Keynote

Three anniversaries, a Beethoven theme and world-class musicians are the hallmarks of Music at Oxford's forthcoming season next month, which looks set to be one of the most exciting yet.

General manager Ruth Cadiot generously attributes this to the arrival of a new artistic administrator, Tamsyn Howell Sprent, who has brought some fresh ideas to this 23-year-old organisation.

"Her musical enthusiasms are slightly different to her predecessor, so that adds a new angle. And we are trying to up the game a little, and invite people who haven't been to Oxford before - or not for a long time - and introduce a repertoire we haven't had recently. Oxford can be quite conservative, so it can be hard. We don't want to scare off the regulars, but we do like to introduce new things."

A Beethoven theme binds the season neatly together, spearheaded by the popular pianist Paul Lewis, who embarked on an epic journey through the Beethoven piano sonatas last season and completes the cycle over a series of four concerts throughout the new season. Ruth is looking forward to Lewis's remaining concerts with particular relish.

"He's been absolutely fantastic to promote. He's such an incredible musician, and very self-effacing."

The Beethoven theme is picked up later in the season by groups as diverse as London Winds, the Goldner String Quartet, piano duo Leon McCawley and Ashley Wass, and the Bournemouth Symphony Orchestra.

Of these, Ruth is particularly excited about the BSO, which is making a welcome return to the Sheldonian after a few years, and will be playing Beethoven's Eighth Symphony alongside three other much-loved classics - Mendelssohn's hauntingly beautiful Fingal's Cave, Mozart's exuberant Horn Concerto No.3 and Britten's Serenade for Tenor, Horn and Strings, featuring popular soloist Mark Padmore. The internationally acclaimed Vassily Sinaisky conducts.

Another composer being given centre stage is Elgar, whose 150th anniversary falls next yearin June 2007. This will be marked by a special concert by the Philharmonia Orchestra, to include the composer's Serenade for Strings and Violin Concerto, featuring James Ehnes on the violin, and the ever-popular Enigma Variations. Another world-renowned conductor, Sir Andrew Davis, wields the baton. Also marking anniversaries are the innovative vocal ensemble I Fagiolini, which was formed in Oxford 20 years ago, and the brass ensemble Fine Arts Brass, now in its 25th year. The latter is a new departure for Music at Oxford.

"I couldn't actually find the last time we had a brass ensemble," Ruth said. "Tamsyn knew of them and their reputation, and they've put together quite a mixed programme. So it should be interesting to see how that one develops."

The concert, on November 17, will be at St Aldates Church, a venue that Music at Oxford discovered when the Sheldonian was forced to close a couple of years ago.

"It's a very flexible space and it has about 500 seats, which is the sort of size that Oxford otherwise lacks. So we've been experimenting and putting things in there which seems to work quite well. It's not the easiest of acoustics; it doesn't work well with singers. But it worked very well with wind last year, so I think this will work well."

Other highlights of the season include appearances by the European Union Chamber Concert, featuring cellist Natalie Clein, in a programme of Mozart and Haydn; the ever-popular baritone Roderick Williams, who presents a recital at the Holywell devoted to music written for and about children; and, of course, the annual Carols from Christ Church, which this year will be on two dates instead of just one.

"For us, Christmas doesn't start until we've had Carols from Christ Church," said Ruth.

But perhaps the biggest coup this year for Music at Oxford is the opening concert on October 7 - the award-winning Hall Orchestra in a programme of Vaughan Williams, Sibelius and Brahms, conducted by Mark Elder and featuring Sibelius competition-winning violinist Alina Pogostkina.

"We had a different concert lined up for that date, and it fell out at the last minute," said Ruth. "The Halle said they'd absolutely love to come to Oxford. We're really excited, because we haven't had them before."

Closing the season on June 28 will be the London Handel Players, with the popular soprano Emma Kirkby, in a baroque selection that will include pieces by Telemann, Handel, Vivaldi and Bach.

A new venture this season, which has yet to be finalised, is a Young Artist Showcase, which aims to give a platform to talented young players who may not otherwise get the opportunity, and which Ruth hopes will have a festival atmosphere.

"The idea is that we put on a day of short recitals and make it much cheaper than our other concerts so it's much more accessible. It will be at the Jacqueline du Pr Music Building and we'll have refreshments."

For further details about all of Music at Oxford's forthcoming events, call 0870 7500659 or visit www.musicatoxford.com