Classical music buffs in Swindon can look forward to a season of top notch recitals from world class artists, and celebrity concerts featuring names such as The Villiers Quartet, currently the Oxford University's Quartet in Residence.

Kicking off this year's Swindon Recital Series is the founder and artistic director Paul Turner, who began the classical music series by calling on his old pals from the Royal College of Music to perform in his home town.

That was 22-years-ago and now the Swindon Recital Series has made such a name for itself that artists are knocking at Paul's door to perform, either at the lunchtime concerts in the Wyvern Theatre, or the evening recitals at the Swindon Arts Centre.

Concert pianist Paul, said: "We are proud to be able to offer the people of Swindon access to such high class artists and such wonderful music.''

Paul will be celebrating the magic of Mozart at the Arts Centre on Friday, October 9 at 7.30pm. Mozart began playing piano and violin when he was just five years old, and 30 years later he died leaving a back catalogue of more than 600 compositions.

Paul will be tackling Mozart's solo piano work, featuring the Sonata Facile in C major K475, which Mozart described as for beginners, and at the other end of the scale his Fantasia and Sonata in C minor K475 and K457, which is technically demanding, and was recognised as one of the most innovative pieces of music for the 18th Century.

Tickets to see Mozart's Keyboard are £12, Seniors £10 and students £2.50 while under 14s go free.

Coming up on November 4 will be a recital at the Wyvern Theatre from 1.05pm, featuring Brahms and Chopin, Cole Porter and Stephen Sondheim, with the option of tea and cakes before hand.

The monthly concerts continue until April 9 when the finale will be A Viennese Quartet party.

To book or for more details call 01793 52448 or 01793 644660. - Flicky Harrison