Communion Town by Sam Thompson

12:00am Thursday 23rd August 2012

Thompson’s debut novel, longlisted for this year’s Man Booker prize, contains ten apparently unconnected stories about a constantly changing city or cities.The author teaches English at St Anne’s College, Oxford, which could perhaps be one or more of his university cities — were it not for the quayside and the strange dystopian names. For example, one of the detectives in a Sherlock Holmes-style chapter, The Significant City of Lazarus Glass, is a Professor of Ratiocination at the unnamed university.

Titian by Sheila Hale

9:00am Thursday 23rd August 2012

Hale’s life of Titian, one of the world’s greatest artists, is the first biography to be published in more than 130 years. This is partly because so little is known about the painter, but Hale fills the gap with vivid descriptions of life in renaissance Venice during his long life. Born some time between 1488 and 1490, Titian died in his late 80s with failing eyesight, perhaps because of cataracts or perhaps macular degeneration. During that time, Columbus landed in America, Luther challenged the Pope’s authority and Venice’s golden age began to fade. Hale’s scholarship reveals him to have been a difficult man, particularly in old age, and obsessed with chasing up payments from his patrons. Only half of his 600-odd paintings survive, including Triumph of Love, pictured above, which is owned by the Ashmolean Museum in Oxford following a public appeal. The background shows the artist’s beloved Venice while behind are the Dolomites, where he was born in a remote mountain village. No one knows how he came to be sent to Venice to study painting, but Hale speculates that his talent must have shone through. The cherubic figure of Cupid in the Ashmolean painting reminds us that one of Titian’s most devoted imitators was Rubens, and Hale has no doubt that he influenced art for ever.

The Grand Duke: Buxton Opera House

John Savournin’s Herald (left) with Donald Maxwell as the Prince of Monte Carlo Picture: Charles Smith

2:30pm Wednesday 22nd August 2012

The Gilbert and Sullivan Opera Company made history with a rare fully-professional production of the final Savoy opera, The Grand Duke. A bold move, perhaps, as Gilbert’s storyline — involving a theatrical troupe plotting to depose the miserly Grand Duke of Pfennig Halbpfennig — is particularly convoluted and lacks his customary razor-sharp satire. But Sullivan’s score is as delightful and sparkling as ever, and there was plenty to enjoy in Andrew Nicklin’s bright, colourful production.

Phoenix Piano Trio CD review

Phoenix Piano Trip

2:27pm Wednesday 22nd August 2012

The Phoenix Piano Trio (Jonathan Stone, violin, Marie Macleod, cello, Sholto Kynoch, piano) is a comparatively recent creation.

Prom concerts are back

Abingdon's lesson in history

1:43pm Friday 17th August 2012

After a successful launch last year, the Oxford Proms return for a second season, discovers Nicola Lisle

Preview of charity recital by cellist Ghislaine McMullin at the Jacqueline du Pre Music Building

Preview of charity recital by cellist Ghislaine McMullin at the Jacqueline du Pre Music Building

12:34pm Wednesday 15th August 2012

If you want to raise money for multiple sclerosis research by staging a recital, there can be no more appropriate venue than the Jacqueline du Pré Music Building, named after the famous cellist who was robbed of her career by the disease. And that’s doubly true if you’re a cellist yourself, like 18-year-old Ghislaine McMullin, of Headington.

Sound reasons to celebrate

Sound reasons to celebrate

3:38pm Friday 10th August 2012

NICOLA LISLE talks to popular local pianist Jack Gibbons about his forthcoming piano series in Oxford

Cream of the crop

Cream of the crop

3:36pm Friday 10th August 2012

UP to 20,000 folk-rock fans will today start arriving at the county’s longest-running festival — continuing a ritual which has continued since the hazy 1970s.

Menahem Pressler, Oxford Philomusica Piano Festival: Sheldonian Theatre

Picture: Brendon Fraser

10:19am Thursday 9th August 2012

‘Is he still alive and playing?” was the reaction when I mentioned I was going to hear Menahem Pressler.

The Angry Planet: BBC Proms, Royal Albert Hall

Picture: BBC/Chris Christodoulou

9:54am Thursday 9th August 2012

As I walked across Hyde Park to the Royal Albert Hall on Sunday afternoon, there was a great roar of delight from inside the park’s giant Olympic video screen enclosure. Andy Murray was on his way to Olympic gold.

« Back | More Music/Books»



Your townYourOxford

News from your area


Your Say Your Oxford

Councillors admitted to being ashamed at what they had allowed − Alison Cobb, Binsey

Port Meadow needs protection »

I cannot believe the council is willing to scupper the whole project if permission is not given to remove these trees − Bob Summers, Osney Island

Hydro project 'must not founder' »





Local Information

Enter your postcode, town or place name

House prices »   Schools »   Crime »   Hospitals »

click2find


About cookies

We want you to enjoy your visit to our website. That's why we use cookies to enhance your experience. By staying on our website you agree to our use of cookies. Find out more about the cookies we use.

I agree