Hellensmusic Festival 2025

Hellensmusic 8-11 May 2025

Much Marcle

International music festival in Herefordshire co-founded by Christian Blackshaw

Concert programmes include a world premiere for Bandoneon and Strings by Omar Massa and music by Lera Auerbach Bartók Beethoven Rebecca Clarke and Dohnányi.

Festival includes a music residency for international students

Now in its 12th year Hellensmusic is an international music festival that takes place every May at Hellens Manor St Bartholomew’s Church and The Walwyn Arms in Much Marcle Herefordshire. It was founded by virtuoso British pianist Christian Blackshaw and Adam Munthe (Chair of the family trust that runs Hellens Manor). The Festival includes four days of chamber music concerts alongside free to observe masterclasses during the day.

Joining Christian Blackshaw as Artistic Directors are the violinist Maya Iwabuchi (leader of the Royal Scottish National Orchestra) and Matthew Hunt (Principal clarinetist of the Deutsche Kammerphilharmonie Bremen). They have invited colleagues from round the world to join them to present a four day programme of concerts: Amy Harman (Principal bassoon of the Aurora Orchestra) Gareth Lubbe (ex-principal viola in the Gewandhaus Orchestra) Alice Neary (Principal Cellist of BBC NOW) Julien Quentin (Pianist) Omar Massa (Composer and bandoneon player) and Charlotte Scott (violin).

Highlights of the four day festival include a world premiere by composer and bandoneon player Omar Massa in a programme that includes music by Dohnányi Mozart and Haydn performed in The Great Barn at Hellens Manor on Saturday 10 May. The Festival opens in St. Bartholomew’s Church on Thursday 8 May with a folk music inspired programme showcasing music by JS Bach Biber Bartók and Rebecca Clarke. The evening concert on Saturday night sees Julien Quentin Omar Massa and Matthew Hunt perform 300 years of the Greatest Hits at Much Marcle’s pub the Walwyn Arms.

In addition to the concert programme Hellensmusic invites international students to learn live and work alongside our distinguished professionals performing both as soloists and side by side with their tutors. All this in the beautiful surroundings of an ancient manor house.

Tickets are now on sale at https://hellensmusic.com/

For further information please contact:

Sabina Nielsen 

[email protected]

0044 7890 282386 

HELLENSMUSIC 2025 PROGRAMME

THURSDAY 8th MAY

19:30 | St Bartholomew’s Church Much Marcle

From the Church to the Café - Solo Bach to Argentinian Tangos

J.S. Bach Piazzola Bartók Viardot Poulenc Chopin Biber 

Maya Iwabuchi (violin) Charlotte Scott (violin) Gareth Lubbe (viola) Alice Neary (cello) Matthew Hunt (clarinet) Omar Massa (bandoneon) Christian Blackshaw (piano) Julien Quentin (piano) and Aixa Figini (voice).

FRIDAY 9 MAY

18:30 | Great Barn Hellens

Connections

Mozart Elgar Auerbach and Shostakovich

Maya Iwabuchi (violin) Charlotte Scott (violin) Gareth Lubbe (viola) Alice Neary (cello) Matthew Hunt (clarinet) Amy Harman (bassoon) and Hellensmusic Masterclass Students

Elgar – Romance for Bassoon and String Quartet Op. 62

Lera Auerbach – Piano Trio No. 1 Op. 28

Mozart – ‘Kegelstatt’ Trio in E-Flat Major K. 498 (clarinet viola and piano)

Beethoven - Cavatina from the String Quartet No.13 in B-flat Major Op.130

Shostakovich – Piano Trio No. 2 in E Minor Op. 67

21:00 | Walwyn Arms Much Marcle

300 Years of the Greatest Hits at the Pub

Performed by Julien Quentin Omar Massa Matthew Hunt Gareth Lubbe and students

One

SATURDAY 10th May

17:30 | Great Barn Hellens

Haydn Mozart Dohnányi and Massa

Maya Iwabuchi (violin) Charlotte Scott (violin) Gareth Lubbe (viola) Alice Neary (cello) Matthew Hunt (clarinet) Amy Harman (bassoon) Omar Massa (bandoneon) Julien Quentin (piano) and Hellensmusic Masterclass Students. 

This concert features the world premiere by composer and bandoneon virtuoso Omar Massa: Prologue and Tango and Tango Scherzo for bandoneon and strings performed by the composer himself alongside Hellensmusic resident artists.

Haydn – String Quartet in A Major Op. 20 No. 6

Mozart – Opera Arias for Wind Sextet

Omar Massa –  Scenes from Buenos Aires for Bandoneon and String Quartet

Dohnányi – Sextet in C Major Op. 37

20:30 | Great Barn Hellens

Evening Serenade: Mozart and Tchaikovsky

Charlotte Scott (violin) Gareth Lubbe (viola) Alice Neary (cello) Matthew Hunt (clarinet) Amy Harman (bassoon) Christian Blackshaw (piano) and Hellensmusic Masterclass Students

Mozart – Serenade in E-Flat Major K. 375

Tchaikovsky – Souvenir de Florence Op. 70

SUNDAY 11th MAY

The final concerts of the week showcase the culmination of the Masterclass programme.

11:00 | Great Barn Hellens

Beethoven – Sextet for Winds in E-Flat Major Op. 17

Plus a selection of solo works performed by Masterclass Students

15:00 | Great Barn Hellens

Franck – Piano Quintet in F Minor

Plus a selection of solo works performed by Masterclass Students

Host or Publisher Hellensmusic