GRAND concerts in su-mptuous surroundings, solo sonatas in candlelit churches and a symphony for mobile phones will all form part of the Cheltenham International Festival of Music.

The town's 2002 festival, in the second two weeks of July, combines themes of work by Stravinsky and one of his strongest musical influences, J S Bach, interpreted by artists including Emma Kirkby and the BBC Singers. It features many familiar faces from past performances in Malvern.

The festival's first full day, Saturday, July 6, features a portrait of 20th Century pioneer Elisabeth Lutyens with anecdotes and memoirs from former pupils linking the pieces. It is followed by Melvyn Tan playing Copeland, Schumann, Ives and Stravinsky with the BBC Symphony Orchestra.

That day will also see a Picnic in the Park, organised as part of the Festival Fringe, from 6.15pm in Pittville Park. Entertainments will be followed by fireworks at 10pm.

Emma Kirkby, collaborating with James Gilchrist, the London Baroque End-ymion Ensemble and Peter Stark, will be playing a cantata programme at the Town Hall on Monday, July 8. Emma has sung with the Malvern based English Symphony Orchestra at the Three Counties Showground.

Other highlights include recent Malvern Concert Club guests, the Skampa Quartet, who share a particular affinity with their compatriot Dvork, performing his String Quartet in G on the Wednesday. Also on the bill are Volans' White Man Sleeps and Beethoven's String Quartet in F Minor.

Later that day the Orchestra of the Age of the Enlightenment's period strings will blend with exotic Japanese period instruments including the shakuhachi and koto. They will be playing a selection from Purcell, Lawes, Kakinuma, M Berkeley and J S Bach.

Violinist Priya Mitchell, who is performing work by J S Bach and M Berkeley on Friday, July 12, and the Nash Ensemble, who are performing a selection of pieces by Mozart, Schumann, Turnage and Franck the next day, will both figure as part of Malvern Concert Club's centenary celebrations later this year.

The following Wednesday will see the Florestan Trio interpret a new work by John Casken alongside pieces by Schumann and Beethoven.

The day will be rounded off with Anthony Marwood playing Bach on his violin by candlelight in the surroundings of St Peter and St Paul's Church in Northleach.

French harpsichord virtuoso Elisabeth Chojnacka will kick off the festival's final weekend, which also features the Cheltenham SIM-phone-ya playing a world premiere. Simon Turner and Marcus Moore will be leading a composition for massed mobile phones which anyone can join in before Emma Johnson and friends take over the Town Hall to interpret works by Stravinsky, Schumann, Mozart and Bartk.

Steven Isserlis will join Susan Tomes and Simon Callow (to be confirmed) to help round the whole event off the following day by telling Why Beethoven Threw the Stew - a show based on Isserlis' best-selling book of the same name detailing delightful anecdotes from the world of classical composers and their music.

Many, many more events are planned, and the Fringe Festival will also be bringing the town to life throughout the 16 days.

The programme is now out, more information at www.cheltenhamfestivals.co.uk or from the box office on 01242 227979.