THE Elgar Birthplace Museum at Lower Broadheath is holding a special concert on Monday, June 2, to celebrate the composer's birthday

The Belmont Quartet will be performing a programme of English string quartet music, including Elgar's masterly quartet of 1918 String Quartet in E minor, his only complete work in this genre and one loved by many.

It will also be playing quartets by Tippett and Bridge, and Britten's arrangement of Purcell's Chacony in G minor in a concert which starts at 7.30pm.

The Belmont Quartet, all members of the City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra, are one of more than 25 smaller groups drawn from the orchestra.

These range from string trios to jazz bands, and perform throughout the season in the Centre Stage chamber music series at CBSO Centre, and in Encore!, a free post-concert music series in Symphony Hall bar.

They are also at the heart of an extensive education programme, giving over 75 performances a year at schools and community venues across the Midlands area.

"We are thrilled to be playing host to such a distinguished group of musicians" said museum director Catherine Sloan.

"The CBSO is now internationally recognised as one of the great orchestras, and there are many demands on their musicians' time. We are very grateful they have managed to fit this recital into their busy schedule and the evening should be memorable."

Admission is by programmes, price £7.50, now on sale from the Elgar Birthplace Museum, Lower Broadheath, Worcester, WR2 6RH, or by ringing 01905 333224.

The Elgar Birthplace Museum is three miles west of Worcester, signposted off the A44 Worcester /Leominster road, and is open every day from 11am to 5pm (last admission 4.15pm).