Ten major orchestras are coming to Southend for the new season of classics at the Cliffs Pavilion.

A feast of top talent is coming from as far away as Moscow and Hungry, with programmes rich in classical and romantic works.

The New Queen's Hall Orchestra start the season on October 3, celebrating the work of three of Britain's greatest composers.

Leland Chen will perform Delius' violin concerto, and there will also be works by Elgar and Vaughan Williams.

In November the Hungarian National Philharmonic Orchestra with conductor and soloist Zoltan Kocsis will perform Mozart's piano concerto 21. There will also be works by Wagner, Bartok, List and Brahms.

Pianist Christine Ortiz will play Ravel's concerto in G minor with the Orchestra of St John's Smith Square in November. This programme includes works by Rossini, Sibelius and Ravel.

That grand old man of music Yehudi Menuhin will be remembered with a dedication concert in December by the English Symphony Orchestra and the Saint Michael Singers from Coventry Cathedral.

They will perform one of the world's best-known oratorios The Messiah. Lord Menuhin was due to conduct the concert, but his close associate William Boughton will both conduct and give a talk in tribute to his mentor.

Ever since winning Young Musician of the Year Emma Johnson has been a firm favourite with audiences. She will be playing Mozart's clarinet concerto at the first concert of the millennium with the English Chamber Orchestra.

In February the Netherlands Symphony Orchestra will perform works by John Adams and Saint Seans as well as featuring Derek Han in Rachmaninov's 3rd piano concerto.

The Philharmonia Orchestra will visit Southend in both February and March with leading Russian conductor Alexander Lazarev on the podium.

March will also see the Polish National Radio Symphony Orchestra return to the Cliffs with virtuoso violinist Marat Bisengaliev playing Bruch's 1st violin concerto.

The New Queen's Hall Orchestra are back for their second concert of the year in March, followed by the Moscow Philharmonic and the London Mozart Players in May.

There are tremendous savings to be made by booking more than one concert at once, so for lovers of orchestral music, things could hardly get better!

For full details of programmes and prices call at the Cliffs box office in Station Road, Westcliff or phone 01702 351135.

Music for your ears - Marat Bisengaliev will be the soloist for Bruch's first violin concerto with the polish National radio Symphony Orchestra during the season of classical concerts

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