Celebrated quintet perform for Oxford
23 February 2011
‘Intoxicating’ and ‘electrifying’ are among the terms critics have used to describe a leading Oxford University musical quartet performing in the Holywell Music Room .
Phantasm, the Consort-in-Residence at Magdalen College and part of the university’s Faculty of Music will be joined by countertenor Magid El-Bushra to play songs, dances and fantasies by several Elizabethan composers including William Byrd.
We’ll be exploring the intimate repertory of 16th-century consort songs by William Byrd and his contemporaries where the blend between voice and viols creates a sumptuous treat for the ears, with the words echoing magically in the instruments,” says Laurence Dreyfus the founding director of Phantasm and Professor of Music and a Fellow of Magdalen College. “Songs are interspersed with tuneful dances and mystical In nomines.
In nomines are pieces of 16th century music written for small groups of viols – an instrument quite different in tuning from other string instruments and held as you would a cello but with the bow hand held palm upwards.
They are typical of the music Phantasm plays. The group, which became Consort-in-Residence at Oxford University in 2005 before its appointment at Magdalen College, has won numerous awards since its formation in 1994.
Most recently, its performance of the consort works of 17th century composer John Ward was Editor’s Choice in BBC Music Magazine and a finalist for the 2010 Gramophone Early Music Award.
Phantasm has released several recordings and is now thought of as the most exciting viol consort performing globally today. Its work in Oxford includes coaching students at Magdalen College and playing with the college choir. Magdalen now has a collection of six viols available to students, thanks to the generosity of alumni.
The concert starts at 8pm and will feature Laurence Dreyfus on treble viol, Wendy Gillespie treble and tenor viol player, tenor viol players Jonathan Manson and Mikko Perkola, and bass viol player Markku Luolajan-Mikkola alongside Magid El-Bushra.