Smorgaschord Festival 2024
Tickets £15 (Student £5)
'Darkness Moves' | Chapter House, Christ Church | 22 June | 1pm
Mark Simpson, clarinet | Phil Dawson, electronics
Zoë Martlew - Atma
Phil Cashian - Volvelles
Jonathan Harvey - Ricecare Una Melodia
Mark Simpson - Darkness Moves
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Charlotte Spruit in focus | Chapter House, Christ Church | 22 June | 4pm
Charlotte Spruit, Baroque violin | Tom Foster, harpsichord
J. S. Bach | J. G. Pisendel Sonata for violin and continuo in C minor BWV 1024
J. P. von Westhoff Sonata for Solo violin in A minor
L. Lawall Responses to Westhoff's Sonata for solo violin in A minor
J. S.Pisendel Sonata for violin and continuo in G minor
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Damascus Rose Kitchen x Smorgaschord
Cloisters, Christ Chuch | 22 June | 6.30pm
An opportunity for artists and audience to come together over a delicious feast of Middle Eastern food
made for us by Damascus Rose Kitchen, an Oxford-based social enterprise for Arabic-speaking refugee women.
"Damascus Rose Kitchen’s story began with a few refugee women based in Oxford, who decided to unite and share their culture by preparing Middle Eastern dishes for their community. In doing so, they were able to preserve a part of the story and identity that they had to leave behind."
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Quartet for the End of Time | Christ Church Cathedral | 22 June | 8pm
Mark Simpson, clarinet | Juliette Roos, violin | Eliza Millett, cello | Joseph Havlat, piano | Sebastian Black, piano*
Péter Eötvös - Erdenklavier—Himmelklavier*
Mark Simpson - Ariel
Olivier Messiaen - Quatuor pour la fin du temps
In memory of Péter Eötvös (1944-2024)
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Smorgaschord, an arts festival based in Oxford with new music at its heart, brings together an esoteric and wide range of music and art, platforming young UK musicians and internationally renowned artists alike. We are thrilled to be joined by some of the most exceptional musicians around today, and we are so excited to welcome them into our Smorgaschord community.
Composer/ clarinettist Mark Simpson is Artist in Focus, presenting a dazzling array of musical treats for us, ranging from his own work to a performance of Messiaen’s sublime Quartet for the End of Time. We’re also delighted to feature award-winning baroque violinist Charlotte Spruit, who performs a concert devoted to the music of the German Baroque. Anyone who has had the thrill of seeing Charlotte perform this music before will know that we are in for something full of detail, gorgeous imagination and spontaneity. But perhaps most important for us at Smorgaschord is that our concerts have a wonderful sense of joyous community about them. This year we are immensely excited to work with the extraordinary Damascus Rose Kitchen for the first time, an Oxford-based enterprise for Arabic-speaking refugee women. Planning a music festival is always so fascinating, but the highlight so far was paying them a visit to taste the food they’ll be bringing… trust us, this is something that cannot be missed! We can’t wait to spend another beautiful midsummer’s day with you all—come join the fun!
