THE English Symphony Orchestra opens its new season at Malvern Theatres with the first of a series of concerts examining the town of Leipzig.

The Leipzig Years Series looks at the German town's contribution to music, particularly the classicism of Mendelssohn and the romanticism of Schumann.

"One hears about Vienna so much," said musical director William Boughton.

"In Leipzig, although we know the composers, very rarely do we put them together and have a look at that period. Leipzig became one of the major musical centres in Europe."

On Friday, October 10, pianist Llyr Williams replaces the Romanian Radu Lupu, who has had to cancel because of illness, as soloist.

Mr Williams will join the ESO to perform the Schumann Piano Concerto in a programme that will also include Mendelssohn's Overture to A Midsummer Night's Dream and String Symphony No 6 in Eb, as well as Schumann's 'Spring' Symphony No 1 in Bb. The concert will be preceded by a talk, Leipzig's Musical Heritage, by historian Pamela Hurle, about the link between Malvern resident Jenny Lind and Robert and Clara Schumann.

The series continues on November 9 with a Remembrance Concert. A quartet of vocal soloists joins the St Michael's Singers and the ESO for Mendelssohn's Italian Symphony, Rossini's Stabat Mater and the premiere of Elaine Hugh-Jones's Wilfred Owen Songs.

On November 28 cellist Paul Watkins joins the orchestra for Schumann's Cello Concerto in A minor, in a programme that also includes the composer's Symphony No 4 in D minor, Mendelssohn's Overture to Ruy Blas and Wagner's Siegfried Idyll.

Leeds Piano Competition winner Antti Siirala will perform Chopin's Piano Concerto No 1 in E minor on December 12.

Outside the Leipzig series, Schumann's Symphony No 3 in Eb, Rhenish, is the subject of a 'Discovery Concert' on Friday, October 17.

With the aid of visual displays, William Boughton will give an insight into the orchestration and style of writing, followed by a complete performance of the work.

For more information, call the Malvern Theatres box office on 01684 892277.