Two great masterpieces which suggest humanity cast out of Eden – knowing paradise but feeling far away. Brahms's piano quartet is deeply connected to his ambiguous feelings for Clara Schumann; Schubert's gloriously sunny, lyrical sonata also knows (as he did) the fragility of life. Between these poles we have two great Purcell songs, realised by our composer-in-residence Thomas Adès, and George Crumb's astonishing music evoking the great Whale journeying far beneath the sea, from the beginning to the end of time.

Schubert 'Arpeggione' sonata
Crumb Vox Balaenae (Voice of the whale)
Purcell arr. Thomas Adès Songs
Brahms Piano quartet no.3 in C minor

Artists: Roy Amotz, Julian Arp, Claude Frochaux, Irina Zahharenkova, Luciana Mancini, Dirk Mommertz, Annette Walther, Priya Mitchell

Every year the Oxford Chamber Music Festival brings together some of the most exciting classical musicians in Europe to live and play together for a week. Creative sparks fly as the players exchange musical partners and tackle the widest variety of sound-worlds.

“a musical miracle” - Daily Telegraph; “world-class by any standards” Time Out

With this year’s special 25th anniversary festival we hope to create a musical Eden in an increasingly troubled world. We celebrate in sound the glories of nature's garden; explore the music of innocence and of human desire; and offer works which suggest the drama of the Fall, and the journey back to a state of spiritual grace.

Wheelchair Spaces

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