ALDERLEY Edge Orchestra is aiming for the stars with next month’s concert at the Festival Hall in the village.

The orchestra is to perform Gustav Holst’s suite, The Planets, on Saturday, March 3.

The Planets is Holst’s best-known work and was inspired by his interest in astrology.

The orchestra is happy to welcome back conductor Juan Ortuno, who said: “As an astronomer and sky lover I have been always fascinated by Holst’s suite ‘The Planets’.

“I discovered this music when I was a teenager, and for years I attended every performance that was scheduled in Madrid.

“Holst was introduced to astrology by his friend Clifford Bax during a trip to Spain, and he shows perfectly the character of each planet in the seven-movement suite.

“The ethereal ending, with the mystic choir fading away, reminds me of the Voyager spacecraft that left Earth in 1977, and is now exiting the solar system.

“This music should make us feel really small compared to the vastness of the universe.”

The orchestra will also be showcasing star quality with young clarinettist Oliver Janes, who will play Weber’s First Clarinet Concerto.

Roger Dowling, chairman of the orchestra, said: "We have followed the career of Oliver with great interest over the years.

“The grandson of John Fuest, the former principal clarinet of the Liverpool Phil and the City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra, Oliver first performed with us seven years ago when he was a student at Chetham’s School of Music.

“Last year, at 22, he became the youngest-ever principal clarinet of the CBSO, and we are delighted he has made the time in his busy schedule to return as soloist in Weber's First Clarinet Concerto.”

The programme is completed by the overture by Hamish MacCunn, Land of the Mountain and the Flood.

The concert takes place at 7.30pm, and tickets cost £10 for adults and £1 for under 18s.

They will be available on the door or can be bought in advance through aeorchestra.org.uk or on the ticket hotline by calling 01625 581321.

Visit the website to hear a preview of the music and for more information about the orchestra.