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Lunchtime Organ Concert - Sing Carols with the City Organist
Mon 1 Dec Town Hall
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Birmingham Community Foundation Christmas Carol Concert
Wed 3 Dec Town Hall
Following last year's sell out event at Town Hall, this year's Christmas Carol Concert will include _The Snowman Suite_, exctracts from Thcaikovsky's _Nutcracker_ Suite and _Deck the Halls_ plus much more. Held in aid of the Birmingham Community Foundation. For further information please visit www.bhamfoundation.co.uk/newsfs.html £20, £25
*Birmingham Philharmonic Orchestra* *Adrian Goldberg* compere *Michael Lloyd* conductor *Choir of St Peter's Collegiate Church, Wolverhampton*
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Britten Sinfonia at Lunch - Dec 2008
Thu 4 Dec Town Hall
This opening concert in Britten Sinfonia’s acclaimed lunchtime series features works chosen by the eminent British composer Colin Matthews, including Mozart’s masterful Kegelstatt Trio. Matthews’ award-winning Elegiac Chaconne will be performed alongside a specially commissioned work from his chosen composer, Charlotte Bray. All seats £7.50, 60plus, full-time students, under 16s, unwaged £5concert lasts no longer than an hour.
*Polina Leschenko* piano *Janne Thomsen* flute *Joy Farral*l clarinet *Martin Outram* viola *Caroline Dearnley* cello
*Chopin* Polonaise Brilliante for piano and cello 8’ *Charlotte Bray* New Work 10’ (world première tour) *Colin Matthews* Elegiac Chaconne 7’ *Mozart* Kegelstatt Trio K 498 20’
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Tweedeleededeedee, Sir Ru Barb & the Green Wolf
Sat 6 Dec Town Hall
The Destroyers combine engaging narrative, song and music in this original tale that introduces a handful of memorable characters, raises important questions and encourages audience participation in a fun-packed session. Written by Paul Murphy, scored by Frank Moon. 11am - 11.45am Fun-filled interactive workshop 12 noon - 1pm Main performances, with audience participation Recommended for children aged 6 and over. www.thedestroyers.co.uk www.jigsawbridge.com
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A Boy Was Born Britten at Christmas
Sun 7 Dec Town Hall
Britten is widely regarded as the leading British composer of the 20th century. Ex Cathedra begins its festive celebrations with a performance of his best-loved Christmas repertoire - A Boy Was Born, St Nicolas and A Ceremony of Carols - in collaboration with Ex Cathedra's fellow Town Hall Associate Artist, the Orchestra of the Swan. The concert also features Ex Cathedra's Academy of Vocal Music. £30 (£27.50), £23.50 (£21), £15 (£13), £8.50 (£7) _“Textures glittered throughout”_ *The Birmingham Post* Visit Ex Cathedra's website by clicking "here":http://www.ex-cathedra.org/
*Ex Cathedra Choir* *Orchestra of the Swan* *Conductor* Jeffrey Skidmore *Tenor* Benjamin Hulett
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Quartet for the End of Time
Tue 9 Dec Town Hall
Four world-class soloists come together to mark the 100th anniversary of the birth of one of France’s greatest composers - Olivier Messiaen. His visionary _Quartet for the End of Time_ is an uplifting and spiritual work, and will be accompanied by specially commissioned visuals from artist Kathy Hinde. It is preceded by Ravel’s Piano Trio - tinged with serene disquiet and written as the world descended into the carnage of the First World War. *BBC music magazine’s editor, Oliver Condy, explains why he has recommended tonight’s concert:* _"Messiaen premiered his Book of Revelation-inspired Quartet at a Polish prisoner of war camp in 1941 in front of 5,000 fellow prisoners. Widely seen as his finest work, it’s the perfect introduction to a composer who brought French music kicking and screaming into the 20th Century.”_ "BBC Music Magazine":http://www.bbcmusicmagazine.com 6.15pm pre-concert talk Tickets £5-£20
*Steven Osborne* piano *Alban Gerhardt* cello *Viviane Hagner* violin *Kari Kriikku* clarinet *Kathy Hinde Messiaen* visuals
*Ravel* Piano Trio in A Minor 20’ *Messiaen* Quartet for the End of Time 50’
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The Puppini Sisters Christmas 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! The West Midland's premier wind-up merchant, The Gramophone Man aka 'Dj Shellac' will be playing 78's from the 1920's, 30's and 40's on two wind-up gramophones in the foyer, before and after the performance.
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Ukulele Orchestra of Great Britain Xmas Special
Thu 11 Dec Town Hall
The cult orchestra of all-singing, all-strumming, all-plucking ukulele players return to Town Hall following last year's triumphant sell out concert!
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A Swinging Christmas featuring the BBC Big Band with special guest Matthew Ford. In association with BBC Radio 2
Fri 12 Dec Town Hall
Seasonal and swinging classics from the BBC Big Band with acclaimed vocalist Matthew Ford. Join the celebration as they perform favourites including _Midnight Sleighride_, _The Christmas Song_, _Let it Snow_, _Winter Wonderland_ and _Santa Claus is Coming to Town_.
Conductor *Jiggs Whigham*
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Omara Portuondo
Sat 13 Dec Town Hall
*Omara Portuondo:* *Diva of Buena Vista Social Club* Omara Portuondo is of the world’s legendary female voices • the seductive sound of old Havana. She has had a hugely successful career since the 1950s, and from 1995 she and Ibrahim Ferrer were the vocal heart of Buena Vista Social Club. Her central part in its success secured her a whole new fan base, wooed by her romantic tenderness, her latino rhythms, and her Piaf-like passion. This autumn she tours her new album, Gracias, with her core band members from Cuba and Brazil.
