Caprice and conviction from Oxford Phil

By Roy Westbrook, 27 October 2017

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“There was none of the usual lyrical relaxation here, but rather a passionate urgency”

Reviewed at Sheldonian Theatre, Oxford on 26 October 2017

Rachmaninov, Piano Concerto no. 2 in C minor, Op.18

Liszt, Hungarian Rhapsody no. 2 in C sharp minor, S 244/2

Shostakovich, Symphony no. 5 in D minor, Op.47

Khatia Buniatishvili, Piano

Marios Papadopoulos, Conductor

Oxford Philharmonic Orchestra

Natalia Lomeiko, Violin

Unsatisfying Mendelssohn from Eschenbach and the Oxford Philharmonic

Patrick Maxwell, 20th March

The Oxford Philharmonic offers uninspiring renditions Bach and Mendelssohn, highlighting both the strengths and weaknesses of the orchestra under the baton of Christoph Eschenbach.

**111

Stars shine on Oxford Philharmonic's 20th anniversary concert

Roy Westbrook, 12th January

When did three such luminaries last grace the same concert, let alone the same first half?

*****

In Memoriam: Strauss and Brahms from the Soloists of the Oxford Philharmonic

Jason Weir, 11th November

Impeccable musicianship from the string soloists of the Oxford Philhamonic in stirring accounts of Brahms' String Sextet in G major and Strauss' Metamorphosen.

****1

Last minute replacement fails to dampen enthusiasm

Aaron Davies, 6th March

Valery Gergiev's late withdrawal meant Marios Papadopoulos, music director of the Oxford Philharmonic, stepped into the Russian's shoes.

****1

Karina Canellakis skippers a French voyage

Mark Pullinger, 28th January

Oxford may well be far from the coast, but it played host to a bracing French voyage last night at the Sheldonian Theatre.

***11

Scintillating in Prokofiev: Martha Argerich at Oxford

Roy Westbrook, 21st January

Fifty years on, Argerich is still the legendary tigress of the keyboard, yet more besides.

****1

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Roy Westbrook

Roy Westbrook gained a diploma in music history at London University (Morley College) and was for some years the head of music day schools at Oxford University, where he also led music summer schools. After some years leading the University's business school he has returned to music teaching and writing, and recently took part in the Arts in Residence courses on Bruckner, Mahler and Bach He is co-author (with Terry Barfoot) of a history of opera, and has taught day schools on Sibelius in Oxford and elsewhere.

Caprice and conviction in the Oxford Philharmonic's Russian concert