Thierry Escaich, Oxford Philharmonic Orchestra and Zane Dalal: Mozart and Handel

Thierry Escaich takes the organ at the University Church of St Mary the Virgin on Friday 20 November, with the Oxford Philharmonic Orchestra and conductor Zane Dalal. It's part of a series marking the 700th anniversary of Oriel College, put together by Oriel Fellow and Director of Music David Maw in conjunction with Music at Oxford.

The programme runs from improvisation to repertoire by a wide range of composers. There's Handel's Organ Concerto in B flat major — the last piece he wrote — and Poulenc's Organ Concerto in G minor. Between them sits the world premiere of Phillip Cooke's What sudden blaze of song, alongside unaccompanied motets by David Maw and Cheryl Frances-Hoad. The Choir of Oriel College joins in, conducted by Alexander Pott.

Escaich is a French composer and organist, a member of the Académie des Beaux-Arts since 2013 and titular organist of Notre-Dame de Paris since 2024. Zane Dalal, who conducts the orchestra, is a former Oriel organ scholar with Masters degrees from the University of Oxford and Indiana University.

It starts at 8pm on Friday 20 November at the University Church of St Mary the Virgin, The High Street, OX1 4BJ. Tickets are £42, £32, and £24.