THE Wye Valley Chamber Music Festival, now in its 12th year, is back to light up the dark and dismal days of January.

Featuring a 20-strong team including founder and pianist Daniel Tong, violinists Laura Samuel and Matthew Truscott, cellists Amy Norrington and Guy Johnston and pianist Alasdair Beatson, the festival largely performs in small and intimate venues like St Briavels Church.

On the menu at this year's six concert festival will be Chausson, Bartok and Saint-Saen, as well as Beethoven, Schubert, Mozart and Janacek.

Pre-concert context will be provided by speakers Richard Wigmore and Stephen Walsh.

The first concert will be at St Briavels Church this Friday (January 7) at 7pm.

It is followed by Treowen Manor, Monmouth on Saturday (January 8) at 4pm and Bishop's Palace, Hereford next Wednesday (January 12) at 7pm.

There will be a further event at Treowen on January 15 from 11.30am to 6pm and two concluding concerts at Hellens Manor, Herefordshire at 1pm and 4pm on January 16.

Because, as the name suggests, chamber music is best performed in small, intimate, venues, places are limited. To find out more go to the festival website: http://www.wyevalleyfestival">www.wyevalleyfestival. com or telephone 07901 805814.