Autumn in Malvern Festival's back with music and art

Now in its 35th year, the brainchild of founder and artistic director, Peter Smith, is set to enchant audiences once again.

Ticket holders can look forward to performances by the European Union Chamber Orchestra, a group of distinguished musicians hailing from various EU nations.

Howard Jacobson (Image: Malvern Music)

This year, they will present pieces by Mozart, Mendelssohn, Holst, and Bartok, including the seldom-played Variations on an Elizabethan Theme.

Originally commissioned for the Aldeburgh Festival by Benjamin Britten, the piece boasts Britten, Berkeley, Tippett, Searle and Walton as its creators.

The festival's literary strand features discussions on revered writers including Laurie Lee, AE Housman and Harry Maclean.

Tolkien expert, John Garth, tackles common misconceptions about the author's beloved Middle Earth and its famous inhabitants.

Talks by acclaimed author and Man Booker Award winner, Howard Jacobson, and Simon Armitage, Poet Laureate, headline the literary programme.

Mr Jacobson will be sharing extracts from his BBC Radio 4's A Point of View discussions, while Mr Armitage will be reading his own poetry along with a piece related to the Malvern Hills by American laureate, Robert Frost.

Alison Bevan (Image: Malvern Music)

Alison Bevan, director of the Royal West of England Academy, will be holding a talk on Cornish artist, Harold Harvey.

Music lovers can enjoy vocals from the Ensemble, Gaudeamus, as they depict the life of Richard III at Christ Church.

Simon Armitage (Image: Malvern Music)

A recital of Organ and Choral music by JS Bach with Aldwyn Voices featuring Iain Simcock will be held at the Grade I Listed St Leonards Chapel.

On a different note, the Malvern Ukulele Band brings their entertaining tunes outside Waitrose to delight unsuspecting shoppers.

Visually, the festival presents several exhibitions, including displays at Great Malvern Library showcasing the Lanchester Marionettes and New Paintings by Graham Davies.

Artist Kim Whitby will be demonstrating sketching and watercolour techniques.

Venues such as Elmslie House and Alchemy and Craftworks will also be hosting exhibitions.

Bridget Macdonald's artwork inspired by Catherine Swire's poetry will be presented at the Great Malvern Priory, with discussions held throughout October.