What's On — All events

CBSO Chopin 200 - Matinee

Thu 25 Feb 2:15pm Symphony Hall

Next week the musical world celebrates the 200th birthday of its favourite composer of piano music, and the CBSO gets in early with performances of his dazzling and lyrical second concerto, played by a leading American pianist. This is gloriously romantic music, and Tchaikovsky’s famous Shakespearean overture is even more so. Regular guest conductor Andrew Litton is renowned for his commitment to English music, and here he conducts Vaughan Williams’ most dramatic symphony.
*City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra* *Andrew Litton* _conductor_ *William Wolfram* _piano_
*Tchaikovsky* _Romeo and Juliet_ 21’ *Chopin* Piano Concerto No 2 30’ *Vaughan Williams* Symphony No 4 34’
CBSO Chopin 200

Wed 24 Feb 7:30pm Symphony Hall

Next week the musical world celebrates the 200th birthday of its favourite composer of piano music, and the CBSO gets in early with performances of his dazzling and lyrical second concerto, played by a leading American pianist. This is gloriously romantic music, and Tchaikovsky’s famous Shakespearean overture is even more so. Regular guest conductor Andrew Litton is renowned for his commitment to English music, and here he conducts Vaughan Williams’ most dramatic symphony.
*City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra* *Andrew Litton* _conductor_ *William Wolfram* _piano_
*Tchaikovsky* _Romeo and Juliet_ 21’ *Chopin* Piano Concerto No 2 30’ *Vaughan Williams* Symphony No 4 34’
Centre Stage - Andrew Lit...

Wed 24 Feb 1:10pm Book through our ticket office for CBSO Centre

*Korngold* Piano Quintet
*CBSO Players* *Andrew Litton* _piano_
*Korngold* Piano Quintet
Lunchtime Organ Concert Paul Carr

Mon 22 Feb 1:00pm Town Hall

*Paul Carr* _organ_
*Berlioz* Rákóczi March from La Damnation de Faust (arr. Best) *Bach* Sinfonia to Cantata BWV 29 *Guilmant* Fantasie on two English Melodies *Litaize* Scherzo *Lefébure-Wély* Boléro de Concert *Rachmaninov* Vocalise *Spicer* Kiwi Fireworks: Five variations on ‘God Defend New Zealand’
Sing Live present The Mus...

Sun 21 Feb 7:30pm Town Hall

Sing Live West Midlands perform hits from The Rat Pack and Frank Sinatra, Michael Bublé, Harry Connick Jnr, Robbie Williams plus many more. Hear massed voices performing _Come Fly With Me, It Had to Be You_ and _I Left My Heart in San Francisco_. You will know them all!
Accompanied by *The National Festival Orchestra Big Band* *Steven Roberts* _musical director_
CBSO Youth Orchestra

Sun 21 Feb 7:00pm Symphony Hall

Conductor Michael Seal has built a special relationship with the CBSO Youth Orchestra - and tonight he takes them on the ride of their lives. John Foulds’ rapturous English tone-poem was forgotten for decades before the CBSO relaunched it in 2006; tonight, it’s the perfect upbeat to Elgar’s haunting, hugely popular Cello Concerto, performed by a stunning young Scandanvian cellist. Then William Walton unleashes hell, with his stupendous First Symphony. Blazing with passion and driven by an almost volcanic energy, nothing in British music is remotely like it. If you heard the CBSO Youth Orchestra playing Mahler last season, you’ll know to expect a performance that’ll take your breath away.
*CBSO Youth Orchestra* *Michael Seal* _conductor_ *Andreas Brantelid* _cello_
*Foulds* _April - England_ 8’ *Elgar* Cello Concerto 26’ *Walton* Symphony No 1 43’
An Evening of Music and D... Dancers of Birmingham Royal Ballet

Sat 20 Feb 7:30pm Symphony Hall

As it prepares to celebrate 20 years in the City, Birmingham Royal Ballet and its orchestra the Royal Ballet Sinfonia return to Symphony Hall for a concert of ballet music. The evening includes danced highlights from the Company's repertory, such as the glorious fairytale ballet _The Sleeping Beauty_. Introduced by passionate ballet fan Alan Titchmarsh, and under the baton of the Sinfonia's principal conductor Paul Murphy, this is a must for any ballet enthusiast.
*Birmingham Royal Ballet* *Royal Ballet Sinfonia* *Paul Murphy* _conductor_ *Alan Titchmarsh* _presenter_
Steve Reich's Drumming

Sat 20 Feb 7:30pm Town Hall

Steve Reich’s Drumming is one of the iconic masterpieces of the last fifty years. Inspired by Reich’s studies in Ghana with master drummer Gideon Alorwoyie, it is a transcendent and dramatic tapestry of pounding bongo drums, mesmerising marimbas, glassy glockenspiels and women’s voices, with an irresistible sense of momentum. Colin Currie’s performances have led a new generation to rediscover this staggering masterwork.
*Colin Currie, Sam Walton, Joby Burgess, Tony Bedewi, Adrian Spillet, Richard Benjafield, Owen Gunnell, Andrew Cottee* _percussion_ *Rowland Sutherland* _piccolo_ *Synergy Vocals*
*Steve Reich* Clapping Music 5’ Nagoya Marimbas 5’ Music for Mallet Instruments, Voices and Organ 19’ Drumming c.60’
Colin Currie Percussion D...

