THE renowned Feinstein Ensemble is performing at Malvern Concert Club's first event of the year on Thursday, January 26.

This concert is the early music slot in the club's season and the programme will concentrate on music written by J S Bach during one of the happiest periods of his life.

This was when he was court conductor at the principality of Coethen in Germany. He wrote many of his important instrumental works at the time and favoured the flute, then a recent invention, over the more established recorder.

To provide a contrast, works by the other great German composers of the day, Handel and Telemann, are also included.

The ensemble is led by virtuoso flute and recorder player Martin Feinstein, whose playing was described in a leading US magazine as "beyond praise - I have never heard better".

The same critic said of the ensemble: "They play with a lightness and delicacy, yet also with a security and force that are a sheer delight."

The group was warmly applauded when it appeared at the Autumn in Malvern festival in 2003 and it was that performance that led to this week's engagement for the concert club.

"It should be a memorable event and one that should appeal equally to lovers of early music played on authentic instruments and also the mainstream classical audience," said club spokesman Ernie Kay. "A large audience is anticipated."

The concert is at The Forum at 7.30pm and tickets (£14, £13 concessions, £5 students) are available from Malvern Theatres box office on 01684 892277.