CLARINETTIST Robert Plane and the Sacconi Quartet have not performed at Malvern Theatres since 2007, but don't hold that against them.

All that is about to change, and a New Year audience can expect works by Haydn, Brahms and Glazunov.

Robert Plane, a recording star for Naxos, already has a glittering career to look back on, and now he has another date with Worcestershire fans.

A spokesman said: "Robert won the Royal Over-Seas League Music Competition in 1992. Since then his solo and chamber career has taken him to prestigious venues across Europe and beyond; his performance of Mozart’s Clarinet concerto at Beijing’s National Centre for the Performing Arts was broadcast live to a TV audience of 6 million.

"He is a successful recording artist and is particularly highly regarded for his solo recordings for Naxos. His account of Finzi’s Clarinet Concerto won Classic CD Magazine’s ‘Best Concerto Recording’ Award and was selected as BBC Radio 3’s recommended version in ‘Building a Library’."

The spokesman added: "His recording of Messiaen’s Quatuor pour la Fin du Temps with the Gould Trio,performed by them at the Club in 2008, was praised by BBC Music Magazine as the ‘best modern account’ of this monumental work.

"The award-winning Sacconi Quartet is recognised for its unanimous and compelling ensemble, consistently communicating with a fresh and imaginative approach. Performing with style and commitment, the Quartet is known throughout the world for its creativity and integrity of interpretation."

The date for the diary is January 26, from 7.30pm.

Tickets on, 01684 2277.