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The Puppini Sisters Xmas Special
Wed 10 Dec Town Hall
Marcella Puppini, Kate Mullins and Stephanie O'Brien led the retro wave in 2006 with their 1940s influenced blend of 'pop with swing' and gorgeous sense of glamour and fun. "To Puppini" quickly became a lifestyle and fashion statement as the name became synonymous with fashion, style and allure and audiences embraced the girls' highly entertaining and original musical performance and the ethos of dressing to impress. _Betcha Bottom Dollar_ was the fastest selling jazz debut in Britain on its release and the album debuted at number 2 in the US jazz charts. Their second album _The Rise And Fall Of Ruby Woo_ revealed a new maturity in the writing and their sound. The girls will include a few Christmas hits in their set in the unique Puppini style!
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Ukulele Orchestra of Great Britain Xmas Special
Thu 11 Dec Town Hall
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Century!
Thu 11 Dec Symphony Hall
Today the musical world salutes the centenary of the birth of the great American composer Elliott Carter, the only major composer ever to reach his 100th year and still be creating new work. His new horn concerto is a perfect example of his art, and is played here by the CBSO’s own Elspeth Dutch. Tonight’s concert is actually a triple celebration of December 1908: the great French composer Olivier Messiaen was born just a day before Carter, and Elgar’s magnificent First Symphony had been premiered just a week before that. 6.15pm Pre-concert talk - Premiere! - Elliott Carter’s Horn Concerto Anthony Burton introduces the music of this great American survivor.
Sakari Oramo - conductor Elspeth Dutch - horn
Messiaen: L’Ascension 19’ Carter: Horn Concerto (UK premiere) 11’ Elgar: Symphony No. 1 52’
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Jason Donovan plus support
Fri 12 Dec Symphony Hall
Jason Donovan has enjoyed a very successful and varied career in film, television and theatre plus a record-breaking international solo career in which he made over 13 million record sales. Most famous for his role as Scott Robinson in _Neighbours_, Jason won nearly every Australian award during his time on one of Australia’s most successful drama series and the hearts of millions. Jason’s vocal career began in 1988 when he released ‘Especially for You’ with Kylie Minogue and a debut solo album, _Ten Good Reasons_. Following the release of his second album in 1989, Jason became the biggest selling UK and European artist. In the same year he was voted Best Male Singer and Britain’s Best Album at the Smash Hits Awards. Jason has performed internationally to sell-out audiences of thousands. Jason triumphed in the West End when he starred as Joseph in _Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat_ at the Palladium. Jason played to critical acclaim and sell-out business. In 1998, Jason again drew sell-out crowds for his performance as Frank ‘N’ Furter in The Rocky Horror UK Tour, during the show’s 25th Anniversary.
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Great Romantics
Sat 13 Dec Symphony Hall
Last Christmas Sakari Oramo brought us all some seasonal cheer with highlights from The Nutcracker; this year it’s the turn of another of Tchaikovsky’s great ballets. It shares the first half with possibly the most popular of all piano concertos, played by the Russian pianist with whom the CBSO has made an acclaimed series of Rachmaninov recordings. Elgar said that his First Symphony expressed ‘a wide experience of human life with a great charity (love) and a massive hope in the future’ how better to celebrate the festive season?
Sakari Oramo - conductor Nikolai Lugansky - piano
Tchaikovsky: Sleeping Beauty (highlights) 10’ Rachmaninov: Piano Concerto No. 2 32’ Elgar: Symphony No. 1 52’
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A London Symphony
Wed 17 Dec Symphony Hall
For our final tribute to Vaughan Williams in this 50th anniversary year of his death, we are joined by one of his leading interpreters for a rare hearing of the original 1913 version of his ‘London’ Symphony. This extraordinary work was subsequently dedicated to his friend George Butterworth, who unlike Vaughan Wiliams never returned from the trenches of World War I • as a result we only have a few pieces, of which tonight’s is the best known, to remember him by. The dazzling 1920s concerto by Vaughan Williams’ teacher Ravel completes the programme. 6.15pm Pre-concert talk - “A Symphony by a Londoner” English music specialist Michael Foster explores the genesis of Vaughan Williams’ colourful symphony.
