Season 2007/2008

The Octagon Music Society promotes a series of classical chamber music concerts each season. These are held in the Purcell School, Bushey in Hertsmere. They are open to members and non-members and tickets can be puchased in advance from Watford (01923) 224092 or at the door. All concerts start at 7.45 pm 7 October 2007 DORIC QUARTET Haydn: String Quartet Op 76 No 1 in G Shostakovich: Quartet No 7 Op 108 Dvorak: Quartet in Ab major Op 105 This is a welcome return for the Doric who gave us a stunning recital in October 2006. They were established eight years ago and have fast become the most sought-after young quartet in the country. In 2001 they made their London début at the Purcell Room and have subsequently appeared to wide critical acclaim. The Telegraph said of them after a Wigmore Hall recital that they were “a sapling string quartet of terrific accomplishment”. 18 November 2007 THOMAS BARBER (oboe) JAMES SOUTHALL (piano) Bach: Oboe Sonata in G minor BWV 1020 Britten: 3 Metamorphoses after Ovid Mozart: Piano Sonata in C K309, 1st movement Poulenc: Sonata for oboe and piano Nielsen: 2 Fantasy Pieces Debussy: Reflets dans l’eau Rubbra: Oboe Sonata in C Op 100 As principal oboist with both the National Youth Orchestra of Great Britain and the European Union Youth Orchestra, Thomas has worked with some of the world’s great conductors and appeared at many major music venues. He is both a graduate of Cambridge University and the Royal Academy of Music. His wide-ranging programme includes music from Bach to the present day to which James adds variety with solo piano works by Mozart and Debussy. 3 February 2008 ASHLEY WASS (piano) Alwyn: 12 Preludes Liszt: 3 Petrarch Sonatas Elgar: Enigma Variations Described by Gramophone Magazine as a “thoroughbred who possesses the enviable gift to turn almost anything he plays into pure gold”, he is firmly established as one of the leading performers of his generation. He is only the second British pianist in 20 years to reach the finals of the Leeds Piano Competition. He has made a specialism of 20th century British piano music and his discs on the Naxos label have received high praise. Among these is the Enigma Variations, an arrangement made by the composer himself. 16 March 2008 L’INDISCRET (flute, violin, viola da gamba, harpsichord) “Le Goût Français” J S Bach: Trio Sonata in C BWV 529 Telemann: Paris Quartet no 12 in E minor Rameau: Pieces de Clavecin en concerts J S Bach: Trio Sonata in C minor from “The Musical Offering” Ravel: Le Tombeau de Couperin L’Indiscret are probably the only period instrument group of its kind based in Wales. Consisting of core members of the Welsh Baroque Orchestra, the group offers strength of scholarship and playing expertise and can present as well as play the music with conviction. Their repertoire draws on the huge range of works made possible by the instrumentation, from the famous to the obscure. 13 April 2008 JOHN MYERSCOUGH (cello) ALASDAIR BEATSON (piano) Mendelssohn: Cello sonata in Bb Sciarrino: Ai limiti della notte Stravinsky: Suite Italienne Sibelius: Malinconia Brahms: Cello Sonata in F major John Myerscough began the cello at the age of 6 and is now a postgraduate at the Guildhall. John graduated from Cambridge in 2003 where he read music. As a soloist John has performed concertos with the London Soloists Chamber Orchestra. He has also given many concerts in Cambridge including a Beethoven Sonata cycle. He is a member of the Doric String Quartet who perform in our first concert. 11 May 2008 PUPILS OF THE PURCELL SCHOOL Each season in our partnership with the School, the Society includes a concert given by present pupils. The pupils are seasoned performers from an early age and the standard of playing by these young musicians, many of whom will look forward to outstanding professional careers, will be of a high standard. The programme will not be decided until nearer the time but is always varied and interesting.