News
Mitsuko Uchida Sheldonian Concert Outstanding Success
World-renowned pianist Dame Mitsuko Uchida gave a concert to a packed Sheldonian Theatre last Tuesday (11 January) in support of the work of the Oxford Music Faculty.
The programme - which was received in rapt silence and greeted with sustained applause - comprised Beethoven’s Piano Sonata No. 27 in E minor, Op. 90; Schumann’s Davidsbündlertänze, Op. 6; and Chopin’s Prelude in C sharp minor, Op. 45 and Sonata No. 3 in B minor, Op. 58. She chose one of Schoenberg's little Op. 19 Piano Pieces as her encore.
The Oxford Times described the performance as 'an amazing treat'. You can read the full review here.
In 2009 Dame Mitsuko was made an honorary Doctor of Music by the University. 'Oxford University was so kind to give me an honorary DMus', she said, 'and so I thought that I should do something in return for the University. I realised that the Music Faculty needed money, so what better thing to do than to give a recital for them.'
At Dame Mitsuko's request, the proceeds from the concert were donated to the Faculty, and have already been allocated to equip the newly refurbished practice rooms with pianos for use by Music students. The event also served to launch the Faculty's major fund-raising campaign, aimed at endowing teaching posts and graduate bursaries, the purchase and renewal of instruments and equipment and - most ambitiously - the move to purpose-built premises on the University's Radcliffe Observatory Quarter. Anyone interested in discussing a contribution to the campaign - however large or small - should contact Marie-Alice Frappat (the Faculty's Events Manager, 01865 276141) or Eric Clarke (Heather Professor of Music, 01865 276137).
Eric Clarke commented: 'We are extremely grateful to Dame Mitsuko for showing her support of the Faculty of Music by giving this recital. The breadth, scope and quality of music scholarship, composition and performance at Oxford is unrivalled and Dame Mitsuko’s recital will help raise funds for the Faculty’s continuing work to ensure that Oxford’s world-leading reputation for research and teaching in music continues far into the future.'
The concert was preceded by a reception in the Divinity School, attended by many friends of the Music Faculty, at which the Chancellor, Lord Patten, spoke of the achievements and high reputation of the Faculty. A celebratory dinner followed the concert, attended by Dame Mitsuko. Profesor Nicholas Rawlins, Pro-Vice-Chancellor, spoke at the dinner, and outlined the Music Faculty's ambitious plans for the future.