MUSIC royalty returns to the Lakeland Sinfonia concert series on Saturday.

Under the direction of its charismatic violinist and conductor, Julian Rachlin, the Royal Northern Sinfonia's programme contrasts the neo-classicism of the first half of the 20th century with the classicism of the late 18th century as Julian - who is also soloist - and his eminent instrumentalists perform two pieces by Prokofiev and two by Mozart.

One of the nation's most distinguished ensembles, its November 9 concert at Kendal Leisure Centre's Westmorland Hall (7.30pm) opens with Prokofiev’s tuneful second violin concerto, first performed in 1935 in Spain and known for the beautiful violin tune opening of the second movement. This will be followed by Prokofiev’s first or Classical symphony - a deliberate attempt to write a 20th century symphony in the style of Haydn, and one of Prokofiev’s most popular works.

Following the interval, the second half of the programme is made up of two works by Mozart, but not the two originally advertised for the Westmorland Hall concert. The Divertimento K136 is a charming early work, written when Mozart was just 16, and still touring Europe with his father as a keyboard prodigy. Finally, the Symphony no 36, known as the Linz because it was written there - astonishingly in just four days - is one of the great works of Mozart’s maturity.

For the first of its two concerts in the series the Lakeland Sinfonia welcomes back a local favourite: internationally renowned pianist Martin Roscoe. On November 30, Ulverston-based Martin plays the much-loved Grieg concerto and, in the second half, Philip Ellis conducts Tchaikovsky’s first symphony.

The 2019 half of the series concludes on Saturday, December 14, with the Dunedin Consort performing Handel's monumental masterpiece Messiah, with outstanding Barrow contralto, Jess Dandy, centre stage.

The second half of the series opens on January 18 with a concert featuring the Halle and star saxophonist Jess Gillam, which has apparently already sold out.

The LSCS's 2019/2020 programme of eight concerts comes to a spectacular end on Saturday, April 25, with the return of another highly regarded UK ensemble, the excellent Royal Liverpool Philharmonic, under its chief conductor, Vasily Petrenko.

Tickets and full series details are available online at www.lakelandsinfonia.org.uk or on 0333-666-3366.