles are old friends of the Festival, both in the guise of solo pianists and in their renowned duo. Their matinee concert starts with one of Beethoven’s earliest works and then moves onto suites: three of the most famous in the repertoire, two from French composers, one English. “Mother Goose” and “Dolly” are a great deal of fun; “The Planets”, more serious!

F. Berwald: Grand Septet for clarinet, bassoon, horn, violin, viola, cello & double bass in B-flat major
R. Vaughan-Williams: Piano Quintet in C minor
J. Brahms: Piano Quartet No. 2 in A major, Op. 26

J. Bliss - clarinet
G. Eckersley - bassoon
M. Owen - horn
J. Liebeck - violin
B. Roskams - viola
C. Miles - cello
S. Watton - double bass
A. Savary - piano
C. Saluste-Bridoux - violin
S. Oswell - viola
T. Carroll - cello
K. Apekisheva - piano

The stage, very full for the delightful and undeservedly neglected septet by Franz Berwald, gradually empties as our second evening concert progresses. The Vaughan-Williams piano quintet is also a newcomer to the Festival. Composed between 1903-5, it was greatly influenced by our final composer, Brahms. His A major quartet is one of his finest works, infrequently programmed because of its length. It too is a first at the Festival, completing our survey of Brahms’ wonderful piano quartets.

R. Schumann: Adagio and Allegro, Op. 70
B. Britten: Cello Sonata in C Major, Op. 65
G. Fauré: Cello Sonata No. 2 in G minor, Op. 117
F. Chopin: Introduction and Polonaise Brillante, Op. 3 arr. Rose/Gendron/Jacobs-Perkins
N. Boulanger: Trois Pièces pour violoncelle et piano
S. Prokofiev: Cello Sonata in C Major, Op. 119

Annie Jacobs-Perkins - cello
Lili Bogdanova - piano

Our partnership with the Pierre Fournier Award always produces a memorable concert. Two years ago we were treated to the sublime artistry of the previous winner, Rainer Crossett. This year’s winner, Annie Jacobs-Perkins continues this tradition with a programme from composers ranging across all of Europe and across classical, romantic and modern styles.

Sally Beamish: Carnival Samba (2003) for Piano Trio
J. Brahms: Piano Trio No. 1 in B major, Op. 8
A. Schoenberg: “Verklärte Nacht” for String Sextet, Op. 4

J. Liebeck - violin ]
T. Carroll - cello ] The Salieca Piano Trio
A. Savary - piano ]
C. Saluste-Bridoux - violin
S. Oswell - viola
B. Roskams - viola
C. Miles - cello

We open the music side of the Festival with a bang - a big-boned samba by well known British composer and violist Sally Beamish. The remainder of the programme appears to consist of two early works. Brahms is represented by his sparkling first piano trio. However, he substantially revised it in 1889, smoothing off some of his youthful excesses. Schoenberg’s “Verklärte Nacht” is gorgeously romantic, a style he soon dropped in favour of the intricacies of twelve-tone technique.

The Oxford Sinfonia is delighted to welcome another Young Musician of the Year winner, Oxfordshire's own Sasha Canter. Sasha was the Brass Winner last year and he will play Hummel’s popular Trumpet Concerto.

Gregory Rose conducts us in a programme of Beethoven’s Coriolan Overture, Roussel’s Concerto for Small Orchestra, Hummel’s Trumpet Concerto in E flat, Weber’s ‘Oberon’ Overture, Gregory Rose’s ‘Esterhazy’ (world premier) and Mozart’s Symphony no. 38 in D ‘Prague’.

Palestrina's masterpiece Missa Papae Marcelli is programmed with works by his pupils including Allegri (of Miserere fame), Fux, Nanino and Soriano

Young Performers’ Recital Concert

In honour of Shauni McGregor

Sunday 17th March 2024, 6.30pm

Chipping Norton Town Hall

It offers a wonderful opportunity for keen younger performers who have the enthusiasm and ability to perform, and would like to stretch themselves beyond the festival’s routine classes. It will not be adjudicated and gives performers time and ‘space’ to demonstrate flair and originality with their choice of a short well-prepared programme. We will accept performers in any discipline, although if the recital is oversubscribed we will make selections to ensure having a balanced programme.

There are no grade requirements, the young performers can choose anything they are able to perform with confidence, sharing their musical achievements and aspirations, engaging a supportive audience. As this is a recital rather than a festival class, entrants will be expected to show a professional attitude in their appearance and all aspects of presentation, including introducing their music, and acknowledging appreciation and applause.

FOLK EVENING
FRIDAY MARCH 15th, 7.30pm
At THE CHEQUERS, Goddards Lane, Chipping Norton, OX7 5NP. 01608 644717
Come and join in an informal session of jolly tunes and songs in a warm and welcoming setting.
Bring your instruments, (any kind!) - your voices and enthusiasm,
The more – the merrier! Make it a good ‘un!
Your host – Paul Bryan, (the Flying MorrisMan)
For more details contact Liz Teall - 07969 132215 – liz@lizteallpottery.com
NB: A small contribution towards the Festival would be much appreciated