Una Corda

Una Corda is a concert series giving Oxford audiences a chance to hear new piano music, and to meet contemporary composers and performers. It also provides a professional outlet for musicians coming out of both Oxford’s universities.

Our aim is to create a relaxed and attentive atmosphere – like a listening party that mixes experimental sounds with more traditionally pianistic styles.

The series is curated by local pianist Tim Croston.

In piano notation, una corda (literally “one string”) means to use the soft-pedal. This pedal shifts the whole mechanism of the piano – including the keys – slightly to the right. Then the hammers, which normally strike three strings per note, strike only one or two strings per note. This produces a quieter sound with a different tone quality.