Sat 20 Feb 11:00am Town Hall

A family event introducing percussion instruments and music from around the world, with participation and audience involvement. This fun programme includes rhythm and improvisation games based on music from Africa, the chance to explore the marimba, and the opportunity for children to be part of their own on-stage ensemble, based on an explosive work for nine drums by Scandinavian composer Per Norgaard. Part of Town Hall Drumming Day
Tim Vine: The Joke-amotiv... Plus support John Archer

Fri 19 Feb 8:00pm Town Hall

Here it comes over the brow of the hilarity. It’s Tim Vine in a train. Stand back from the platform in case you get hit by a prop. Every carriage is packed full of gags. Can you hear them? Chug chug joke joke, chug chug joke joke. Be on your guard. This train Timinates here. King of the one-liner and star of BBC1 _Not Going Out_ tours the country with his brand new stand-up show with support from John Archer. _“No one else will give you as many gags for your money. Vine is superb, as clever as anything being done today”._ The Guardian _“Vine is a supreme punmeister”_ TIME OUT
Rush Hour Blues - Kit Dow...

Fri 19 Feb 5:30pm Symphony Hall Foyer Bars

One of the most exciting young bands in the UK today, featuring Kit Downes on piano. Presented in association with Birmingham Jazz.
Birmingham Conservatoire ...

Fri 19 Feb 1:00pm Town Hall

A wonderful programme that showcases not only the talents of 2009’s prize-winner Cosima Yu, but also the Conservatoire’s Quartet-in-Residence, as they join forces for one of Mozart’s greatest masterpieces.
*Cosima Yu* _clarinet_ *Robert Markham* _piano_ *Boult String Quartet*
*Schumann* Fantasiestücke, Op 73 *Debussy* Première Rhapsody *Mozart* Clarinet Quintet K581
Birmingham City Universit...

Fri 19 Feb 10:15am Symphony Hall
CBSO A Soirée with...

Thu 18 Feb 7:30pm Symphony Hall

It’s a real pleasure to welcome back to Birmingham the amazing Labèque sisters, for one of the most sparkling of all French pieces, Poulenc’s delightful double concerto. They also bring their uniquely gallic flair to Debussy’s masterpiece for two pianos and Ravel’s sumptuous Spanish fantasy brings the evening to an exuberant finish. *We are sorry to announce that Lionel Bringuier has been obliged to withdraw from tonight’s concert as he has had a fall and injured his arm. We are very grateful to Gilbert Varga who replaces him at short notice. This replacement has led to a change in the advertised programme, which is now as listed below.*
*City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra* *Gilbert Varga* _conductor_ *Katia & Marielle Labèque* _piano_
*Berlioz* Overture, _Le Corsaire_ 9’ *Debussy* _En blanc et noir_ 16’ *Poulenc* Concerto for two pianos 20’ *Ravel* _Mother Goose_ Suite *Ravel* Boléro
An Evening With Larry Lam...
Cancelled
Wed 17 Feb 8:00pm Town Hall

An evening of entertainment and stories from Larry’s life on and off- stage. From selling encyclopedias in Germany to corrosion control technician in America, Larry has a large repertoire of anecdotes to share. After answering an “Actors Wanted” advert, he has gone on to TV stardom, most recently as Archie Mitchell in EastEnders and Michael “Mick” Shipman, in Gavin and Stacey.
Please note: This event has been cancelled.
King of Instruments: Thom... Orchestra of the Swan

Wed 17 Feb 2:30pm Town Hall

Poulenc’s organ concerto is a perfect foil for Albinoni’s much loved Adagio for organ and strings. Youthful works from Rossini, Respighi and Mendelssohn complete the progamme.
*Orchestra of the Swan* *David Curtis* conductor *Thomas Trotter* organ
*Rossini* String Sonata No 3 in C *Albinoni* Adagio for organ and strings *Mendelssohn* Symphony No 8 *Respighi* Ancient Airs and Dances, Suite No 3 *Poulenc* Organ Concerto
MIDLAKE Plus support Sarah Jaffe

Tue 16 Feb 7:30pm Town Hall

The Texas quintet make their Town Hall debut to mark the release of their third album, _The Courage Of Others_. The album is the follow-up to _The Trials of Van Occupanther_, their second, hugely loved breakthrough album, which received masses of critical acclaim: _“Skilfully textured and beautifully written...Fans of Flaming Lips, Wilco and Grandaddy should get it immediately. And fall in love.”_ *Word* _“... music descended directly from the golden era of American folk: the prairie-wide melodies and plaintive harmonies of Fleetwood Mac and Neil Young... This rocks.”_ *The Telegraph*

Doors 7.30pm Sarah Jaffe 8pm Midlake 9pm
Birmingham City Universit...

Mon 15 Feb 3:30pm Symphony Hall
Lunchtime Organ Concert Thomas Trotter

Mon 15 Feb 1:00pm Town Hall

*Thomas Trotter* _organ_
*Hollins* Concert Overture in C minor *Bairstow* Sonata *Goss-Custard* Chelsea Fayre *Ketelbey* Bells across the Meadows *Coates* Princess Elizabeth March *Wagner* Evening Star (from _Tannhauser_) and The Ride of the Valkyries
Birmingham City Universit...

Mon 15 Feb 10:15am Symphony Hall