A MUSIC festival is preparing for its final weekend with a list of musicians ready to perform.

This weekend is Maldon Festival artistic director Colin Baldy’s last weekend in charge of the choir of St Mary’s Church as he will be moving to Italy after the festival.

The festival comes to an end on Saturday after three weekends of music celebrating the theme of the 'French connection', looking at the inspiration for English composer Ralph Vaughan Williams.

Mr Baldy said: “One of the things which has really pleased me is the way in which audiences really love hearing the wonderful new pipe organ in St Mary’s.

“I know I’m biased but it really is the best organ in Essex and one of the best in the east of England.

“The festival concludes this Saturday evening with a rare chance to hear Poulenc’s Organ Concerto.

“This is one of the most thrilling pieces ever composed for organ and orchestra - perhaps the most thrilling.

“St Mary’s organ sounds stunning in it."

James Davy returns as soloist and the orchestra is composed of talented young musicians from the Guildhall School of Music and Drama.

The programme also includes Vaughan Williams’ Five Mystical Songs and Fauré’s Cantique de Jean Racine.