There are some big names coming to the Holywell Music Room over the next few months, including the Maggini String Quartet, the Coull Quartet and the Brodsky String Quartet, in what is arguably the strongest line-up yet in the OCMS’s 114-year history.

But, in keeping with the society’s mission, the season also features emerging young artists, as well as a group from Down Under. In fact, it’s the Adelaide ensemble, the Australian String Quartet, that sets the ball rolling next weekend, with an eclectic programme of music by Beethoven, Dvorak and Australian composer Peter Scunthorpe — all played on 18th century instruments handcrafted by Italian violin-maker Giovanni Guidagnini.

“That should whet the appetite of any string players,” says Jim Haworth, who is chiefly responsible for the society’s programme. “They are top-notch Guidagnini instruments – you could be looking at half a million pounds each.”

“All quartets try to have instruments that blend and match in an appropriate way,” adds committee member Paul Johnson, “but a set of instruments all from the same family is unusual.”

The Coull Quartet join forces with acclaimed pianist Mark Bebbington in November for a programme of English 20th century music.

The New Year kicks off with young ensemble the Cavaleri Quartet, recent winners of the Radcliffe Chamber Music Residency at the University of Oxford.

Theirs includes Janacek’s popular Quartet No.2, Intimate Letters, as well as Mozart’s Quartet in D Minor and Beethoven’s Quartet in E Flat.

The Maggini String Quartet, celebrating their 25th anniversary in 2013, make a return to Oxford in February while March sees Sitkovestky Piano Trio’s return, and the season is brought to a close by the Brodsky Quartet, who will mark their 40th anniversary with an exuberant repertoire.