FRESH from a successful open air concert at the Three Counties Showground, the English Symphony Orchestra is now turning its attentions to a new season featuring work by Schubert and Beethoven.

Five concerts have been scheduled between now and March at The Forum, Malvern Theatres, taking in a Schubert Symphonic Cycle and the complete Beethoven Piano Concertos, performed by five different soloists.

Artistic director William Boughton said combining the work of the two composers highlights the effect that Beethoven had on his contemporary Schubert.

"Schubert thought of the symphony as the highest of musical art forms and was courageous in tackling the form and, indeed, completing all of his symphonies before the age that Beethoven had even started his 'First'," he said.

"It is fair to say that all of Schubert's music is from his early period as he was tragically taken from this world at such an early age.

"If he had lived to Beethoven's age he would have heard all of Mendelssohn's output and have witnessed the rise of the 'romantic' symphony in the hands of Berlioz.

"The Beethoven piano concertos remain the great cornerstone of the concerto repertoire and this chance to hear all of them in one season by some of the most outstanding British talent is indeed a rare opportunity.

"Given the problems of this last year I'm delighted that the ESO is producing this series and look forward to these concerts with great anticipation."

The opening concert is on Thursday, October 5, and features pianist Leon McCawley as soloist.

Mr McCawley won the Ninth International Piano Competition in Vienna at the age of 19, also securing second prize in the Leeds International Competition.

He made his BBC Proms debut in 1995, appearing with the Bournemouth Symphony Orchestra, and has since toured in America, Europe and Australia.

The programme is Schubert's Symphony No 1 in D and Symphony No 2 in B flat, Beethoven's Piano Concerto No 1 in C and Mozart's Overture from Don Giovanni.

The second concert will be on Friday, October 27, featuring soloist Simon Mulligan, and includes Mozart's popular Eine Kleine Nachtmusik, as well as Schubert's Symphony No 3 in D, Beethoven's Piano Concerto No 3 in C minor and Haydn's Symphony No 101 in D (The Clock).

Further concerts will be held on Friday, November 24, Friday, February 23, and Friday, March 30.

The February concert will feature a soloist known to the Malvern audience, pianist Charles Owen. Mr Owen appeared at the Malvern Theatres in March with cellist Natalie Clein, as part of the Malvern Concert Club season.

Tickets are now on sale for the whole season from the Malvern Theatres' box office on 01684 892277.

They range from £5 to £20 and there is a 20 per cent discount for all five.