Oxford Chamber Music Society

Sunday concerts at 3pm in the historic Holywell Music Room

In partnership with

Young Listeners Tickets

Sunday concerts each month: November 2026 through May 2027 at 3pm

Programme

FREE tickets for Young Listeners aged 8-25 years

Seven brilliant concerts from a variety of musical ensembles

The enduring expressive power of the string quartet from Haydn to Britten and Schubert’s extraordinary string quintet

The witty virtuosity of saxophones

Music for viols past and present

The voice of the clarinet and musical story telling

Dances inspired by Bach

 

The first concert of our new season will be on the 8th November. The Martinů Quartet from the Czech Republic is renowned for its vibrant interpretations, refined ensemble playing, and deep connection to the Central European chamber tradition. They will play Ravel’s quartet and Martinů’s quartet No.2. They will be joined by the brilliant cellist, Gemma Rosefield, in Schubert’s radiant String Quintet.

 

On December 6th, the Leonkoro Quartet from Germany will perform Haydn’s quartet Op.76, Britten’s No.2 quartet, and Mendelssohn’s quartet No.6. The Leonkoro is one of Europe’s most exciting young chamber ensembles, acclaimed for its electrifying energy, precision, and musical imagination. A recent performance at the Wigmore Hall can be viewed here

 

Our first concert of the New Year on the 10th January 2027 is a special treat from the renowned  Fretwork Viol Consort. Specialising in Renaissance and contemporary repertoire for viols, their programme will range across six centuries of fascinating music for the viol from William Byrd and Henry Purcell to Gavin Bryars and Arvo Pärt.

 

The concert on the 7th February will be given by the Kebyart Saxophone Quartet who bring fresh colour, rhythmic vitality, and infectious energy to their playing. This exciting Spanish group will present their programme ‘Punta di Fuga’, exploring new soundworlds from Bach and Mozart to György Ligeti and a commissioned piece by Jörg Widmann.

 

We welcome the Trio Meister Raro on the 7th March. These distinguished musicians, combine technical brilliance with shared musical sensitivity that creates compelling and deeply engaging performances. Their programme ‘Fantasie and Fairytales’ will include Debussy’s Rhapsodie and Schumann’s Märchenerzählungen, and will conclude with Mozart’s ravishing clarinet Trio, K.498.

 

On the 11th April the outstanding and experienced musicians of the London Chamber Ensemble Quartet will play Debussy’s quartet Op.10, and the John Whittaker quartet ‘In Our Time’. They will conclude with Herbert Howells’s, quartet No.3 ‘In Gloucestershire’, their recording of which was widely praised: “Perfection” BBC Music Magazine, “full of vitality… expertly played” The Observer.

 

Rounding off our season on 9th May we are delighted to present Polish violinist Maria Włoszczowska and Welsh pianist Jâms Coleman (piano). Their programme ‘Suite’ will open with Bach’s sonata, BVW 1016 and will include Suites by Schnittke, Debussy, Coleridge-Taylor, Korngold, Britten, and Shostakovich.

 

 

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