It's music all the way with a series of concerts promoted by Southend Council's Arts Department to take us into the new year.

There will be six concerts from January to June at the Plaza Centre, Southchurch Road starting on Friday, January 29 with the Mercury Piano Trio.

They will present a programme of chamber music, including Brahm's Trio in C minor Op 87 and Mozart's Trio in G major K496.

The Mercury Trio consists of three highly experienced chamber musicians - David Elwin (piano), David Angel (violin) and Elizabeth Parker (cello).

Elizabeth grew up in the Southend area and was a member of many local orchestras and music groups. She is well-known to local audiences, although she now lives and works in London.

The recital starts at 8pm and tickets are available from music shops, information centres, the Plaza Centre, the Civic Centre or by post from the Arts Department, PO Box 6, Civic Centre, Victoria Avenue, Southend. Tickets cost £7.20 (£6 concessions) and £3.30 (£2.75 concessions) for concert club members.

The series continues with a recital by Welsh pianist Daniel Martyn Lewis on February 12, in a programme to include works by Beethoven and Rachmaninov.

On March 12, back by popular demand, is Richard Baker of radio and TV fame, who will present an evening entitled Music with Memories.

Superb vocal ensemble the Cambridge Scholars will present a concert on April 23, ranging from spirituals, folk songs and close harmony to Renaissance shows and popular classics.

On May 14 the Chamber group Jeux will present an evening of music for flute, cello and harp. Their programme will include works by Faure, Vivaldi Villa-Lobos and Rossini.

The final concert of the series on June 4 will be given by the Bingham String Quartet, whose programme will include works by Mendelssohn, Mozart and Puccini. They will be joined by cellist Sebastian Millett for a performance of Schubert's ethereal String Quarter in C major.

Membership of the Concert Club is still available and entitles members to half price tickets for the concerts in the series, as well as discount at the Cliffs Pavilion.

For details contact Arts Department, PO Box 6, Civic Centre, Victoria Avenue, Southend SSR 6ER.

Mercury rising - the Mercury Piano Trio kick off a new series of classical music recitals at the Plaza Centre, Southend with a programme of music by Brahms and Mozart

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