A benefit gig in celebration of Oxford International Women's Festival '24.

Fierce and fun , cheeky and charming, badass and beguiling, Feisty Choir sing acapella songs songs by, about and celebrating women's lives.

We are thrilled to be joined by the fabulous and funny Tina Sederholm.

" Dripping with hope and self-mockery" Edinburgh Festival's ThreeWeeks

" A poet and performer of exceptional prowess" Daily Info

Limited Tickets
Funds raised for OSARCC

The Friend's Meeting House
43 St Giles',
Oxford OX1 3LW,

This is a unique opportunity to sample the work of Oxford student composers working in a number of different contemporary classical and experimental electronic genres. Tonight’s recital juxtaposes electronic music with live solo performances.

https://jdp.st-hildas.ox.ac.uk/event/und...

ELENA FISCHER-DIESKAU

Friday, 23 February 2024 - 7:30pm
£28 stalls / £35 gallery / £5 students

Mel Bonis: Women of Legend (7 pieces)
Clara Schumann: Variations on a Theme by Robert Schumann, Op. 20
Robert Schumann: Waldszenen (Forest Scenes), Op. 82
Robert Schumann: Sonata no. 2 in G minor, Op. 22

Fischer-Dieskau comes to the JdP for a debut programme that couples substantial pieces by two leading nineteenth-century women composers, Mel Bonis and Clara Schumann, with two contrasting pieces by Clara’s husband, Robert. The music of the French composer Mel Bonis (1858-1937) is a key recent rediscovery. Her choice of seven legendary female figures for her piano pieces suggest an interest both in tragedy (Phoebé, Mélisande, Desdémona, Ophélie) and in tales of seduction (Viviane, Omphale and Salomé).

pre-concert talk at 6.45pm

https://jdp.st-hildas.ox.ac.uk/event/ele...

F. Mendelssohn: String Sinfonia No. 1 in C major
L. Spohr: Nonet for Flute, Oboe, Clarinet, Horn, Bassoon, Violin, Viola, Cello, and Double Bass in F major, Op. 31
L. van Beethoven: String Quintet in C major, Op. 29

C. Saluste-Bridoux - violin
J. Liebeck - violin
B. Roskams - viola
S. Oswell - viola
T. Carroll - cello
C. Miles - cello
S. Watton - double bass
J. Bliss - clarinet
Nicholas Korth - horn
G. Eckersley - bassoon
The Festival Players

As usual, the finale crowds the stage with most of our Festival players. A nonet is pretty much the largest chamber grouping short of a string orchestra and we have a wonderful example from Spohr, known both for his violin virtuosity as well as his compositions. A very early work by Mendelssohn is indeed for string orchestra and, although young, he demonstrates astonishing musical talent. We conclude with a work new to the Festival, Beethoven’s only string quintet, often given the soubriquet “Storm” from its turbulent last movement. It is a transitional work between his early and middle periods and a little known and fascinating work from the great master.

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.