‘Not all orchestras are the same ... Ok, it’s a not very snappy name, so we tend to call ourselves the OAE. The OAE is probably one of the top “period instruments” Orchestras in the world. What does this mean? Well, over the years instruments and techniques have changed. We try to be authentic, by using instruments and playing styles similar to those the composer would have been familiar with. You get to hear what Vivaldi actually wrote, not a modern version of it. You might be wondering what difference this makes to the actual sound. Well, it tends to be a more edgy sound than polished modern orchestras. It’s a gutsy and definitely a less “polite” sound. Plus the OAE is well known for its sheer enthusiasm for music, which comes across at every performance ...’