What's On — CBSO events

Celebrating Nielsen: The Inextinguishable
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Wed 7 Jan 2009 Symphony Hall

After last season’s acclaimed cycle of Sibelius symphonies, this season we feature the equally impressive cycle by his exact contemporary Carl Nielsen. His varied output holds the same central place in Danish music as Sibelius does in Finland, and his six symphonies are full of struggle, reflection and strong emotion - just like real life. Principal guest conductor Sakari Oramo begins this series with a charming picture-postcard overture and the composer’s best-known work. Written at the height of the First World War, this symphony is a volcanic musical struggle between the forces of destruction and the energy of life itself, culminating in one of the most uplifting - and thrilling - endings in all music. 6.15pm Pre-concert talk - Nielsen: The Inextinguishable An introduction to the CBSO and the Hallé’s joint Nielsen Cycle and tonight’s concert.
*Change of Conductor* Sakari Oramo, the CBSO’s Principal Guest Conductor, has unfortunately had to withdraw from this concert through ill health. This concert will now be conducted by Dmitri Slobodeniouk. Nikolai Lugansky - piano City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra
Nielsen: A Fantasy Trip to the Faroes 12’ Rachmaninov: Piano Concerto No. 2 32’ Nielsen: Symphony No. 4 (The Inextinguishable) 36’
Celebrating Nielsen: The Four Temperaments
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Sat 10 Jan 2009 Symphony Hall

For Nielsen, music was all about exploring what it means to be human. And this second concert in the CBSO and the Hallé’s joint Nielsen Symphony Cycle does exactly that. Nielsen’s extraordinary Second Symphony, “The Four Temperaments”, is a musical attempt to paint an entire personality in wonderfully colourful music; his deceptively tuneful Sixth is a musical self-portrait as haunting and unforgettable as anything by Mahler. To these masterpieces Oramo adds Nielsen’s picturesque tribute to the sun, and Prokofiev’s equally warm-hearted violin concerto played by an outstanding soloist. 5.45pm Pre-concert talk - Nielsen: The Four Temperaments Find out more about tonight’s symphonies and overture by this great Dane.
*Change of Conductor* Sakari Oramo, the CBSO’s Principal Guest Conductor, has unfortunately had to withdraw from this concert through ill health. This concert will now be conducted by Okko Kamu. Akiko Suwanai - violin City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra
Nielsen: Helios Overture 12’ Nielsen: Symphony No. 6 (Semplice) 31’ Prokofiev: Violin Concerto No. 1 22’ Nielsen: Symphony No. 2 (The Four Temperaments) 35’
Handel’s Jephtha
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Thu 15 Jan 2009 Town Hall

250 years since Handel’s death, we return to the hall where so many of his works have been heard, not least as the cornerstone of the Birmingham Triennial Festivals. Jephtha, his last oratorio, is one of his very finest works in English, and tells the story of the great military captain who finds himself in conflict with God’s law as a result of a rash promise. Featuring a host of glorious arias and dramatic choruses, and with a leading cast conducted by Handel specialist Nicholas McGegan, this is a must for Handel fans. There will be one interval after Act One. 6.15pm Pre-concert talk - Handel’s Jephtha Conductor Nicholas McGegan - in conversation with CBSO Events Officer Richard Bratby.
*City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra* *City of Birmingham Symphony Chorus* *Nicholas McGegan* conductor *Paul Nilon* Jephtha *Dominique Labelle* Iphis *Diana Moore* Storge *Daniel Taylor* Hamor *Andrew Foster-Williams* Zebul
*Handel* Jephtha 150’
Celebrating Nielsen: Pride & Power
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Sat 17 Jan 2009 Symphony Hall

We have invited the Hallé to give the second half of our Nielsen cycle with its music director Mark Elder. Nielsen might have written his First Symphony while he was working as a second violinist, but there’s nothing bashful about it - he even marked the score “Proudly”! It bursts with energy and freshness. His mighty Fifth Symphony is even more powerful - a gripping musical battle between order and chaos, triggered by one of the all-time great drum solos. It’s one of the greatest symphonies of the 20th century, so it’s only fitting that our guests are playing it alongside two dramatic masterpieces by Nielsen’s hero - Ludwig van Beethoven. 5.45pm Pre concert talk - Nielsen: Pride and Power An introduction to tonight’s pieces by these two musical power-houses.
Hallé Sir Mark Elder - conductor Anja Kampe - soprano
Beethoven: Overture, Egmont 8’ Nielsen: Symphony No. 1 27’ Beethoven: Ah, Perfido! Scene and Aria 15’ Nielsen: Symphony No. 5 35’
Friday Night Classics: The Gershwins in Hollywood
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Fri 23 Jan 2009 Symphony Hall

