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CBSO Tuned In: The Firebird
More Info Book TicketsThu 25 Mar 7:30pm Symphony Hall
The CBSO presents a performance of _The Firebird_ with a difference, as broadcaster Stephen Johnson gives a guided tour of Stravinsky’s famous score. Discover how the composer creates his astonishing sounds, hear how the music works, and learn the story of how Stravinsky only got the gig because his teacher Liadov was too lazy! - all illustrated with live music from Andris Nelsons and the full CBSO. Then, after the interval, enjoy a complete performance of _The Firebird_. A real eye (and ear) opener - perfect for aficionado and novice alike.
*City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra* *Andris Nelsons* _conductor_ *Stephen Johnson* _presenter_
*Liadov* Baba Yaga 3’ Introduction to _The Firebird_ - with live orchestral examples 45’ _interval_ *Stravinsky* _The Firebird_ (1910 version) 44’
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CBSO Alfie Boe with the CBSO
More Info Book TicketsTue 30 Mar 7:30pm Symphony Hall
Whether as the composer of theme tunes from _Blackadder_ to _The Vicar of Dibley_, or as a wonderfully accessible TV champion of classical music in all its forms, Howard Goodall is one of Britain’s best-loved composers. And his new tuneful and deeply moving Requiem, _Eternal Light_, has already become a bestseller. This performance, with star soloists Alfie Boe and Natasha Marsh, will show you why. Alfie Boe also sings Finzi’s radiant masterpiece. 6.15pm. Free pre-concert talk: *Howard Goodall* The popular conductor, composer and broadcaster introduces his new Requiem.
*City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra* *Simon Halsey* _conductor_ *Natasha Marsh* _soprano_ *Alfie Boe* _tenor_ *William Berger* _baritone_ *CBSO Youth Chorus*
*Holst* Choral Hymns from the _Rig Veda_ 12’ *Finzi* _Dies Natalis_ 25’ *Howard Goodall* _Eternal Light_ (Requiem) 45’
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CBSO Alfie Boe with the CBSO
More Info Book TicketsThu 1 Apr 2:15pm Symphony Hall
Whether as the composer of theme tunes from _Blackadder_ to _The Vicar of Dibley_, or as a wonderfully accessible TV champion of classical music in all its forms, Howard Goodall is one of Britain’s best-loved composers. And his new tuneful and deeply moving Requiem, _Eternal Light_, has already become a bestseller. This performance, with star soloists Alfie Boe and Natasha Marsh, will show you why. Alfie Boe also sings Finzi’s radiant masterpiece. 1.15pm. Free pre-concert talk: *A Century of British Choral Music* Chorus Director Simon Halsey introduces today's choral matinee.
*City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra* *Simon Halsey* _conductor_ *Natasha Marsh* _soprano_ *Alfie Boe* _tenor_ *William Berger* _baritone_ *CBSO Youth Chorus*
*Holst* Choral Hymns from the _Rig Veda_ 12’ *Finzi* _Dies Natalis_ 25’ *Howard Goodall* _Eternal Light_ (Requiem) 45’
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CBSO Pictures at an Exhibition
More Info Book TicketsWed 14 Apr 7:30pm Symphony Hall
When Maurice Ravel arranged Mussorgsky’s _Pictures at an Exhibition_ for orchestra, he created one of the few adaptations that’s better than the original! From its famous opening _Promenade_ to the roof-raising final _Great Gate of Kiev_, it’s one of the all-time great orchestral showpieces, a glittering Russian jewel-box full of spicy tunes and unforgettable images. It’s a real CBSO favourite - and Dvorák's riotous _Carnival Overture_ is every bit as colourful. The great open spaces of Beethoven’s noble violin concerto will be like an oasis of calm - especially in the masterly hands of the young German virtuoso Isabelle Faust.
*City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra* *Andrew Grams* _conductor_ *Isabelle Faust* _violin_
*Dvořák* _Carnival_ Overture 8’ *Beethoven* Violin Concerto 42’ *Mussorgsky (orch. Ravel)* _Pictures at an Exhibition_ 32’
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CBSO Pictures at an Exhibition
More Info Book TicketsSat 17 Apr 7:00pm Symphony Hall
When Maurice Ravel arranged Mussorgsky’s _Pictures at an Exhibition_ for orchestra, he created one of the few adaptations that’s better than the original! From its famous opening _Promenade_ to the roof-raising final _Great Gate of Kiev_, it’s one of the all-time great orchestral showpieces, a glittering Russian jewel-box full of spicy tunes and unforgettable images. It’s a real CBSO favourite - and Dvorák’s riotous _Carnival Overture_ is every bit as colourful. The great open spaces of Beethoven’s noble violin concerto will be like an oasis of calm - especially in the masterly hands of the young German virtuoso Isabelle Faust.