Richard Hickox - conductor Kirill Gerstein - piano
Butterworth: Banks of Green Willow 6’ Ravel: Piano Concerto in G major 21’ Vaughan Williams: A London Symphony (original version) 61’
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Centre Stage Elliott Carter’s 100th Birthday
Thu 18 Dec Book through our ticket office for CBSO Centre
Elliott Carter’s 100th Birthday Marie-Christine Zupancic (flute) and CBSO colleagues Carter: Enchanted Preludes Carter: Scrivo in Vento Mozart: Flute Quartet No. 4 in A, K.298 Villa-Lobos: The Jet Whistle Bax: Elegiac Trio
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White Christmas
Thu 18 Dec Symphony Hall
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Maddy Prior & The Carnival Band An Evening Of Carols & Capers
Thu 18 Dec Town Hall
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Rattle Conducts Schumann
Fri 19 Dec Symphony Hall
Earlier this year, Sir Simon Rattle picked music by Schumann as one of his eight choices on Desert Island Discs. Now he turns his attention to two of the composer’s most popular works: the fresh and vibrant _Spring Symphony_ and the _Rhenish Symphony_ - a joyous celebration of the Rhineland, the awe-inspiring gothic architecture of Cologne Cathedral and, of course, the river itself. *Classic FM’s Anne-Marie Minhall says of tonight’s recommended concert:* _Fresh from his role as one of the Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra’s Artists Laureate 2008 for the European Capital of Culture, Sir Simon Rattle returns to his former stomping ground here in Birmingham. This evening he’ll be conducting the OAE, an orchestra he’s been closely associated with for many years now. Rattle is one of just six conductors who’ve been key in the development of this self-governing orchestra established more than twenty years ago. It was he who took the OAE to Glyndebourne for the first time in 1989 with Mozart’s The Marriage of Figaro; the orchestra is now a regular visitor to the East Sussex festival._ "Classic FM":http://www.classicfm.co.uk Tickets £5-£45
*Orchestra of the Age of Enlightenment* *Sir Simon Rattle* conductor
*Berlioz* King Lear overture 15’ *Schumann* Symphony No 1, Spring 32’ *Schumann* Symphony No 3, Rhenish 33’
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A Christmas Carol
Sat 20 Dec Symphony Hall
It simply wouldn’t be Christmas without the CBSO’s celebrations, hosted this year by presenter Carol Smillie and featuring the CBSO and its massed choirs. Packed with festive music and your favourite carols, plus stories, readings and plenty of audience participation, these concerts are the perfect way to kick-start your Christmas holidays and put you in the festive spirit.
Simon Halsey - conductor Carol Smillie - presenter City of Birmingham Symphony Chorus & Youth Chorus City of Birmingham Young Voices
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King's College Choir at Christmas
Sat 20 Dec Town Hall
What could be more evocative of Christmas than the magical sound of the Choir of King’s College, Cambridge? This world-famous choir visits Town Hall with a concert of Christmas music ranging from majestic baroque masterworks by Praetorius and Schütz through to quintessential favourites from the Nine Lessons and Carols, including Darke’s _In the Bleak Midwinter_ and Joubert’s _There is no Rose_. *Classic FM’s Anne-Marie Minhall says of tonight’s recommended concert:* _It’s thanks to Henry VI that the Choir of King’s College Cambridge exist. The last king of the Lancastrian dynasty envisaged daily singing in his splendid chapel and to this day that remains the main purpose of the Choir. Tonight a musical festive fayre is promised including Vaughan Williams’ Fantasia on Christmas Carols, a work based on traditional carols. Other seasonal favourites on the menu include Harold Darke’s beautiful In The Bleak Midwinter and John Joubert’s There Is No Rose._ "Classic FM":http://www.classicfm.co.uk Tickets £5-30
*Choir of King’s College Cambridge* *Stephen Cleobury* director
Programme includes works by *Praetorius*, *Schütz*, *Poulenc*, *Rachmaninov*, *Vaughan Williams*, *Joubert* and *Howells*, with organ solos.
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Carols by Candlelight
Sat 20 Dec Symphony Hall
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A Christmas Carol
Sun 21 Dec Symphony Hall
It simply wouldn’t be Christmas without the CBSO’s celebrations, hosted this year by presenter Carol Smillie and featuring the CBSO and its massed choirs. Packed with festive music and your favourite carols, plus stories, readings and plenty of audience participation, these concerts are the perfect way to kick-start your Christmas holidays and put you in the festive spirit.
Simon Halsey - conductor Carol Smillie - presenter City of Birmingham Symphony Chorus & Youth Chorus City of Birmingham Young Voices
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A Christmas Carol
Sun 21 Dec Symphony Hall
It simply wouldn’t be Christmas without the CBSO’s celebrations, hosted this year by presenter Carol Smillie and featuring the CBSO and its massed choirs. Packed with festive music and your favourite carols, plus stories, readings and plenty of audience participation, these concerts are the perfect way to kick-start your Christmas holidays and put you in the festive spirit.
Simon Halsey - conductor Carol Smillie - presenter City of Birmingham Symphony Chorus & Youth Chorus City of Birmingham Young Voices
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Centre Stage A Palm Court Christmas Party!
Mon 22 Dec Book through our ticket office for CBSO Centre
A Palm Court Christmas Party! Berkley Salon Ensemble City of Birmingham Symphony Youth Chorus (Seniors)
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A Christmas Carol
Mon 22 Dec Symphony Hall
It simply wouldn’t be Christmas without the CBSO’s celebrations, hosted this year by presenter Carol Smillie and featuring the CBSO and its massed choirs. Packed with festive music and your favourite carols, plus stories, readings and plenty of audience participation, these concerts are the perfect way to kick-start your Christmas holidays and put you in the festive spirit.
Simon Halsey - conductor Carol Smillie - presenter City of Birmingham Symphony Chorus & Youth Chorus City of Birmingham Young Voices
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A Christmas Carol
Mon 22 Dec Symphony Hall
It simply wouldn’t be Christmas without the CBSO’s celebrations, hosted this year by presenter Carol Smillie and featuring the CBSO and its massed choirs. Packed with festive music and your favourite carols, plus stories, readings and plenty of audience participation, these concerts are the perfect way to kick-start your Christmas holidays and put you in the festive spirit.
Simon Halsey - conductor Carol Smillie - presenter City of Birmingham Symphony Chorus & Youth Chorus City of Birmingham Young Voices
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Christmas Carol Singalong
Tue 23 Dec Symphony Hall
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Christmas Gala
Tue 23 Dec Symphony Hall
