MUSIC by two of the world's greatest composers, Beethoven and Mozart, will feature in the English Symphony Orchestra's next silver jubilee concert.

In a series of concerts to mark its 25th anniversary year, the ESO is playing the complete cycle of Beethoven symphonies alongside other classical pieces.

"It's a musical marathon but what better way to mark our anniversary than with the greatest symphonies of all time?" said musical director William Boughton.

The third concert, at Malvern Theatres on Friday, November 25, features Beethoven's Symphony No 3. This is being performed in consultation with Beethoven scholar Robin Stowell, in the hope of recreating a style closer to that of the composer's time.

"We can't imitate. There are no recordings and there has to be an individual element to any performance to make it a living and exciting art form," said Mr Boughton. "But the idea was to perform the symphony in the way it would have been heard in Beethoven's time. It's a leaner, thinner sound than a typical modern orchestra."

Mr Boughton said audience reaction to the concerts so far had been "very positive and enthusiastic."

"It's a bit like a cleaning and restoring an old master. You see the wonderful original colours for the first time," said Mr Boughton, who described the beauty of Beethoven's music being in its humanity and emotion, struggle and triumph.

The concert also features Mozart's Piano Concertos No 6 and No 21, which are part of the ESO's Mozart Celebration.

Celebrated pianist Jeremy Menuhin, son of the late Yehudi Menuhin, will be the soloist and director. This and other performances of Mozart's piano concertos are being recorded and released on CD.

The concert opens with a piece of contemporary classical music by Oliver Knusson, a change to the advertised programme.

"There are some fantastic contemporary composers whose music is rarely heard. This is our way of introducing some of them to people," said Mr Boughton.

The concert, in The Forum, starts at 6.30pm. Tickets are £10, £15, £19, £24 and £28 on 01684 892277.