A new bandoneon concerto amidst the musical delights of Christian Blackshaw’s festival, Hellensmusic in an historic Herefordshire village

Hellens Manor, Much Marcle, Herefordshire

Hellensmusic is a music festival that takes place every May at Hellens Manor, St Bartholomew’s Church, and The Walwyn Arms in the historic Herefordshire village of Much Marcle (the name comes from the Anglo Saxon word for field). 

Founded by pianist Christian Blackshaw and Adam Munthe (chair of the family trust that runs Hellens Manor), the festival returns this year for its 12th edition from 8 to 13 May 2025 featuring a world premiere for bandoneon and strings by Omar Massa and music by Lera Auerbach, Bartók, Beethoven, Rebecca Clarke and Dohnányi.

For 2025, Blackshaw is joined as artistic director by violinist Maya Iwabuchi (leader of the Royal Scottish National Orchestra) and Matthew Hunt (Principal clarinetist of the Deutsche Kammerphilharmonie Bremen) and they have invited colleagues from round the world to join them to present a four day programme of concerts.

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. Early evening on Saturday 10 May in The Great Barn at Hellens Manor will feature world premiere by Argentinian composer and bandoneon player Omar Massa in a programme that includes music by Dohnányi, Mozart and Haydn. The Saturday evening concert sees the festival performers joined by Hellensmusic Masterclass Students for Mozart’s Serenade in E flat and Tchaikovsky’s Souvenir de Florence, and in the Walwyn Arms pub in Much Marcle, Julien Quentin, Omar Massa and Matthew Hunt perform 300 years of the Greatest Hits.

Full details from the festival website.