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Maiastra was delighted to be invited by Hugh Bryant, former Trustee of Maiastra and newly appointed Chair of the Oriel Music Society, to perform at one of the society’s biannual ‘Champagne concerts’ which brings together college alumni (who pay) and current students (who attend free of charge). The name comes from the fact that there is an interval, during which the audience go to the Senior Common Room and enjoy a glass of bubbly; there is only one stipulation: you must not talk to anyone of the same age. Thus, the generations mix, to mutual benefit.

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The concert also marked a reunion for an outstanding ensemble that had previously enchanted audiences during the July concert series: Bartosz Woroch (violin and course director), Ola Lenkiewicz (violin), Jake Montgomery-Smith (viola), and Layla Ballard (cello).

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The concert took place on Friday 25th October 2024 and the ensemble performed Haydn's String Quartet in Bb major, Op. 76 No. 4 “Sunrise” and Paweł Szymański's Five pieces for String Quartet, finishing with Schubert’s String Quartet in A minor, D. 804 “Rosamunde”.

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Newly joined Trust member Helen Blow shared her impressions of the performance:

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I missed the concert in July as I was away in France, so it was a real gift to be able to hear this wonderful programme which I would love to hear again.    Keith Berry’s programme notes were, as ever, invaluable, and I particularly liked the way that his description of the Pawel Szymanski 5 pieces gave a memorable and visual frame to the music.  I was absolutely in awe of the musicians’ ability to draw such a wide array of sounds from their instruments. In the final piece, it was as if the chords were resonating from another dimension—or at least from beyond the walls of the hall.  The glissandi in the first piece were masterfully done and clearly delighted the audience, with smiles all around. Keith’s description of the piece as ‘playful’ couldn’t have been more apt. The Haydn Sunrise was quite thrilling - I loved all the things they did with the tempi; there must be a word to describe the deliberate elasticity within bars.  And of course, I loved the Schubert.  That was the piece we were humming in the car as we drove home on a mercifully clear M40/M25.”

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Hugh Bryant paid tribute to Maiastra’s founder, Aidan Woodcock, with these words: I’m really pleased that ‘my’ first Oriel champagne concert involves forces from Maiastra.  Although Aidan might not have expected to be looking down from heaven, just in case he is, I hope he realises that this is yet more that he inspired and began, and that we are thinking fondly of all the happy times at Little Slyfield.

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Floreant Oriel et Maiastra!

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