THE third concert in the English Symphony Orchestra's Schubert/Beethoven series will take place next Friday at Malvern Theatres.

So far the series has proved very popular with tickets for the last two concerts virtually selling out and there are only a few tickets left for the November concert.

Each of the five concerts features a different outstanding young pianist and on Friday Paul Lewis will be taking centre stage.

Paul Lewis first gained international recognition by winning second prize in the 1994 World Piano Competition in London with his performance of Rachmaninov's Third Piano Concerto.

In 1997 Steinway and Sons chose him to become their 1000th registered Steinway Artist and his recent performances include a debut with Bournemouth Symphony Orchestra and his BBC's Proms debut playing Lizst's Piano Concerto No 1 with Mark Elder and the BBC's Symphony Orchestra.

The concert programme for Friday, November 24 includes Mozart's Overture, The Marriage of Figaro, Schubert's Symphony No 5, Beethoven's Piano Concerto No 4 in G and Schubert's Symphony No 6 in C "Little".

Music director and conductor William Boughton said the response so far to the series has been "overwhelming".

"I think we only had eight seats left empty at the last concert," he said.

"I think the nature of the pieces has helped and I like to think that the concert-going public of Malvern hold the orchestra very close to their hearts and support it because they want it to stay in existence and stay in Malvern, for which I'm extremely grateful," said Mr Boughton.

"I know they're enjoying the series from their response at the end of the concerts," he added.

The ESO's Millennium Appeal is still going strong and has now raised about £55,000 towards its £100,000 target, which Mr Boughton said he is pleased with.

And its Messiah concert is selling out fast with only a few tickets left for the concerts in Malvern and Tewkesbury.

For concert tickets call the Malvern Theatres box office on 01684 892277.