Strings of the English Symphony Orchestra continue their 'Journeys and Discoveries' season in Malvern – with violinist Zoë Beyers as soloist.

The first of two concerts to be given by the English Symphony Orchestra (ESO) at Malvern Theatres on Saturday, January 21 is entitled ‘Visions of Italy’.

It features the strings of the orchestra in an Italian inspired showcase, said to be "full of verve and vitality" and aimed to appeal to a wide audience.

The programme opens with Respighi’s colourful ‘Ancient Airs and Dances’ and ends with Tchaikovsky’s ‘Souvenir de Florence’.

“I’ve wanted to perform Souvenir de Florence with the ESO since I first joined the orchestra, so this is an especially exciting concert for me,” said artistic director and conductor Kenneth Woods.

“It’s one of the glories of the string orchestra repertoire, and to do it with one of the most admired string orchestras around is a thrill.”

In between, Zoë Beyers, leader of the ESO, will perform as soloist in Felix Mendelssohn’s sparkling D minor Violin Concerto.

It was written while the composer was still a young teen prodigy in 1822.

Forgotten and overshadowed by the composer’s well-known E-minor Concerto, which has become a stalwart of the repertoire, the D minor Concerto was only published in more recent times thanks to a revival by the internationally renowned violinist, Yehudi Menuhin.

For the last ten years of his life, Menuhin served as principal guest conductor of the ESO.

Menuhin found the piece, “full of invention” and, at the American premiere, The New York Times admired its "lively jesting finale in the gypsy style".

Each year, the ESO headlines an ambitious series of concerts in Worcester, Malvern, Hereford, and across the Midlands’ region and as far as Oxford, Bristol and London.

Visions of Italy will take place on January 21 at Forum Theatre, Malvern Theatres, Great Road, Great Malvern, at 7.30pm.

Tickets online and on the door start from £25 (under 18s £5) or can be purchased at:

https://eso.co.uk/21jan23-malvern

The following concert at Malvern Theatres entitled ‘Journey to America’ will take place on February 25 at 7.30pm. Tickets can also be purchased online.

Full details of the orchestra’s current schedule can be found at www.eso.co.uk