No-one wrote a hit-tune like George and Ira Gershwin. And when the brothers left Manhattan for the bright lights of Hollywood, the results were bound to be showstopping! Conductor John Wilson loves the great movie musicals of the 1930s; join him and star West End vocalists Kim Criswell and Gary Williams for an evening of pure jazz-age glamour. Featuring I Got Rhythm, ’Swonderful, The Man I Love, An American in Paris, Strike Up The Band, Let’s Call the Whole Thing Off, They All Laughed and many more, it’s just hit after hit after hit!
*John Wilson* conductor *Kim Criswell* vocalist *Gary Williams* vocalist *City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra*
CBSO John Williams Blockbusters
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Sat 24 Jan 2009 Symphony Hall

*Extra date added due to popular demand.* No-one writes a big film theme like John Williams - no wonder he’s the world’s most popular living classical composer. And if you think his music is thrilling on the big screen, just wait until you hear it live at Symphony Hall! Join the CBSO for blockbuster music from Star Wars, Schindler’s List, Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone, Superman, E.T., Raiders of the Lost Ark, JFK, Munich, Saving Private Ryan, Jaws and many more! £9.50, £16, £22.50, £28, £32, £36, £39.50
*Michael Seal - Conductor* *Tommy Pearson - Presenter*
Wagner: Passion Beyond Reason
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Wed 28 Jan 2009 Symphony Hall

Andris Nelsons has already won great acclaim for his interpretations of Wagner’s operas in Riga, and next year he makes his debut at the Bayreuth Festival. For his first CBSO Wagner outing, he has chosen contrasting extended sequences from three of the composer’s greatest operas, culminating in the apocalyptic climax of the entire Ring cycle. Acclaimed Swedish soprano Iréne Theorin takes the roles of Isolde and Brünnhilde - two of the very greatest operatic heroines, both driven by a love more powerful than life itself.
Andris Nelsons - conductor Iréne Theorin - soprano City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra
Wagner: Tannhäuser - Overture and Venusberg Music 24’ Wagner: Tristan und Isolde - Prelude and Liebestod 17’ Wagner: Götterdämmerung - Siegfried’s Rhine Journey, Siegfried’s Funeral March & Brünnhilde’s Immolation
Wagner: Passion Beyond Reason
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Thu 29 Jan 2009 Symphony Hall

Andris Nelsons has already won great acclaim for his interpretations of Wagner’s operas in Riga, and next year he makes his debut at the Bayreuth Festival. For his first CBSO Wagner outing, he has chosen contrasting extended sequences from three of the composer’s greatest operas, culminating in the apocalyptic climax of the entire Ring cycle. Acclaimed Swedish soprano Iréne Theorin takes the roles of Isolde and Brünnhilde - two of the very greatest operatic heroines, both driven by a love more powerful than life itself.
Andris Nelsons - conductor Iréne Theorin - soprano City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra
Wagner: Tannhäuser - Overture and Venusberg Music 24’ Wagner: Tristan und Isolde - Prelude and Liebestod 17’ Wagner: Götterdämmerung - Siegfried’s Rhine Journey, Siegfried’s Funeral March & Brünnhilde’s Immolation
Family Concert: All Aboard!
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Sun 1 Feb 2009 Symphony Hall

Hop on board as we launch into gear and jet off around the world for an incredible musical journey on planes,trains, automobiles and much more besides. This funpacked afternoon will have you going round the bend and looping the loop, as we thrill and swerve with fast rides and whacky races, and sail on the ocean blue. Be transported by music including Adams’ Short Ride in a Fast Machine, Villa-Lobos’ Little Train of the Caipira, Honegger’s Pacific 231 and more. Don’t miss the boat- buy your return ticket now, and join the CBSO as we go full steam ahead! FREE CREATIVE WORKSHOPS AND MUSIC in the foyers from 1.30pm. Why not come in fancy dress?
Andris Nelsons -conductor Michael Collie - presenter City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra
Celebrating Nielsen: Sinfonia Espansiva
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Tue 3 Feb 2009 Symphony Hall

