East Side Story: Cards, Keys & Catharsis!
Schedule
Sun Nov 23 2025 at 07:30 pm to 09:45 pm
UTC+00:00Location
Oxford Town Hall | Oxford, EN
A Journey Through Sound Part 1: East Side Story: Cards, Keys & Catharsis!Stravinsky - Jeu de Cartes
Rachmaninov - Piano Concerto no.4
Tchaikovsky - Symphony no.6
Thomas Kelly piano
Robert Max conductor
Oxford Symphony Orchestra
🎠Stravinsky’s Poker-Faced Ballet Party!
"Cards" Did you know Stravinsky was a die-hard card shark? He turned his love of poker into a dazzling ballet called Jeu de Cartes, where dancers don fabulous card costumes and leap through three lively movements—each cheekily named a “deal.” The music is playful, peppered with clever nods to his own greatest hits and cheeky winks to other composers. It’s Stravinsky at his most mischievous!
🎹 Rachmaninov’s Romantic Rebel
Next up "Keys", Rachmaninov’s Piano Concerto No. 4—his final one, and a glorious blend of heart and innovation. It’s got all the lush, sweeping drama you’d expect from him, but with a twist: impressionistic colors and bold new techniques that show he wasn’t afraid to push boundaries. And who better to bring it to life than the brilliant Thomas Kelly? Prepare to be swept away!
💔Tchaikovsky’s Soul-Stirring Swan Song
And then there’s Tchaikovsky’s legendary Symphony No. 6, the “Pathétique.” This isn’t just music—it’s an emotional rollercoaster of soaring melodies, fiery outbursts, and aching beauty. It’s his final symphony, and it wears its heart on its sleeve, capturing the very essence of pathos with every note. It's "Catharsis".
Watch out for:
Part 2 - 14th March 2026 - Oxford Town Hall
Part 3 - 20th June 2026 - Sheldonian Theatre
