What's On — Elgar events

CBSO Friday Night Classic...
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Fri 5 Nov 7:30pm Symphony Hall

As the nation commemorates the 70th anniversary of the Battle of Britain, the CBSO pays its own tribute to war-time heroes - and to some of the greatest war films of the decades since. Expect a rousing celebration with triumphant music by Elgar and Walton, as well as moments of reflection in favourite film themes from _Dangerous Moonlight_ and _Saving Private Ryan_. And since no war film is complete without a good romance, there’ll be love in the air with _A Nightingale Sang in Berkeley Square_, and of course _As Time Goes By_ from _Casablanca_. It’s the perfect night to indulge in a little nostalgia, as well as some great music.
*Stephen Bell* _conductor_ *Juliette Pochin* _soprano_ *Ben Dawson* _piano_
Including: *Walton* _Spitfire Prelude and Fugue_, _A Nightingale Sang in Berkeley Square_, _As Time Goes By_, _633 Squadron_, *Addinsell* _Warsaw Concerto_, *Handel* _Music for the Royal Fireworks_, *Elgar* _Nimrod from the Enigma Variations_, _We’ll Meet Again_, _There’ll Always be an England_, *Williams* _Hymn to the Fallen_, *Walton & Goodwin* _Music for The Battle of Britain_, *Elgar* _Pomp and Circumstance_ March No. 1
CBSO 90th Birthday Concer...
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Wed 10 Nov 7:30pm Symphony Hall

On 10 November 1920 in Birmingham Town Hall, Sir Edward Elgar mounted the podium to conduct the first official concert by the brand-new City of Birmingham Orchestra - the future CBSO. And exactly 100 years ago in London, he conducted the world premiere of his Violin Concerto: arguably his most personal work, certainly his most passionate. Tonight Andris Nelsons, violinist James Ehnes and the CBSO celebrate this double anniversary in lavish style, and mark another milestone on the CBSO’s 10-year 2020 project with a second masterpiece from 1910: the sumptuous suite from Richard Strauss’s most gorgeous opera (and that’s saying something). Haydn's joyous 90th Symphony completes this 90th birthday celebration. 6.15pm Pre-concert talk. Christopher Morley, of _The Birmingham Post_, and veteran CBSO players and supporters share their memories of the last half-century of the CBSO.
*Andris Nelsons* _conductor_ *James Ehnes* _violin_
*Strauss* _Der Rosenkavalier_ - Suite 21’ *Haydn* Symphony No. 90 25’ *Elgar* Violin Concerto 45’
CBSO 90th Birthday Concer...
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Thu 11 Nov 2:15pm Symphony Hall

On 10 November 1920 in Birmingham Town Hall, Sir Edward Elgar mounted the podium to conduct the first official concert by the brand-new City of Birmingham Orchestra - the future CBSO. And exactly 100 years ago in London, he conducted the world premiere of his Violin Concerto: arguably his most personal work, certainly his most passionate. Andris Nelsons, violinist James Ehnes and the CBSO celebrate this double anniversary in lavish style, and mark another milestone on the CBSO’s 10-year 2020 project with a second masterpiece from 1910: the sumptuous suite from Richard Strauss’s most gorgeous opera (and that’s saying something). Haydn's joyous 90th Symphony completes this 90th birthday celebration. 1.15pm Pre-concert talk. Christopher Morley, of _The Birmingham Post_, and veteran CBSO players and supporters share their memories of the last half-century of the CBSO.
*Andris Nelsons* _conductor_ *James Ehnes* _violin_
*Strauss* _Der Rosenkavalier_ - Suite 21’ *Haydn* Symphony No. 90 25’ *Elgar* Violin Concerto 45’
CBSO Elgar's Cello Concer...
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Wed 1 Dec 2:15pm Symphony Hall

Tune after tune after tune. There’s a good reason why Elgar’s Cello Concerto routinely tops polls to find Britain’s favourite piece of classical music; its haunting melodies and suppressed passion make it perhaps the single most "English" piece of music ever written. Grieg’s first _Peer Gynt_ suite, meanwhile, is simply a deliciously colourful parade of tunes you’ll already love - from the radiant _Morning_ to the notorious _Hall of the Mountain King_. For conductor Andrew Manze, they’re both secret passions - as is the romantic, gloriously life-affirming Second Symphony by the “Swedish Sibelius” Wilhelm Stenhammar. Begun in 1911, this is its first CBSO performance, though when you hear it, you’ll wonder what took us so long!
*Andrew Manze* _conductor_ *Torleif Thedéen* _cello_
*Grieg* _Peer Gynt_ Suite No. 1 13’ *Elgar* Cello Concerto 26’ *Stenhammar* Symphony No. 2 40’
Julian Lloyd Webber plays... Orchestra of the Swan
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Wed 8 Jun 2011 2:30pm Town Hall

Orchestra of the Swan finish their season in suitable style with Elgar’s masterpiece, his cello concerto performed by Julian Lloyd Webber, their Artist in Association. Vaughan Williams’ Wasps overture sets the scene and they conclude with Brahms’ sunniest symphony, his symphony no 2 in D major.
*Julian Lloyd Webber* cello *David Curtis* conductor
*Vaughan Williams* The Wasps *Elgar* Cello concerto *Brahms* Symphony no2