Nielsen’s music is so fresh and clear that it’s not hard to hear it as musical landscape painting - inspired by the countryside and folklore of his native Denmark. He dubbed his Third Symphony “Expansive”, and it’s easy to hear why; this is simply some of the most radiant music of modern times with an ecstatic slow movement featuring wordless parts for singers. In this final instalment of the CBSO and the Hallé’s joint Nielsen Symphony Cycle, conductor Mark Elder and the Hallé return to pair the Symphony with two more great Scandinavian landscapes - the fire and ice of Sibelius’ Violin Concerto and Grieg’s much loved Peer Gynt suite; just four of the most irresistible tunes ever written!
Sir Mark Elder - conductor Nadine Livingston - soprano Matthew Brook - baritone Alina Pogostkina - violin
Grieg: Peer Gynt - Suite No. 1 13’ Sibelius: Violin Concerto 31’ Nielsen: Symphony No. 3 (Espansiva) 38’
Dvorák’s New World
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Thu 5 Feb Symphony Hall

Was there ever a more evocative, nostalgic work than the New World Symphony? Right from the opening bars it is clear that the composer’s thoughts were more of his beloved Bohemia than of the exciting city of New York in which he found himself. Rachmaninov also had his moments of homesickness after he moved to the USA, but the bubbly brilliance of his ever-popular Paganini Rhapsody makes it one of his most extrovert works. Sometimes musicians simply choose to ignore their surroundings: Prokofiev’s equally brilliant first symphony was composed, amazingly, against the stormy background of the Russian Revolution!
Michal Dworzynski - conductor Alexander Kobrin - piano City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra
Prokofiev: Symphony No. 1 (Classical) 15’ Rachmaninov: Rhapsody on a theme of Paganini 25’ Dvorák: Symphony No. 9 (From the New World) 40’
Friday Night Classics: A Night at the Oscars
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Fri 6 Feb 2009 Symphony Hall

Put the champagne on ice and roll out the red carpet as silver-screen showman Carl Davis hosts this evening of Oscar-winning movie soundtracks. With themes that include The Lord of the Rings, Dr Zhivago, Lawrence of Arabia, Dances with Wolves, Titanic, Robin Hood, The Godfather and much more, join us for a night that celebrates the soundtrack to all our lives.

Carl Davis- conductor City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra
Notelets Action Stations! 2pm
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Sat 7 Feb 2009 Book through our ticket office for CBSO Centre

Action Stations! - a mini concert for 3-5 year olds and their families. Come and get active with action songs and music to make you move, for all those fidgety feet!
Dvorák’s New World
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Sat 7 Feb Symphony Hall

Was there ever a more evocative, nostalgic work than the New World Symphony? Right from the opening bars it is clear that the composer’s thoughts were more of his beloved Bohemia than of the exciting city of New York in which he found himself. Rachmaninov also had his moments of homesickness after he moved to the USA, but the bubbly brilliance of his ever-popular Paganini Rhapsody makes it one of his most extrovert works. Sometimes musicians simply choose to ignore their surroundings: Prokofiev’s equally brilliant first symphony was composed, amazingly, against the stormy background of the Russian Revolution!
Michal Dworzynski - conductor Alexander Kobrin - piano City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra
Prokofiev: Symphony No. 1 (Classical) 15’ Rachmaninov: Rhapsody on a theme of Paganini 25’ Dvorák: Symphony No. 9 (From the New World) 40’
Bruch's Violin Concerto
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Wed 11 Feb Symphony Hall

The latest in a long line of outstanding young conductors to emerge from Finland, Pietari Inkinen makes his Birmingham debut with the youthful First Symphony by his compatriot Sibelius. The passionate sweep of this music ends a programme full of romantic ardour for the week of Valentine’s Day: Bruch’s timeless concerto is played by the CBSO’s leader, and a selection of Mendelssohn’s music for Shakespeare’s beloved romantic comedy provides a perfect companion.
Pietari Inkinen - conductor Laurence Jackson - violin City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra
Mendelssohn: A Midsummer Night’s Dream - Overture, Scherzo and Wedding March 20’ Bruch: Violin Concerto No. 1 26’ Sibelius: Symphony No. 1 38’
Schools Concert: New World Symphony 11.30am and 1.30pm
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Fri 13 Feb Symphony Hall

