A UNIQUE festival celebrating the work of composer Josef Haydn is being staged at the Castle Hotel, Taunton, this week.

The prestigious venue is playing host to ten of the world’s great string quartets who are performing all 68 Haydn string quartets, including four performances of The Seven Last Words op. 51.

The concept of ‘Haydn at the Castle’ was devised to mark the bicentenary of the composer’s death. Castle Hotel proprietor Kit Chapman said: “No other performing arts centre, never mind a hotel, is undertaking a festival on this scale.”

Weekend music festivals at the Castle have been running annually since 1977 and from 2003 they have been arranged by Martin Randall, artistic director of “Music at the Castle”.

Mr Chapman added: “It’s been utterly brilliant. This Haydn Festival, in collaboration with Martin Randall Music Management, is the Castle’s most ambitious initiative to date.”

Each of the 42 concerts in the Castle’s music room is preceded by a brief talk from distinguished musicologist and Haydn authority Richard Wigmore.

Performances of Haydn’s Seven Last Words are taking place at St Mary Magdalene Church, Taunton.

Concerts are open to the public with tickets ranging from £10-£18. For details call Becki Beanland or reception at the Castle on 01823-272671. Programmes are also available at the reception.

The string quartets are: The Auryn; The Chilingirian; The Dante; The Doric String; The Endellion String; The Fitzwilliam; The London Haydn; The Sacconi; The Tokyo String and the Wihan Quartet.