*City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra* *Andrew Grams* _conductor_ *Isabelle Faust* _violin_
*Dvořák* _Carnival_ Overture 8’ *Beethoven* Violin Concerto 42’ *Mussorgsky (orch. Ravel)* _Pictures at an Exhibition_ 32’
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CBSO Friday Night Classics: Silent Heroes
More Info Book TicketsFri 23 Apr 7:30pm Symphony Hall
Carl Davis’s silent movie night is always a sold-out highlight of the CBSO season, as Symphony Hall transforms into a giant cinema and the CBSO performs a live soundtrack that beautifully mirrors every action on screen. This year Davis features classics by two of the great comic geniuses, Harold Lloyd and Charlie Chaplin. Both stars cut an unusual figure when arriving in the wild west: Lloyd’s comfortable East Coast gentleman seems completely unprepared for the rough and tumble that greets him, while Chaplin’s lovable tramp makes do as best he can in the poverty and excitement of the Gold Rush (in one memorable scene, cooking and eating his own boots!). This will be a joyous evening for film fans of all ages.
*City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra* *Carl Davis* _conductor_
*Harold Lloyd* _An Eastern Westerner_ 27’ *Charlie Chaplin* _The Gold Rush_ 90’
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CBSO Nelsons Conducts Shostakovich
More Info Book TicketsTue 27 Apr 7:30pm Symphony Hall
Muddle or music? If you had just written the loudest, most ambitious, most terrifying symphony since Mahler, and found your music criticised in the national press on behalf of a leader who enjoyed killing anyone who got in his way, what would you do? Well, Shostakovich decided to withdraw his epic Fourth Symphony in 1936 before its first performance, only for it to resurface decades later and be recognised as one of his greatest masterpieces. An outstanding German violinist joins the Orchestra for a more optimistic 1930s classic.
*City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra* *Andris Nelsons* _conductor_ *Frank Peter Zimmermann* _violin_
*Bartók* Violin Concerto No 2 36’ *Shostakovich* Symphony No 4 60’
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CBSO Tuned In: Shostakovich Symphony No 4
More Info Book TicketsThu 29 Apr 7:30pm Symphony Hall
Shostakovich’s massive Fourth Symphony is a devastating portrait of the most turbulent years in 20th-century history. In this concert with a difference, broadcaster Stephen Johnson explains the many stories behind this extraordinary work, and shows how Shostakovich uses his huge orchestra to such unforgettable effect - with live illustrations from Andris Nelsons and the 110-piece CBSO! Then there’s a chance to hear the whole symphony. Whether you know and love the Fourth - or you’re new to Shostakovich - this concert will help you hear it with new ears.
*City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra* *Andris Nelsons* _conductor_ *Stephen Johnson* _presenter_
Introduction to Shostakovich’s Fourth Symphony, with live orchestral examples 45’ _interval_ *Shostakovich* Symphony No 4 60’
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CBSO Bruckner's Romantic
More Info Book TicketsWed 16 Jun 7:30pm Symphony Hall
Inspired by the same idea of courtly romance as Wagner’s _Lohengrin_, Bruckner’s glorious Fourth is one of the finest of all Austrian symphonies, its evocative horncalls and soaring melodies perfectly suited to Symphony Hall’s cathedral-like acoustics. Henri Dutilleux also summons up ‘a whole distant world’ in his much-played cello concerto, composed for the great Rostropovich and played tonight by one of his greatest successors. It’s a gloriously vivid programme for the CBSO debut of Solihull-born conductor Jonathan Nott, who has established an enviable international reputation both in new music and in the Austro-German classics. Visit the "CBSO website":http://www.cbso.co.uk
*City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra* *Jonathon Nott* _conductor_ *Truls Mørk* _cello_ Jean-Guihen Queyras replaces Truls Mork who has had to withdraw from this concert due to illness
*Dutilleux* _Tout un monde lointain..._ 24' *Bruckner* Symphony No 4 (Romantic) 64'
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Centre Stage - El Ultimo Tango
More Info Book TicketsSat 26 Jun 7:30pm Book through our ticket office for CBSO Centre
"Bell arte del Tango"
*El Ultimo Tango*
"Bell arte del Tango"
