Oxford University Sinfonietta, a photo from Oxfordshire, England

Photographer's Note

Still Raining, so looking for a new indoor activity. We found it in the
University Church of St Mary the Virgin. (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/University_Church_of_St_Mary_the_Virgin)

We were very lucky by this choice. Here we could listen to the last rehearsal of The Oxford University Sinfonietta (OUSinf) for the concert they were going to play that evening.

揟he Oxford University Sinfonietta (OUSinf) is one of UK抯 premier student orchestras. Made up of a small group of elite players from Oxford University, OUSinf performs at least once each university term, and specialises in challenging and rarely-performed repertoire. The orchestra acts as a platform for young talented players to gain valuable experience, and prepares them for further study at the conservatoire level. OUSinf continues to receive constant praise in local media, and no audience member ever leaves one of our concerts without having experienced something new and exciting.�
Source: http://ousinf.oums.org/

That the orchestra specializes in challenging and rarely-performed repertoire was not very clear from the program for this evening with three well-known classical works

THE PROGRAM

OU Sinfonietta - Conductor: Joseph Beesley - Leader: Katalin Oldland
Stravinsky � Pulcinella Suite
Milhaud � La Cr閍tion de Monde
Mozart � Symphony No. 41 揓upiter�

The photo was taken during the rehearsel of Mozart's Symphony No. 41 揓upiter�
Personally I would prefer the first work or rather one piece of the challenging and rarely-performed music the orchestra says is specialized.

■ Picture 1: ◄ The Church and the Sinfonietta ► https://i1.trekearth.com/photos/15099/te863-1.jpg
■ Picture 2: ◄ The Sinfonietta conductor Joseph Beesley ► https://i1.trekearth.com/photos/15099/te863-2.jpg
■ Picture 3: ◄ Some Members of the Sinfonietta ► https://i1.trekearth.com/photos/15099/te863-3.jpg

jhm, jean113, holmertz, pierrefonds, ikeharel, tyro, Royaldevon, pajaran, ChrisJ, worldcitizen, jimmyjimmy, adramad, PaulVDV, lucasgalodoido has marked this note useful

Critiques | Translate

holmertz (102846) 2020-06-30 5:20

Hello Rob,
Never mind that you didn't hear exactly the music you had preferred, you got yourself a number of nice photos and could probably listen to the OUSinf for free.
The main photo is a delightful combination of architecture and people, lots of colours and beautiful details. Only a sound file is missing.
In the WS we are as usual brought closer to the musicians step by step. Only the man to the left playing the violin looks considerably older than the average university student.
The three photos provide another very interesting contribution to TE.
Best regards,
Gert

jhm (211736) 2020-06-30 5:58

Goedemiddag Rob,

**Ik lees dat het nog steeds regent bij jullie, en bij ons niets, nochtans dringend nodig, de mais staat op plaatsen maar 10 cm hoog, waar hij normaal 1,50 m hoog zou moeten staan.**
Uw foto heeft twee heel mooie delen, de muziekkanten enerzijds en het zeer mooie orgel anderzijds.
Ik ben een grote fan van kerkorgel muziek.
Dit zorgt samen voor een plezante foto.
Heerlijk foto werk. Bedankt.

Nog een prettige dag gewenst,
John

Fis2 (170945) 2020-06-30 6:10

Witaj Rob!
Beautiful interior, wonderful organs, symphony orchestra is impressive.
I like POV, colors and sharpness.
Very well done WS too.
Nice afternoon.
Krzysztof

jean113 (27899) 2020-06-30 6:23

Hello Rob, an excellent point of view from an elevated position.
You manage to include so much detail in the main post with the ceiling, the magnificent organ, the pillars, the pulpit, before my eyes settle on the musicians.
I spy a red plastic bucket, I wonder why that was there!
The closer views of the musicians are also very interesting.
As Gert commented, a sound file would have been very welcome!
Thanks for sharing, kind regards, Jean.

Silvio1953 (221781) 2020-06-30 6:26

Ciao Rob, great view of fantastic interior, nice scene with orchestra in action, excellent clarity, splendid light and wonderful colors, very well done, my friend, ciao Silvio

pierrefonds (114608) 2020-06-30 7:37

Hi Rob,

You have captured well the action of the orchestra. The point of view is showing the details of this section of the University Church of St Mary the Virgin. The light is enhancing the beauty of the colours. Have a nice day.

Pierre

rychem (72187) 2020-06-30 7:48

A very good photo from the concert in a church, certainly the acoustics were excellent, beautiful church interior shown in vertical format, we can almost hear the music :)
regards Ryszard

Tue (92548) 2020-06-30 8:18

Hallo Rob,
Deze Oxfordse kapel is natuurlijk een prachtig decor voor de uitvoering van het studentorkest. Mooie symmetrie met de gotische bogen aan beide zijden en het orgel in het midden. Het orkest kent een lid van al gevorderde leeftijd, zou hij nog steeds niet zijn afgestudeerd of is hij als pensionado weer opnieuw gaan studeren?
Lars

tyro (30513) 2020-06-30 8:44

Hello Rob,

Well, what better way to spend some time out of the rain than to be entertained by some wonderful musicians producing some wonderful music? And, being a rather stuffy and boring old traditionalist, I should have been more than happy to listen to Mozart's last symphony all day long.