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Town Hall presents Bellowhead with support In association with Moseley Folk Festival
Tue 16 Dec Town Hall
Bellowhead have taken the festival scene by the scruff of the neck over the past couple of years. Voted best group and best live band in the 2007 BBC Radio 2 Folk Awards, their euphoric live shows are much more than just folk, taking traditional songs to modern places with a wild invention, wit and energy that defies categorisation. “Wild, joyous, perverse, bold, crazed, full-blooded, intricate, fearless, funny, epic and mostly BIG . . . Bellowhead don't disappoint. Prepare to be amazed.” fRoots “They sweep all before them into a heady mix of great tunes, innovative arrangements, rampant imagination and brazen front . . . Extraordinary.” Mojo £18.50 stalls standing or circle seated
The support acts are as follows: The Old Dance School and Dave Swarbrick
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Midlands Hospitals' Choir Christmas Celebration
Tue 16 Dec Symphony Hall
Choirs from hospitals in Birmingham and across the Midlands will be joining together to sing Christmas music and traditional carols for all the family. Led by Artistic Director David Lawrence and organist Julian Wilkins, the concert will feature a special performance by Gemini Brass and encourages full audience participation. The concert will be in aid of CLIC Sargent and are sponsored by Foresters. The Midland Hospitals' Choir is currently in its 27th year, and has raised over £108,000 to date in support of CLIC Sargent, the UK's leading children's cancer charity.
*Birmingham Philharmonic Orchestra* *Adrian Goldberg* compere *Michael Lloyd* conductor *Choir of St Peter’s Collegiate Church, Wolverhampton*
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Roy Wood Rock & Roll Band: Christmas Special plus support
Wed 17 Dec Town Hall
Birmingham born Roy enjoyed huge success as a member ofThe Move, Electric Light Orchestra and Wizzard and is forever linked to the festive season thanks to the hit _I Wish it could be Christmas Everyday_. Following last year's sell-out performance at Town Hall, Wood returns with his band to kick off Christmas in style. £20 Stalls unreserved standing or Circle reserved seating
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Maddy Prior and the Carnival Band - Carols and Capers 2008
Thu 18 Dec Town Hall
A unique celebratory show of Christmas music on renaissance and modern instruments. Maddy and the Carnival Band put their inimitable stamp on familiar and not-so-familiar festive fare, from favourites like The Holly and the Ivy to secular carols, such as The Boar’s Head, and dance tunes like Old Joe Clark.
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Black Voices Christmas Concert
Fri 19 Dec Town Hall
Town Hall Associate Artists Black Voices, the UK’s most successful female a cappella group, return for their annual Xmas concert. In the second half, they’re joined by the inspirational Town Hall Gospel Choir for highlights from Messiah: A Soulful Celebration, the gospel/soul version of Handel’s masterpiece that reopened Town Hall last year, to huge success. Black Voices is a Town Hall Associate Artist
Black Voices Carol Pemberton music director Town Hall Gospel Choir Ken Burton music director Musicians from the BBC Big Band
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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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Christmas Celebrations City of Birmingham Choir
Sun 21 Dec Town Hall
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Thomas Spencer-Wortley: Believe at Christmas
Mon 22 Dec Town Hall
Bridging the divide between Classical and West End music, new singing sensation Thomas Spencer-Wortley, described as "_the English Josh Groban_" is building a reputation as one of the country's leading crossover artists. Joining him on stage is his fantastic ensemble which includes the UK's up and coming string quartet Midnight Strings, adult and children's choirs, and also guest female soloists live from London's West End. With hits from top shows, well known classics such as _The Rose_, _You Raise Me Up_ and _The Prayer_ not to mention a wonderful selection of festive favourites; _Believe at Christmas_ will be a magical evening leaving you inspired and full of Christmas cheer! £10, £19.50, £22.50
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The Scottish Fiddle Orchestra
Sat 27 Dec Town Hall
The Scottish Fiddle Orchestra returns to Town Hall, following last year’s sold-out concert, with a lively concert for the festive season. The unique arrangements of traditional items, mixed with John Mmason’s original compositions, are performed by an orchestra of fiddles, flutes, cellos, basses, accordions, piano and pipes, and augmented by the incomparable organ of Town Hall. Jigs, reels, marches, songs and other dance music will keep your feet tapping and have you joining in with the performers. Programme will also feature some poignant slow airs and the orchestra’s unique and stirring rendition of Highland Cathedral. This will be a night to remember for all the family, and especially for anyone with Scots connections. £10, £14, £18, £22.50, Choir benches £7.5
*John Mason MBE* conductor/musical director *Colette Ruddy* soprano *Dennis Haggerty* tenor *Jim McColl* compere
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New Year's Eve Concert
Wed 31 Dec Town Hall
A musical feast in the heart of Birmingham. Start your New Year’s celebrations early with this rousing concert of Proms favourites in the distinctive setting of Birmingham’s Town Hall. *CELEBRATE THE NEW YEAR!*
_And all your Proms favourites_ *Fantasia on Greensleeves* *Rule, Britannia!* *Nessun dorma* *Land of Hope and Glory* John Hudson _tenor_ Richard Morrison _baritone_ Anthony Inglis _conductor_ London Concert Orchestra
*Rossini* Galop from William Tell *Sousa* Liberty Bell March *Mussorgsky* Great Gate of Kiev *Waldteufel* The Skaters’ Waltz *Mendelssohn* The Hebrides Overture *Bizet* The Pearl Fishers Duet *Walton* Crown Imperial *Di Capua* O sole Mio *Suppé* Light Cavalry Overture *Rossini* Largo al factotum *Strauss* Radetzky March
