About Berkhamsted Music

Concerts in Berkhamsted feature a mix of chamber music ensembles and instruments: string and piano quartet/trio, piano solo and wind ensembles. The programmes offer a richly varied selection of composers and music periods. We present the well-known to the less familiar works, by Bach to Barber with Bosmans and Britten along the way, covering early music through to the contemporary. There is something for everyone.

Our artists range from well-established to new up-and-coming talents. They are all prize winning leaders in their field who perform regularly in major concert halls, festivals and competitions across the UK, Europe and beyond. We encourage our performers to talk about their music and their instruments. One concert in each season presents gifted young musician(s) sponsored by the Countess of Munster Musical Trust Recital Scheme.

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. In 2017 the society welcomed pianist Paul Lewis CBE as its new President. Paul is internationally regarded as one of the leading musicians of his generation.

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.