Acclaimed Pianist Returns to Direct Second Hellensmusic Festival

Hellensmusic Festival takes place this year from May 2 to May 5 at Hellens Manor, Much Marcle, bringing some of the world’s greatest musicians to Herefordshire in an exciting programme that combines unmissable concerts and masterclasses.

Praised as the ‘Glyndebourne of chamber music’ after its successful start last year, featured artists this year include the celebrated pianist, Christian Blackshaw, who has been widely praised for his recent Mozart Piano Sonatas recorded live at the Wigmore Hall.

On Saturday evening Christian will be joined by Máté Szűcs, principal viola of the Berlin Philharmonic under Sir Simon Rattle, and one of the great violists of his generation; Oleg Kogan, international prize winner and Founder/Director of the renowned Razumovsky Ensemble and Academy and Markus Däunert, Concertmaster of the Leipzig Gewandhaus Orchestre and principal guest violinist at the Scottish Chamber Orchestra. They will perform a programme including Brahms and Mozart’s famous piano quartets.

A recital of song with a magical selection of arias and lieder will take place on Sunday with three gifted young singers: Rachel Kelly, recently noted as one of the Royal Opera House’s new young stars, Elinor Rolfe Johnson, zion of a famous musical family, and Frederick Long, an exceptional new bass.

The festival also has two programmes aimed at music students and local school children, including a series of casterclasses. The classes create opportunity for exceptional 15–18 year old students to be directed and coached by the festival’s professional musicians. On Monday students will perform a final concert.

Tickets are available online from orpheus-events.com, 01905 570979 and from: Ice Bytes, Ledbury; The Music Box, Ross-on-Wye; Premier shop, Much Marcle and Outback, Hereford. For further information visit hellensmusic.com