Sir – The East Oxford Orchestra deserves congratulations for their boldness in programming modern contemporary classical music for their concert at St John the Evangelist on October 14.
In my experience, it is rare for Oxford’s professional orchestras to programme pieces like Ligeti’s difficult harpsichord solo Continuum and Howard Skempton’s Concerto for Hurdy Gurdy and Percussion and Orchestra.
They were both given very fine performances, the later with Howard Skempton present and were warmly received by the audience. Indeed a friend of mine was so enthused by this, his first experience of Ligeti’s music, that he was eager to search out more pieces by him.
Now that this non-professional orchestra of enthusiastic and gifted players have shown what can be achieved, I hope we can look forward to Oxford’s professional orchestras following their lead and being bolder by including pieces by European masters, such as Ligeti and Xenakis, and especially current British contemporary composers, such as Sally Beamish, Jonathan Harvey, Mark-Anthony Turnage, James MacMillan and Howard Skempton, in their programming.
Colin May, Oxford
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here