MUSIC fans have a rare chance to go behind the scenes when top violinist Nigel Kennedy and the English Symphony Orchestra rehearse in Malvern.

Kennedy and the ESO will be performing concerts in Chelten-ham and Birmingham to raise money for the Acorns Children's Hospice.

The concerts are on Saturday and Sunday, July 23-24, but on Friday, July 22, Kennedy and the ESO will be throwing open the doors to their final rehearsal at Malvern Theatres.

The event will give music lovers a chance to see the musicians putting the final touches to their performance, fine-tuning the pieces and making subtle changes.

The programme includes Men-delssohn's Hebrides Overture, Elgar's Violin Concerto in B Minor and Mlynarski's Concerto No 2 in D for Violin and Orchestra.

The Mlynarski work is Kenn-edy's own choice and has an interesting background, since Emil Mlynarski was a contemporary and friend of Elgar.

Music historian Lyndon Jenkins, also the artistic director of Birmingham's Symphony Hall, where one of the concerts is being held, said Mlynarski provided the inspiration for one of Elgar's most famous pieces

In 1915, London played host to a Festival of British Music, which included Elgar conducting his Violin Concerto. Also at the festival was Emil Mlynarski, who was consumed by the plight of his war-torn native country.

He asked Thomas Beecham to join him in arranging a concert in aid of Polish Victims' Relief.

Mlynarski approached Elgar to see if he might contribute to the concert.

"Mlynarski ventured to suggest something on the lines of a fantasia on Polish melodies and he ended up writing out several for Elgar's consideration," said Mr Jenkins.

The result was the symphonic prelude Polonia, which Elgar conducted to great acclaim at the concert.

Ticket for the open rehearsal are priced £17 from the Malvern Theatres' box office on 01684 892277.