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About Berkhamsted Music


Berkhamsted Music is a registered charity run by volunteers and supported by ticket sales and donations. We are members of Berkhamsted Arts Trust and are financially supported by the Countess of Munster Musical Trust.

The Society notes with sadness the death of Brian Norris, one of the most loyal and hard-working members who joined in 1973 and later, from 1989, served as the society’s Chairman for some 10 years.  Brian was born in Aylesbury and was a pupil of Berkhamsted School where his love for all aspects of music was encouraged and enhanced.  He studied at the Institute of Wood Science, later becoming a fellow of that body.  During his association with Berkhamsted Music he frequently gave advice on choices of performers, and during his time the Society hired many notable string quartets such as Delmé, Coull and Fitzwilliam; plus numerous groups and soloists.  With his wife Heidi, whom he married in 1960, he hosted several of the artists in his own home.  He loyally supported Antony Hopkins, our distinguished President of some 50 years, and was associated with the celebrations to mark Hopkins’ 90th birthday in 2011, and also the 80th birthday occasion of the noted composer Elizabeth Poston.  His advocacy of the young Freddy Kempf, and his subsequent recital at Berkhamsted School for Girls, performing in the Centenary Hall on the then recently acquired Bösendorfer piano, will be warmly remembered by many members.   His charm and friendliness as an individual will be missed by many, and the Society acknowledges with gratitude the inestimable benefit of his contribution to the Society over the years.

Our History

The Berkhamsted Music Society was formed in 1954 by Peter Stevenson, Daphne Heal and their musical friends at an inaugural meeting in the School Hall of Berkhamsted School for Girls. Peter Stevenson was elected Chairman at that meeting, and Daphne Heal as Vice-Chairman, Joyce Stevenson as Secretary and Christopher Morris as Treasurer. The pianist Benno Moiseiwitsch consented to be President and gave two unforgettable recitals before his death in 1963.


The following year the distinguished local composer and musician Antony Hopkins honoured the society by becoming its President, a post he held up to the date of his death in May 2014. Antony Hopkins provided magnificent support over the years giving lecture recitals which were enjoyed by a large audience. He gave his latest talk as recently as 2005.

In 2017 the society welcomed Paul Lewis CBE www.paullewispiano.co.uk as its new President. Paul is internationally regarded as one of the leading musicians of his generation. His cycles of core piano works by Beethoven and Schubert have received unanimous critical and public acclaim worldwide.

The society has enjoyed programmes from many famous artists over the years – these include Natalie Clein, Lesley Garrett, Steven Isserlis, Emma Kirkby, Freddy Kempf, Stephen Kovacevich, John Lenehan, John Lill, Tasmin Little, Lawrence Power, Raphael Wallfisch, Kathryn Stott and innumerable string quartets and other recitalists.

Another highly valued feature of the society is the excursions to venues in London to hear orchestral concerts or visits to other venues such as Oxford and Milton Keynes. These start from Berkhamsted in comfortable coaches and are usually planned for 4-6 times a year.

Committee


Paul Lewis CBE

President

Vacant

Colin Mitchell

Neil Kennedy

Guy Dawkins

Ian Fyfe 

Anthea Lovatt

Bob Hattersley