BOLTON Symphony Orchestra celebrates the Commonwealth Games at the Albert Hall on Saturday night with what promises to be a "titanic" performance.

The concert is part of the Spirit of Friendship Festival which intends to convey the international flavour of the Games.

And fittingly, the concert programme carries through the cross cultural feeling of the Festival.

In addition, it will also see a return visit for guest conductor, Nigel Taylor. He is no stranger to the musicians -- having originally founded the orchestra in 1988. Nigel now lives in Shropshire and is well known in Bolton for his work with musicians of all ages.

He is a former director of Bolton music Service and has conducted professionally around the country.

Music featured will be by Adams, Gershwin and Mahler. And another guest, this time soloist pianist Lydia Ormiston also returns to her roots for the evening.

Lydia attended Canon Slade School and Bolton Music Centre. She went on to study at the prestigious Royal Holloway College, University of London, where she took part in masterclasses with famous Russian concert pianist Sergei Dukachev. Lydia, aged 22, now lives in Surrey. She will be soloist in Gershwin's Piano Concerto. The Concerto in F fuses jazz, blues and orchestral styles.

However, the concert gets off to a "titanic" start with John Adams' Chairman Dances -- an excellent foxtrot for orchestra, depicting the meeting of two "Titans" Presidents Mao and Nixon.

The concert ends with the eclectic mixture of folk, classical and popular music, Mahler's First Symphony, known as The Titan.

To celebrate the Commonwealth Games' themes of youth, under 19s can gain free admission to the concert which begins at 7.30pm.

Tickets are £7 adults and £5 concessions. Telephone the Albert Halls Box Office on 01204 334400 for advance booking.