Oxford Chamber Music Festival 2024: These Enchanted Isles

OCMF24 promises to take its audience on a joyful adventure of nostalgia and discovery through an intriguing variety of our native musical landscapes. Some works are already known and much loved, but the festival also celebrates unfamiliar masterpieces that are significant landmarks in the musical heritage of these islands.

September’s concerts, lectures and events again feature artists that include:

Quatuor Ébène, Elisabeth Leonskaja, O/Modernt Chamber Orchestra, Hugo Ticciati, Natalie Clein, Julius Drake and other distinguished performers in a programme exploring a spectrum of musical expression through the centuries. Beginning with the Renaissance and early masters – Dowland, Byrd, Purcell, Handel – and on to Elgar, Britten, Vaughan Williams, Bridge, Walton, Tippett, Adès, Clarke, Tavener, MacMillan, as well as a look into the roots of our traditional Celtic and English folk music. All the festival’s featured composers and compositions exemplify a surprising and inspiring diversity and creative genius in the ways they have enriched the UK’s unique musical culture. Sometimes it’s easy to forget the extraordinary wealth of music that has been composed in the United Kingdom, which captures the spirit, vision and beauty of ‘These Enchanted Isles’.

For the very first time the festival is holding masterclasses, welcoming highly talented young musicians to participate. Some of these will be open to the general public at the Holywell and it is also the first time the Quatour Ébène are teaching in the UK.

Come and join the experience of uplifting energy, passion and intensity which is the essence of the Oxford Chamber Music Festival. Not just in a week of concerts but at workshops, educational outreach and events all through 2024 within some of Oxford’s most beautiful and historical venues.

Free Tickets for 8-25 year olds

Take advantage of this free ticket scheme! Limited number available per concert through the CAVATINA Chamber Music Trust – book online through the Tickets Oxford website: select BOOK NOW and choose the Cavatina ticket option https://www.ticketsoxford.com/oxford-chamber-music-festival-2

Festival Pass - Access to all 13 events

Your OCMF 2024 Festival Pass gives you:
Invitation to the Reception on the opening night with the artists
A saving of £58 compared to buying individual tickets
One ticket that gives you access to all events
Priority access to events so you can choose the best seats

‘4’ the film - Sunday 22nd Sept & Monday 23 Sept

O Albion – Quatuor Ébène - Monday 23 September

OCMF Studio – New Generations - Tuesday 24 September

Freakshow - Paddington Trio - Wednesday 25 September

Romani & Traveller Singers – Hazel Marsh - Wednesday 25 September

Discoveries – Reto Bieri, Guy Johnston, Polina Leschenko & friends - Wednesday 25 September

Singular Voices – Polina Leschenko, Reto Bieri, Sally Bayley and friends - Thursday 26 September

Shape of My Heart - Thursday 26 September

Sacrifices - Friday 27 September

A Little Known Masterpiece: Schubert’s Grand Duo – Elisabeth Leonskaja and Julius Drake - Friday 27 September

Hidden Treasures – Natalie Clein, Julius Drake, Hugo Ticciati, Reto Bieri and friends - Friday 27 September

Radiance, Romance and a Rocket – Natalie Clein, Priya Mitchell, Linda Suolahti and friends - Saturday 28 September