The newly rebranded Oxford Philharmonic Orchestra launches a star-studded season at the Sheldonian Theatre, with touring and recordings with Maxim Vengerov and Nigel

Kennedy

Saturday 10 October

Opening of the season Sheldonian Theatre, Oxford -

Michael Barenboim Time: 7.30pm Mendelssohn

Hebrides Overture, op. 26, ‘Fingal’s Cave’

Violin Concerto in E minor, op. 64 Mozart

Symphony no. 40 in G minor, k. 550

Michael Barenboim violin

Marios Papadopoulos conductor

Sunday 8 November – London Cadogan Hall, London –

Maxim Vengerov Time: 7pm

Brahms Violin Concerto in D major, op. 77

Tchaikovsky Symphony no. 5 in E minor, op. 64

Maxim Vengerov violin

Marios Papadopoulos conductor

“What a privilege for me to play in this great majestic Sheldonian

theatre and with such a fantastic orchestra.” Maxim Vengerov

The Oxford Philharmonic Orchestra (formerly Oxford Philomusica) and their founding Music Director Marios Papadopoulos announce a star-studded 2015/2016 season with Renée Fleming, Vadim Repin, Nicola Benedetti, Pinchas Zukerman, Nigel Kennedy and Maxim Vengerov, all of whom relish performing in the Sheldonian Theatre, Oxford, – the Orchestra’s unique and intimate home. The Oxford Philharmonic has

rebranded to reflect a global outlook as it steps onto the international platform.

Following the season opening with Michael Barenboim in October, Marios Papadopoulos will bring the Oxford Philharmonic to London’s Cadogan Hall with Maxim Vengerov to perform Brahms' Violin Concerto. Since their first concert together in 2013, Maxim Vengerov has developed a close affinity with the players of the Oxford Philharmonic, becoming the

Orchestra’s Artist in Residence two years ago. The residency sparked the idea of creating a series of recordings, starting with the Brahms Violin Concerto, alongside Vengerov’s concert appearances and education work with the Orchestra. Vengerov rejoins the Oxford Philharmonic for concerts in Oxford (5 June 2016) and the Barbican (6 June 2016), performing a rarely heard early version of the Sibelius Violin Concerto from 1904, which they recorded together last month.

“The orchestral players in the Oxford Philharmonic never fall into a routine of just coming to their daily job, which is quite rare. You can see that the musicians are in love with music. So of course for me as a soloist, it has been a wonderful experience.” Maxim Vengerov

Since Marios Papadopoulos established the Orchestra 16 years ago, the Oxford Philharmonic has grown steadily in stature, now attracting some of the world’s leading musicians as soloists and conductors, such as Valery Gergiev, András Schiff, Lang Lang, Anne-Sophie Mutter, Vladimir Ashkenazy, Nigel Kennedy and Maxim Vengerov who hold the orchestral players in high regard. They cherish the opportunity to perform with this world-class Orchestra and in the intimate surroundings of the Sheldonian Theatre. The impressive caliber of musicians within the Oxford Philharmonic Orchestra includes some of the UK’s finest players who are attracted to the flexibility, variety of work and artistic quality. Stable membership has enabled the Orchestra to field a recognisable team of players for their concerts.

“It’s obvious that there is a plan, it’s a very ambitious one, to bring first rate orchestral music and artists to Oxford.”

Thomas Martin, Solo Bass

The Oxford Philharmonic became the Orchestra in Residence at The University of Oxford in 2002. Now its annual orchestral series totals 40, with its visionary Music Director intending to increase this to 60 by the

Maxim Vengerov gives a masterclass to an Oxford University violin student

2017/18 Season. Redefining an orchestra’s status in the 21st Century, the Oxford Philharmonic's residency marked the first of its kind at such a prestigious seat of learning.

In 1999, it established the Oxford Piano Festival and Summer Academy, which this summer will present Barry Douglas, Ivo Pogorelić, Dénes Várjon, Sir András Schiff, Menahem Pressler and Leon McCawley in concert across multiple venues in Oxford as well as lectures by Alfred Brendel and Byron Janis.

As part of its University residency, the Oxford Philharmonic Orchestra has greatly enhanced its relationship with the students by providing regular tuition with its world-class orchestral players and masterclasses with star soloists, and by creating an annual Composers’ Competition, a Young Artist’s Platform, an Apprenticeship Scheme and opportunities to record with the College Choirs (e.g. Haydn’s Creation).

“I’ve just graduated from Oxford and I was very lucky that throughout my three years here I had a relationship with the Oxford Philharmonic that really made a huge difference to my time here.”

Savitri Grier, violinist-winner of the inaugural Concerto Competition 2012, and Anne-Sophie Mutter masterclass participant

Their main orchestral venue, the Grade I listed Sheldonian Theatre, was built between 1664 and 1668 after a design by Christopher Wren. Handel conducted the first performance of his third Oratorio Athalia there in 1733 and Haydn’s Symphony no. 92, subsequently nicknamed the ‘Oxford’, was performed here in the presence of the composer following his acceptance of a Doctorate. The Theatre seats 800 people and provides a unique and engaging acoustic experience. The Orchestra also regularly uses the 200-seater Holywell Music Room for chamber recitals, which is Europe’s oldest purpose-built concert hall.

Now the Oxford Philharmonic's plans are to tour internationally and in following seasons, this will include a New York residency and international touring with Maxim Vengerov and the Elgar Violin Concerto in addition to a German tour with Vadim Repin. Whilst increasing their international outlook, the Orchestra and Music Director Marios Papadopoulos will continue with their invaluable work in the community, in hospitals and in local primary and special schools such as the progressive Mulberry Bush.

