Richmond Concert Society (RCS) is kicking off its new season with a concert by the London Conchord Ensemble on Tuesday but the performance marks the end of an era for the society as Howard Greenwood steps down from his role as musical director, writes Will Gore.

Greenwood has been at the helm of RCS since its inception in 1962 and, to celebrate the end of his tenure as musical director, he has hand-picked the programme for the concert.

Pieces that will be performed include Handel’s Concerto Grosso, Bach’s Orchestral Suite No2 and Brandenburg’s Concerto No5 – a piece Greenwood was particularly keen to include.

He explains: “The Brandenburg Concerto has a fantastic keyboard part. There are not that many harpsichordists who can play it and so we have the best harpsichordist in the land in Maggie Cole to play it for us.”

The reason for Greenwood’s decision to step down is due to the fact he is swiftly approaching his 80th birthday and he is delighted to be leaving the society in the safe hands of its new musical director, Kevin Raferty.

“It has been very much a baby of mine but I have been looking around for someone who I could trust to keep it operating along the lines I would like it to be,” says Greenwood. “I was introduced to Kevin and he was every-thing I could hope for, although I am still staying on as artistic advisor and will be writing some of the programme notes.”

Greenwood trained at the Guildhall School, is an associate of the Royal College of Music and has given piano recitals at the Wigmore Hall, Queen Elizabeth Hall and many more of London’s premier music venues.

As well as his work running RCS, he was chairman of artsrichmond for six years and, despite all of this cultural activity, he also spent many years in the city in his day job as an underwriter.

Greenwood is proud of the progress RCS has made under his stewardship, with membership now numbering 550.

“The concert society is something that took a long time to get off the ground but then it really took off and we are now one of the prime concert organisations in the country,” he says.

“We have had concerts by so many brilliant musicians including Dame Janet Baker, Dame Felicity Lott and Stephen Hough.

“The big names ask to play here because they know they will have a big audience and a knowledgeable and appreciative one.

“Another reason it has been so successful is that the concert tickets have always been affordable. I never wanted music to be elitist.”

Tuesday's concert will see the unveiling of a portrait of Greenwood that has been painted by local artist Nuala Rowlands as part of his retirement gift. Has he had a sneak preview of the painting?

“Yes, I have seen it,” he says. “It makes me look fairly severe, which I don’t think I am, but she obviously sees something in me that I don’t see myself. She really is a brilliant artist.”

The London Conchord Society, The German School, Petersham Road, September 29, 7.30pm. Ticket availability is strictly limited.

For more information visit richmondconcerts.co.uk