Bach, Mendelssohn and more : Oxford Philharmonic’s 2024/25 season

Marios Papadopoulos and the Oxford Philharmonic Orchestra

The centrepiece of Marios Papadopoulos and the Oxford Philharmonic Orchestra’s 2024/25 season is Bach Mendelssohn Festival focusing on the music of the two composers with concerts, smaller scale concerts and a study day. 

The centrepiece of the festival is a performance of Mendelssohn’s Elijah with soloists Masabane Cecilia Ranganwasha, Angharad Lyddon, Adam Gilbert and Bryn Terfel. Things begin with Bach’s Mass in B Minor with Marios Papadopoulos conducting the Oxford Philharmonic Choir, and Mahan Esfahani will direct a performance of all the Brandenburg Concertos. The Oxford Philharmonic Choir is joined by the Academy of Ancient Music, conductor Lawrence Cummings for an all-Bach programme including the Magnificat. 

On a smaller scale, pianist Vikingur Ólafsson plays a programme of Bach transcriptions, whilst Andras Schiff plays Bach’s The Art of Fugue. Further ahead in the season there are performances of Bach’s St Matthew Passion, and programmes that place Bach and Mendelssohn’s music side by side.

Other highlights include Maxim Vengerov as soloist and director in an all-Mozart programme, Marc Bouchkov and David Aaron Carpenter as the soloists in Alexey Shor’s Violin and Viola Concerto, chamber music in the Holywell Music Room, and Verdi’s Requiem with Lauren Fagan, Maria Schellenberg, David Junghoon Kim, Blaise Malaba and the Crouch End Festival Chorus.

Full details from the Oxford Philharmonic’s website.