Described as "one of the great virtuoso violinists to be produced by the famous Tchaikovsky Conservatoire in Moscow," Marat Bisengaliev opens the second half of Kendal Midday Concert Club's season next Wednesday (1pm).

Born in Kazakhstan, in 1962, he studied with two legendary violin tutors, Borin Belinky and Valery Klimov, and is renowned for a style of playing that was a hallmark of early 20th century violin virtuosity.

He was a prizewinner in 1988 at the Leipzig International Bach Competition in Spain, also receiving the special virtuoso prize for the most outstanding performance of the event.

Marat's concerto and recital repertoire is vast, and a number of composers have written works especially for the amazing string player.

He made his radio debut on BBC Radio 3 and Classic FM in 1994 and was the subject of several Soviet Television documentaries.

His first concerto performance was in the UK with the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra. His Stateside debut came at the famous Carnegie Hall in 1995.

For me he's the Jimi Hendrix of the violin, a thrilling, passionate player, whose expression plus technical expertise propels him into a celestial orbit all of his own.

Marat teams up on January 8, in Kendal Town Hall, with pianist Benjamin Frith, another fine musician well known to Lakeland audiences.

Benjamin, who hails from Yorkshire, took part in last season's midday series with the Gould Trio. And, in addition to concert appearances, he's also in demand as a recording artist.

Featuring works by Vitali, Bach, Elgar and more, Marat and Benjamin's recital is a great way to kick off 2003.

On January 22, the brilliant young Eimer Piano Trio performs Haydn's Piano Trio in E flat and Dvorak's Piano Trio in G minor. They first played together in 1997 and made their Wigmore Hall debut as a result of winning a Young Artists Platform competition.

The highly-acclaimed Ovid Ensemble performs on February 5 and Barcelona-born pianist Alba Ventura is on the Kendal stage on February 19.

Piano quartets by Mozart and Chausson are in the Goldberg Ensemble programme for March 5 and the Northern Sinfonia Chamber Ensemble with Stephen Reay (bassoon) and Marios Argiros (oboe) wrap up another season of Wednesday lunchtime performances on March 19.

Tickets £4.50 / school children aged seven and over £1.

Snack lunches available from 11.50am.

January 2, 2003 14:30