6:50am Thursday 29th July 2010
By Nicola Lisle
Oxford Philomusica’s annual piano fest is not just for serious pianists hoping to break on to the world stage — it’s for piano lovers everywhere. This is the message organisers are hoping to get across as this year’s festival approaches.
So, even if you’ve never played a note, but love listening to the piano, then the festival is for you.
“You don’t have to be a professional musician, or a participant, or even a piano player, you can just come along to a masterclass or concert or two,” says Julie Peacock, the Oxford Philomusica’s public relations officer. “It’s for local people too — it’s not just for piano specialists.
“What we’re really keen to see is a lot of people coming to the masterclasses,” adds development officer Luke Berryman.
“We really want people to see it as more than just a piano lesson — it’s a unique opportunity to see how these professional performances are fine-tuned.”
Now in its 12th year, the piano festival regularly attracts both participants and established artists of the highest calibre, and Luke believes that this year’s line-up is one of the best yet.
“It’s one of the most international — we’ve got 24 students representing 15 different nations between them, and the standard is incredibly high,” he says.
“We had a record number of applicants, so we’ve had to turn away a lot of very good pianists.
“Among the people we do have there’s already some major prizewinners, including Lara Omeroglu, the winner of this year’s BBC Young Musician competition. She’s an example of the standard, rather than an exception to the rule.”
At just 16, Lara is undoubtedly one of the names to watch out for, along with 18-year-old Maxwell Foster, who won the ABC Young Performer Competition in Austria in 2008, and 27-year-old South African Ben Schoeman, winner of the Royal Overseas League Music Competition in 2009.
For these young people, hovering on the cusp of a professional career, the highlight of the week, arguably, is the Participants’ Recital (August 6, JDP Music Building).
By this stage of the festival, the 24 participants will have attended masterclasses and lectures throughout the week, and this is their opportunity to showcase their talent in a supportive and friendly environment.
It’s also an opportunity for audiences to hear some stars in the making.
They each play for about five minutes, so it’s a fantastic opportunity to be the first to hear these people,” Luke says.
“Some of the younger ones who are still in secondary school have a bit further to go yet, and we see ourselves as a milestone in their careers.
“The people who are slightly older, and perhaps doing post-graduate degrees, are on the brink of international careers.
“But it doesn’t matter what stage of development they’re at — if that’s the path they’re on, we’re here to help them realise that dream.
“I feel it’s something that Oxford can feel very proud to be hosting.”
Former students who have gone on to enjoy professional careers include Tatiana Kolesova, who will be playing Chopin’s First Piano Concerto with the Philomusica this autumn; Sam Armstrong, who recently graduated from Mannes College in New York; and Sophie Cashell, winner of the BBC Classic Music Star competition in 2007.
But, of course, the festival isn’t just about aspiring pianists — it’s also about bringing along some of the finest pianists in the world to provide support and inspiration to the participants.
Making his debut at the festival this year is Finnish pianist Olli Mustonen, who will be playing his own piano sonata, along with pieces by Tchaikovsky and Scriabin on August 2 at the University Church.
Chinese pianist Fou Ts’Ong is giving an all-Chopin recital on August 4 in the Holywell in honour of the composer’s bicentenary, while Michael Roll (August 3, University Church) and Cristina Ortiz (August 5, Oxford Town Hall) also include his work in their programmes.
The final recital will be given on Augts 7 at Christ Church by festival president András Schiff, in a programme that includes Beethoven’s famous Moonlight Sonata.
All five artists will also be giving masterclasses, along with other respected names from the piano world, including the Oxford Philomusica’s own Marios Papadopoulos.
All concerts start at 8pm. Box office: 0208 4501060 or visit oxfordphil.com The Oxford Times reader offer (or masterclasses only): allows readers to buy one ticket and get one free (must be booked in advance). Mention The Oxford Times when booking
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