Beyond

In previous years I've been to several concerts that are part of the Oxford Chamber Music Festival (OCMF) and they have always been a revelation or exhilarating or, more often, both. Priya Mitchell's programming is inspired.

So it was this evening, in the cathedral, with a pairing in the second half of Thomas Adès (b. 1971)'s O Albion and Beethoven's Grosse Fuge, neither of which I knew. Honestly, I got lost between the composers. I have no idea how Priya selects pieces of music that work so well together.

Quatuor Ébène, the quartet playing, were quite extraordinary. However hard most musicians try to make one sound, I am always aware that it is four (or six, or whatever) different people playing together. The best of them have a conversation. Not so with Quatuor Ébène. They meld completely. Timing, rhythm, pitch, anticipation, emotion... as if they were a soloist.

This year I have treated myself to a festival pass so for the next six days I will be immersing myself in the musically unexpected.

I do not understand why people don't travel from across Europe for this festival. It ought to have sold out months ago. Let me know if you're up for 2025. Or even this Saturday.


Black and white in colour 293