A STRONG line-up of international musicians is planned for the new season of next month's Bromsgrove Concerts.

The seven-concert programme begins at Spadesbourne Hall, Spadesbourne Suite, in Burcot Lane, on Friday October 12 with Configure 8, which was formed to celebrate the 200th anniversary of the birth of Franz Schubert.

The season which runs until April 2002 features music from the 19th century including Schumann, Dvorak and Tchaikovsky.

Musicians playing include the renowned Stamic Quartet of Prague, Schubert Ensemble of London and the Schidlof Quartet.

Configure 8 was formed in 1997 by some of London's finest young players and featuring Fiona Cross clarinet, brings one of the best loved of all chamber music -- Schubert's life enhancing Octet --a work guaranteed to lift the spirits, according to the organisers.

Next in the season is The Rachmaninov Quartet, from southern Russia, on their first extended British tour.

The performance on Friday October 26 will end with Shostakovich's Quartet No.8 which commemorates the Second World War and the bombing of Dresden.

Also featured in the programme include John Mark Ainsley and Iain Burnside, The Stamic Quartet of Prague and Madeleine Mitchell, Paul Watkins and Andrew Ball.

For more information log-on to www.bromsgrove-concerts.org.uk or call honorary secretary Gill Fredrick (01527) 874162.