Six rare spirits join us tonight in the seventeenth-century inner sanctum of Oxford University. Two are dedicatees of these pieces – Mozart’s incomparable clarinettist Anton Stadler, and the musical philosopher (and mushroom expert) John Cage. Our 2017 composer-in-residence, the celebrated Latvian Pēteris Vasks, has written that very rare thing: a great double-bass solo. Kurtág’s supremely distilled music is unlike anyone else’s; Berio wrote much of the most vivid, original, yet approachable music of the late twentieth century. And for emotional insight and intensity, Mozart’s quintet has few peers in any century.

Pēteris Vasks Bass trip

György Kurtág Hommage à John Cage and In memoriam György Kroó

Luciano Berio Lied (song) for clarinet

Mozart Clarinet quintet in A major, K581

Jordi Carrasco Hjelm, Sascha Bota, Julian Arp, Reto Bieri, Priya Mitchell, Tetiana Lutsyk, Claude Frochaux.

Festival Pass

Experience all the scintillating performances at the Festival under one Festival Pass. The Pass saves £54 compared to purchasing the tickets individually and affords you the greatest level of access. Pass holders have priority access to the venues as soon as doors open to choose their favourite seats ahead of individual ticket holders.

In order to buy a Festival Pass, you will need to select one full price ticket for all eight concerts in your basket. Once you have selected your tickets, your basket will be discounted to £160.

Wheelchair Spaces

If you require a wheelchair space for this event, please call 01865 305 305 or email boxoffice@oxfordplayhouse.com for further assistance.