Having enjoyed two concerts this past year in the lovely Sheldonian Theatre, built in the 1660’s, I decided to find a venue that was a bit more suited to my musical tastes . . . and to the need for blood flow in my legs. So last week I attended a chamber concert in the Holywell Music Room, which was built a century later–the first purpose-built music room in Europe, apparently–and which is a block from our house. I loved the simplicity and intimacy of the space, the great acoustics no matter where you sat, and I really like chamber and other small-group music, so I think I’ll be finding my way back there, and soon. Little by little, we’re finding our favorites in this town . . .
Erin
England: the hipsters of Europe.
Great to hear you attended and that the venue was perfect!
How interesting! I was never in the Holywell Music Room! It looks like a fantastic venue for chamber music. You still need to attend a King’s College Choir concert before you leave. Also, another thing you should go see is one of the free organ recitals… That musical tradition has really died here in the U.S., but you can hear tons of phenomenal organists there. The principal organist at Christ Church is helping commission a new organ at a Church in Abingdon next week: http://www.organist.org.uk/concerts.html — but really, any of the big old colleges have organ scholars who are usually fantastic.
Oh! I want to go too! Maybe next trip!