THE ELGAR Chorale of Worcester will be raising the rafters of a Malvern Link church, this October.

The choir will be performing on Saturday October 15 at the Church of the Ascension, Newton Rd, from 7.30 pm.

On offer, in a venue with great acoustics, will be an evening of "Renaissance Polyphony".

A spokesman said: "This is timeless music of the 16th and early 17th centuries by some of the most prestigious composers of the age.

"There will be masses and motets by Victoria and Byrd, the latter in five parts; and the highlight of the evening will undoubtedly be a rare performance of two 40-part motets by the Italian Striggio and Englishman Thomas Tallis, one of which led to the other."

The spokesman explained: "Striggio brought his work to the Elizabethan court where it inspired Tallis to produce what is considered one the finest pieces of early English music, used on a number of film scores in recent years.

"Because of the scale of the works and numbers of independent voices required, the Chorale is swelling its ranks for the evening with singers from other local choirs and some from further afield. The overall effect promises to be absolutely unforgettable, especially given the amazing acoustic of Ascension Church, which lends itself perfectly to such music."

The combined forces will be under the baton of Piers Maxim, Director of Music of the Elgar Chorale and of Malvern Priory.

He has a national and international reputation as a conductor of music of the earlier periods.

Tickets and further details at, administrator@elgarchorale.com, by phoning 01684 594570, or on the door.