A somewhat quirky mood: Stephen McNeff’s new violin concerto for Fenella Humphreys & London Mozart Players mixes Baroque inspiration with something more contemporary

The London Mozart Players (Photo: Kaupo Kickkas)

On Friday 21 November 2025, violinist Fenella Humphreys, the London Mozart Players and conductor Jonathan Bloxham will give the premiere of the Violin Concerto by Stephen McNeff at St Martin in the Fields, London. The work is a commission from the London Mozart Players and the John Armitage Memorial Trust and it will receive a further performance at the JAM on the Marsh Festival on Romney Marsh in 2026.

McNeff has scored the piece for strings, harpsichord and percussion and he takes his inspiration from a classic baroque style, particularly in the relatively small forces required – just strings and harpsichord, but with a twist. McNeff has added percussion to the mix: temple blocks, bells, even an ominous quiet bass drum one point. He suggests that the percussion “offers a dimension not encountered in earlier music and suggests perhaps a somewhat quirky mood”.

Conductor Jonathan Bloxham is pairing the work with two pieces by Beethoven, Coriolan Overture and Symphony No.3 in E flat Major Op.55, ‘Eroica’ so we can expect drama and fireworks.

Full details from the London Mozart Players’ website.