I'm surprised that you were allowed to take photographs during a performance, even if it was a rehearsal, but perhaps your camera has an almost silent shutter and you took your pictures during the last, and rather loud, movement? Also, if I observe correctly, you must have moved position on the balcony between your main photo and picture 2 as the angle of view under the organ and into the chancel has changed between the two.

I do very much like the way you have singled out individual musicians to produce a fine pentaptych as picture 3.

And, as always, an excellent note.

Wonderful!

Take care.

Kind Regards,

John.

Royaldevon (85932) 2020-06-30 8:57

Hello Rob,

When it's raining, Oxford has some interesting, interior places to visit.

You made a good choice, here.
Not only have you captured the church's interior, including fine details of the organ and the rood screen, but also managed to include a youth orchestra!

You were saturated by artistic experiences whilst you were there!

The cameos of the young musicians are useful additions. They show the concentration of the youngsters who may all be destined to become part of famous orchestras.

My warm regards,
Bev :-)

pajaran (116065) 2020-06-30 21:44

Greeting.
Nice interior and a moment with the orchestra, good text ...
Nicely shown with nice photos in the workshop, well captured moments.
I wish you all the best.
Paja.

jemaflor (147300) 2020-06-30 23:22

Hi Rob,
Great photo taken from a good POV, nice architecture, good light management, I imagine the music ... tfs.

ifege (48253) 2020-07-01 0:07

Hi Rob
Churches tend to have good acoustics for small ensembles. We have a period music group that comes down to one of our local churches each year - superb!
A good trio of photos of this orchestra playing an interesting mix of music.
cheers
Ian

emka (158204) 2020-07-01 0:21

hello Lars, I was inside this church but not during a concert. Must be fantastic to hear Jupiter Symphony in this surroundings. But I heard a beautiful concert at Kings College in Cambridge.

Best regards MAlgo

lousat (139362) 2020-07-01 1:21

Hi Rob,so a new interior activity during this unlucky weather,and you caught in a great way this exhibition of Oxford orchestra,great full view from above and 2 excellent close up n the WS made in a perfect quality,not easy to do so well.Have a nice dat and thanks,Luciano

abmdsudi (95869) 2020-07-01 2:59

Hi Rob
Great image, they all seemed to be enjoying themselves - being beautiful part of the huge classic interior architecture , Wonderful light and colours, and much detail to feast the eye. This is indeed an excellent capture under available light. Congrats.
Best regards

ikeharel (113501) 2020-07-01 3:40

Hello Rob,
The stage with the musicians and the big organ above are superbly appearing on the picture.
A fair distant point enable to include many details of the orchestra and the architecture of the church.
Good afternoon,
Ike

ChrisJ (171888) 2020-07-01 10:13

Hello Rob

Good inclusion of the musicians to add interest to the impressive cathedral interior. I wonder if they accompany the organ pipe? Nice repetition of the Gothic arches. Well framed and composed. Tfs!

worldcitizen (16108) 2020-07-01 17:04

Hello Rob,
Very well-executed and taken scene. The sharpness is great. I like all the details of the musicians, and also the beautiful organ above them. This is a wonderful spot to enjoy some music...and take some photos. :-)

jimmyjimmy (6164) 2020-07-01 18:42

Hello Rob

Big room, big shot. Tack sharp with capture of available light. Looks like it was a real privilege to capture such an event. Nice

jimmy

mkamionka (74637) 2020-07-02 2:30

Hi Rob,
yes, UK by nature is very encouraging to indoor activities, which are now limited in the pandemic times.
Well actually next weeks the pubs are opening. The shops already opened, cinemas will open soon but the schools will remain closed.

Excellent shot here, the architecture so elegant is well complemented by the little orchestra.
The add so much life and interest to the scene.
Excellent work,
M

Miguel82 (47110) 2020-07-02 12:48

Hallo Rob, the splendid interior and the remarkable organ immerse the viewers in a grandiose atmosphere. The pov is enough discreet to not disturb the orchestra. It is made of many violonists. All the musicians are concentrated. Fine colors, good sharpness, regards.

adramad (73030) 2020-07-04 10:20

Hi Rob.
Superb gothic setting, where this youthful orchestra rehearses, wonderful front, with the set of bows and the organ, a privilege both to hear them, and to be able to go up to the choir from where I suppose this splendid perspective is performed.
A fantastic photo, with beautiful natural colors, very good lighting and excellent sharpness.
Well done. I love it.
Enjoy the weekend.
Very best regards.
Luis.

PaulVDV (63024) 2020-07-11 23:49

Hallo Rob,
Uitstekende kwaliteit bij al je foto's van de Oxford University Sinfonietta.
Geweldig hoe je hoofdfoto zowel het symfonieorkest als het interieur van de universiteitskerk evenwaardig de hoofdrol geeft.
Wat het gebouw betreft, gaat het grote orgel heel goed samen met de galerijbogen en zuilen. Het orgel is een prachtig passend onderdeel van de architectuur geworden.
Ik denk wel dat dit symfonieorkest graag je foto als uithangbord wil nemen.
Prettige zondag, Paul

lucasgalodoido (27698) 2020-08-02 10:52

Ol� Rob,
muito bonita essa captura do interior da Igreja durante o concerto, a luz, cores e nitidez aqui ficaram excelentes. Belo trabalho.
Parab閚s e Abra鏾,
Lucas

jmdias (115342) 2020-09-01 12:03

rod

a special flagrant inside this traditional building. nice details of the musicians and the architecture around.a special moment for any visitor.

take care

jorge