Music at Oxford is kicking off 2014 in style, as Nicola Lisle discovers

Still on a high from the launch of its 30th anniversary season in October, Music at Oxford is starting the new year exactly as it started its birthday celebrations — with a visit by the prestigious Philharmonia Orchestra and its charismatic conductor Andris Nelsons.

The concert, which takes place at the Sheldonian next weekend, is part of the Philharmonia’s national Brahms cycle, which was launched last autumn to pay homage to the great composer’s main orchestral works at a number of city venues across the country. October’s concert included the first and third symphonies and the St Anthony Variations; this time, the orchestra turns its attention to the masterful Symphony No.4 and the epic Second Piano Concerto, for which they will be joined by French piano virtuoso Hélène Grimaud.

“We’re all really excited about this,” says operations manager Harriet Green. “For our first concert, Andris Nelsons wasn’t very well, and Jac von Steen, the Dutch conductor, flew in at the last minute. So fingers crossed Andris will be there next week.

“He’s going to Boston in 2015, to be the music director there, so that’s another reason why we’re particularly looking forward to having him back. He’s an absolute superstar. “The Philharmonia is doing all the Brahms concertos and symphonies, so it’s a pretty big deal and we’re really lucky to be able to put on two of those. This one’s a bit of a logistical nightmare, because we’ve got to get the piano out during the interval. But it is really exciting.”

The concert is dedicated to the memory of Graham Pye, the former managing director of Pye Homes, MAO’s principal sponsor. “He provided vital support to Music at Oxford during his time, and we couldn’t have managed without him,” Harriet says.

The Philharmonia concert very much sets the pace for the rest of the season, which has plenty more musical treats in store. A late addition to the line-up is violinist James Ehnes, who dazzled audiences last year with his expert demonstrations in The Dawn of the Stradivarius, held to mark the launch of the Ashmolean Museum’s Stradivarius exhibition. James will be bringing his recently-formed Ehnes Quartet to St John the Evangelist Church for a programme of Mendelssohn, Bartók, Suk and Ravel.

“We’re delighted to have him back after such a successful concert with the Stradivarius,” says Harriet.

“It was brilliant, and he’ll be playing the same violin, the ‘Marsick’.”

Ehnes’ concert also marks the launch of Music at Oxford’s Friends and Patrons scheme, which will entitle members to priority booking, free programmes, reserved seating, invitations to interval receptions and recognition in concert programmes, depending on the level of membership.

Other big names appearing during the season include the Elias String Quartet, acclaimed tenor Ian Bostridge, legendary mezzo-soprano Sarah Connolly, popular pianist Paul Lewis, guitar duo the Katona Twins, rising piano star Benjamin Grosvenor and the Endellion String Quartet.

“It’s been the most exciting concert season for me so far,” says Harriet. “I’m really looking forward to the concert on January 24 — it’s a good start to 2014!”

Philharmonia Orchestra
Friday, January 24, 7.30pm
Sheldonian Theatre, Oxford
Tickets: 01865 244806 or www.musicatoxford.com