THE hills will be alive with the sound of music next month as Malvern plays host to a series of concerts commemorating the 70th anniversary of Sir Edward Elgar's death.

The concerts, which will take place at Malvern's Priory Church on Church Street, have been organised by BBC Radio Three in memory of the famous composer, who lived in the town for part of his life.

Each of the hour-long performances will see high-quality musicians perform renowned pieces of classical music including all of Elgar's major chamber works.

The Sorrel Quartet & Martin Roscoe will play Milhaud's La Creation du Mond and Elgar's Piano Quartet on Tuesday, February 3.

Then on Tuesday, February 10, The Lindsays will perform a string quartets by Debussy and Elgar.

And Elgar's Violin Sonata will be given an airing alongside Ravel's Violin Sonata in a performance by Catherine Leonard and Charles Owen on Tuesday, February 17.

The Galliard Ensemble will conclude the series in Malvern on Tuesday, February 24, with performances of Ravel's Le Tombeau de Couperin, Milhaud's La Cheminee du Roi Rene and Elgar's Harmony Music Number Five.

Each of the performances will be recorded by BBC Radio Three for future broadcast in their lunchtime concerts feature.

A spokeswoman for Malvern Priory Church said they were pleased the venue was being used for the concerts.

"The BBC felt it was going to be a very good venue to hold the concerts," she said.

"It's very good to see that the church is being used for things that attract lots of different people outside of the regular Sunday services."

The concerts are being held between 1pm and 2pm and audiences should be seated by 12.45pm.

BBC Radio Three producer Chris Taylor said he hoped Malvern residents would come along.

"Live music-making is a key ingredient of BBC Radio Three's broadcasting and I'm delighted that we're able to bring world-renowned artists to Malvern," he said.

"I hope people are able to join us for this wonderful commemoration of Elgar's life."

Tickets for the performances, which will be broadcast between Tuesday, February 24, and Friday, February 27 at 1pm, are priced £4 or £2 concessions and are available from Malvern Tourist Information Centre, on Church Street, on 01684 892289.