Set sail for America with the CBSO, to hear the New World as the Czech Antonín Dvorák experienced it in 1893 - full of promise and new sounds. The slow movement of this most popular of symphonies is renowned for featuring on the Hovis advertisement, and today’s performances - devised especially for Key Stage 2 children (years 5 & 6) - make this a perfect introduction to the sights and sounds of symphony orchestra. “I might be able to play as good as you, if I keep practising.” Child at The Planets Schools Concert, February 2008 Special prices apply: £4 per ticket for children and teachers, and home-schooling* children and parents. To book please call Group Bookings on 0800 358 7070. For information on pre-concert support packages and other opportunities available for schools with the CBSO, please contact the CBSO’s Education Department by email (education@cbso.co.uk) or telephone (0121 616 6530). *proof of eligibility, eg registration with your Local Authority, will be required.
Michael Seal - conductor Tommy Pearson - presenter City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra
Transfigured Night
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Thu 19 Feb Symphony Hall

The idea of transfiguration loomed large for late romantic artists, and these two masterpieces by Strauss and Schoenberg - although the product of composers who were just 25 years old - seem to sum up a whole lifetime’s experience in music that is among the most luscious ever composed. Schoenberg’s masterpiece for strings tells of a transfigured night in which a couple fall in love all over again. Messiaen’s more explicitly religious world-view provides the perfect complement: in his powerful piece for wind, brass and percussion he expresses his own deeply-held beliefs on the resurrection of the dead. And the concert climaxes with a chance to hear the CBSO and Andris Nelsons - already so admired in Strauss’s music - play the magnificent tone poem Death and Transfiguration.
City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra Andris Nelsons - Conductor
Schoenberg: Verklärte Nacht 32’ Messiaen: Et exspecto resurrectionem mortuorum 26’ Strauss: Tod und Verklärung 24’
CBSO Youth Orchestra
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Sun 22 Feb 2009 Symphony Hall

Andris Nelsons demonstrates his commitment to Birmingham’s young musicians in this, his debut appearance with the CBSO’s acclaimed Youth Orchestra. And it’s all about colour. Whether in the gorgeous oriental fantasies of Ravel’s impressionist song-cycle Shéhérazade, the brilliant sunrise that opens his Daphnis and Chloé suite or the glittering Russian jewel-box of Mussorgsky’s Pictures at an Exhibition, this is a programme to dazzle the ears. Expect our superb young players to give it their all, as Andris Nelsons celebrates the start of what we hope will be a very special relationship.
Andris Nelsons - conductor Christine Rice - mezzo-soprano
Ravel: Daphnis et Chloé - Suite No. 2 16’ Ravel: Shéhérazade 19’ Mussorgsky (orch. Ravel): Pictures at an Exhibition 30’
Made in America
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Tue 24 Feb Symphony Hall

Many composers have left Europe to find a new home in the USA, and both in Bartók’s wartime Concerto for Orchestra - composed for the virtuosi of the Boston Symphony Orchestra - and Dvorˇák’s most popular concerto, composed in New York, you can hear elements of each composer’s old world as well as the new. John Adams’ riotous orchestral showpiece seems more authentically American, though it was a by-product of his celebrated opera Nixon in China, and imagines Madam Mao reliving her music-hall past.
Andris Nelsons - conductor Alban Gerhardt - cello City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra
Adams: The Chairman Dances (24 Feb) 12’ Dvorák: Cello Concerto in B minor 40’ Bartók: Concerto for Orchestra 35’
Made in America
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Wed 25 Feb 2009 Symphony Hall

Many composers have left Europe to find a new home in the USA, and both in Bartók’s wartime Concerto for Orchestra • composed for the virtuosi of the Boston Symphony Orchestra • and Dvorˇák’s most popular concerto, composed in New York, you can hear elements of each composer’s old world as well as the new. John Adams’ riotous orchestral showpiece seems more authentically American, though it was a by-product of his celebrated opera Nixon in China, and imagines Madam Mao reliving her music-hall past.
Andris Nelsons - conductor Alban Gerhardt - cello City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra
Brahms: Three Hungarian Dances 12’ Dvorák: Cello Concerto in B minor 40’ Bartók: Concerto for Orchestra 35’