Oxford Piano Festival and Summer Academy 2015

Sunday 26 July to Monday 3 August

Alfred Brendel, Barry Douglas, Byron Janis, Yoheved Kaplinsky, Mari Kodama, Leon McCawley, Marios Papadopoulos, Ivo Pogorelić, Menahem Pressler, Ferenc Rados, Sir András Schiff, Dénes Várjon, Rita Wagner, Asaf Zohar.

“Marios’ festival is unique, I’ve given masterclasses - a hundred, all over the world but Marios not only attains the highest artistic events here but it’s like a big family. The young pianists have the benefit of hearing what these great achievers and great artists of the world have to say about the music.”

Dame Fanny Waterman, Chairman and Artistic Director of the Leeds International Pianoforte Competition

Highlights of the 2015/16 season

Saturday 10 October 2015 Venue: Sheldonian Theatre - Michael Barenboim Time: 7.30pm Mendelssohn Hebrides Overture, op. 26, ‘Fingal’s Cave’ Violin Concerto in E minor, op. 64 Mozart Symphony no. 40 in G minor, k. 550 Michael Barenboim violin Marios Papadopoulos conductor Sunday 8 November 2015 Venue: Cadogan Hall, London - Maxim Vengerov Time: 7pm Brahms Violin Concerto in D major, op. 77 Tchaikovsky Symphony no. 5 in E minor, op. 64 Maxim Vengerov violin Marios Papadopoulos conductor

Saturday 28 November 2015 Venue: Sheldonian Theatre – Nicola Benedetti Time: 7.30pm Prokofiev Violin Concerto no. 2 in G minor, op. 63 Elgar Variations on an Original Theme, op. 36, 'Enigma' Nicola Benedetti violin Marios Papadopoulos conductor Saturday 23 January 2016 Venue: Sheldonian Theatre - Vadim Repin Shostakovich Violin Concerto no. 1, op. 77 Mussorgsky (Ravel) Pictures at an Exhibition Vadim Repin violin Marios Papadopoulos conductor Friday 1 April 2016

Friday 1 April 2016 Venue: Sheldonian Theatre - Pinchas Zukerman Beethoven Romance in G major for Violin and Orchestra Symphony no.1 in C major, op. 21 Tchaikovsky Melodie for Violin and Orchestra in E-flat major, op. 42 Serenade Melancolique for Violin and Orchestra in B-flat minor, op. 26 Pinchas Zukerman violin/conductor Friday 8 April 2016 Venue: Sheldonian Theatre – Renee Fleming Wagner Die Meistersinger von Nürnberg Prelude and Liebestod from Tristan and Isolde Strauss Four Last Songs Saturday 23 April 2016 Venue: Sheldonian Theatre – Nigel Kennedy Vivaldi Four Seasons Sunday 5 June 2016

Venue: Sheldonian Theatre - Maxim Vengerov Elgar Violin Sonata in E minor, op. 82 Tchaikovsky Symphony no.6 in B minor, op. 74 ‘Pathetique’ Maxim Vengerov violin Marios Papadopoulos conductor Monday 6 June 2016 Venue: Barbican Centre – Maxim Vengerov Sibelius Violin Concerto in D minor, op. 47 Tchaikovsky Symphony no. 6 in B minor, op. 74 ‘Pathetique’ Maxim Vengerov violin Marios Papadopoulos conductor Thursday 16 June 2016 Venue: Sheldonian Theatre – Sir Andras Schiff Schubert Symphony no. 5 in B flat major, D.485 Beethoven Piano Concerto no. 2 in B flat major, op. 19 Haydn Harmoniemesse in B flat major

Biographies

Oxford Philharmonic Orchestra

The Oxford Philharmonic is one of the leading Orchestras in the UK. Praised as ‘excellent’ by Gramophone Magazine and ‘thoroughly impressive’ by BBC Music Magazine, the Orchestra’s reputation is based on the uncompromising artistic standards of its founder and music director, Marios Papadopoulos, and maintained by some of the finest musicians in London, Oxford and the Thames Valley. The Oxford Philharmonic's achievements include an extensive concert season at the Sheldonian Theatre; outstanding recordings of Haydn’s Creation with New College Choir, and the Handel/Mendelssohn Acis and Galatea with Christ Church; major celebrations of Mozart, Haydn and Beethoven; hugely popular family concerts; and its annual Piano Festival and Summer Academy. Since 2002, the Oxford Philharmonic has enjoyed a close association with the University of Oxford as its first-ever Orchestra in Residence. Beyond its home region, the Orchestra appears often in London and other parts of the UK and is rapidly expanding its overseas touring programme and its recording catalogue.

Marios Papadopoulos

Marios Papadopoulos is the founder, music director and driving force behind the Oxford Philharmonic, Orchestra in Residence at the University of Oxford. Described by The Times at his 1975 piano recital debut as ‘having all the attributes of one of the world’s greatest players’, Papadopoulos has gone on to enjoy an international career both as pianist and conductor. He has appeared as soloist with and conducted many of the world’s great orchestras, and worked with a host of eminent musicians including Vladimir Ashkenazy, Hélène Grimaud, Nicola Benedetti, John Lill, Menahem Pressler, Maxim Vengerov, Nigel Kennedy and Lang Lang. His recordings of the Beethoven Sonatas have been set on a level with Schnabel, Brendel, Barenboim, and Kempff (Daily Telegraph, Classic FM Magazine Critics’ Choice). Papadopoulos was awarded an MBE in the Queen’s 2014 New Year’s Honours List for services to music in Oxford.

www.oxfordphil.com

For more information please contact:

Nicky Thomas Media

info@nickythomasmedia.com | www.nickythomasmedia.com

020 3714 7594 | 07768 566 530