Dvorak, Martines & Owen

The Oxford Chamber Orchestra are playing at the University Church of St Mary the Virgin on Saturday 24 October, with Idith Korman joining them on piano. It's a programme that pulls from three different centuries, and the piano concerto takes centre stage.

The main feature is Marianna Martines' Piano Concerto in G, a work from the late 18th century. Martines was an Austrian composer and singer who wrote in the Classical style of Haydn and Mozart, and this concerto is one of her most substantial pieces. Korman takes the solo part, with the OCO providing the orchestral accompaniment.

Around it, the orchestra plays Dvorak's Symphony No. 7 and Owen's Nocturne. Dvorak's Seventh is a late-Romantic symphony from the 1880s, known for its dark, brooding mood and strong melodic lines. The Owen Nocturne is a shorter, more intimate piece, and together they frame the Martines concerto, moving from the Romantic scale of Dvorak to the Classical elegance of Martines and the quieter, night-music feel of the Owen.

The venue is the University Church of St Mary the Virgin on High Street, which has a long history with the University of Oxford. Its ceremonies were held here until the Sheldonian Theatre was built, and the University Sermon is still preached here during Term. The building dates largely from the 14th and 15th centuries, with a Baroque Porch by Nicholas Stone on the south side and an ornate Tower that looks out over the city. The Oxford martyrs—Cranmer, Latimer and Ridley—were tried here in 1555, and Cardinal Newman served as Vicar from 1828 to 1843. It's a popular concert venue, known for its good acoustics and a 1987 Metzler organ.

The concert runs from 7.30pm to 9.30pm. Tickets are £18 for adults and £14 for concessions, with accompanied under-18s free.