The Park Lane Group's prestigious Young Artists New Year Series returns for its annual display of highly gifted young artists in programmes of contemporary music plus some earlier classics.

A triple opportunity is thereby created for imaginative programming, a powerful demonstration of the musicians' talents, and vibrant performances of a wide range of music.

The success of this format over many years has created in the PLG Series a prominent platform for young artists, very many of whom ore now among the best-known and respected performers.

A tiny random choice from those who mode initial appearances in the PLG

Young Artists Series include Thomas Ades, Sir Thomas Allen, David Atherton,

Andrew Ball, Emily Beynon, David Campbell, Imogen Cooper, Coull String

Quartet, John Harle, Steven Isserlis, Dame Gwyneth Jones, Julian Lloyd

Webber, Jane Manning, John McCabe, Medici String Quartet, the Nash

Ensemble, John Ogdon, Antony Pay, Anthony Rolfe Johnson, Sarah Walker;

John Wallace and Moray Welsh.

Over 200 artists in their twenties auditioned last Spring in the Purcell

Room. 33 have been chosen for the 2000 Series, including two aged 16 and 17.

The Series Programme Committee, chaired by Martin Cotton, has selected 55 works by 43 composers. There are eleven premieres; the Featured Composer is Philip Cashian.

The week's concerts will be recorded and a composite programme will be broadcast.