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Ensemble

 

Oxford Philomusica is a classical music ensemble based in Oxford, England. The ensemble was founded in 1998 by Marios Papadopoulos, a Greek pianist and conductor who had studied at the Royal Academy of Music in London and the Moscow Conservatory. Papadopoulos had previously founded the Oxford Piano Festival in 1993, which had brought together some of the world's leading pianists to perform and teach in Oxford. The founding of Oxford Philomusica was a natural extension of Papadopoulos' passion for music and his desire to bring world-class performances to Oxford. The ensemble's name is a combination of "Oxford" and "philomusica," which means "lover of music" in Greek. From its inception, Oxford Philomusica has been dedicated to performing a wide range of classical music, from the Baroque era to contemporary works. The ensemble has collaborated with some of the world's leading soloists, including Maxim Vengerov, Joshua Bell, and Lang Lang, and has performed in some of the world's most prestigious concert halls, including the Royal Albert Hall in London and the Musikverein in Vienna. The ensemble's main members are its conductor and founder, Marios Papadopoulos, and its core group of musicians, who are drawn from some of the UK's leading orchestras and chamber ensembles. These musicians include violinist Natalia Lomeiko, cellist Richard Harwood, and clarinetist Michael Collins, among others. One of the highlights of Oxford Philomusica's early years was its performance of Beethoven's Ninth Symphony in 2000, which was conducted by Papadopoulos and featured the Oxford Bach Choir and soloists including soprano Susan Gritton and tenor John Mark Ainsley. The performance was hailed as a triumph, with The Times describing it as "a performance of great power and conviction." In 2003, Oxford Philomusica embarked on a tour of China, performing in Beijing, Shanghai, and other cities. The tour was a major success, with the ensemble receiving standing ovations and rave reviews from Chinese audiences and critics. In 2006, Oxford Philomusica performed at the BBC Proms, one of the world's most prestigious classical music festivals. The ensemble's performance of Mahler's Symphony No. 2, conducted by Papadopoulos, was widely praised, with The Guardian describing it as "a performance of great intensity and emotional power." In 2010, Oxford Philomusica was awarded the Royal Philharmonic Society Music Award for Best Ensemble, in recognition of its outstanding performances and contributions to classical music. The award was a major honor for the ensemble, which had worked tirelessly to establish itself as one of the UK's leading classical music ensembles. In recent years, Oxford Philomusica has continued to perform and record a wide range of classical music, from Mozart and Beethoven to contemporary works by living composers. The ensemble has also continued to collaborate with some of the world's leading soloists, including pianist Stephen Hough and violinist Nicola Benedetti. Overall, Oxford Philomusica has established itself as one of the UK's leading classical music ensembles, known for its outstanding performances, innovative programming, and commitment to bringing classical music to audiences around the world. With its dedicated musicians and visionary founder, the ensemble is sure to continue making a major contribution to the world of classical music for many years to come.

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