What's On — All events

Music and Stories!

Sat 6 Jun 2009 11:00am Town Hall

Town Hall Associate Artists, Orchestra of the Swan team up with one of the nation's most successful storytellers, Clive Dennis Cole, to present a interactive music and storytelling experience like no other. Bring bells and your shaker to help make music, your singing voice for nursery rhymes and your creative imagination for storytelling as we go on a magical journey through music and stories.
Rush Hour Blues: Walsall ...

Fri 5 Jun 2009 5:30pm Symphony Hall Foyer Bars

A return for the winners of the Audience Poll for 2008.
Ralph McTell

Thu 4 Jun 2009 8:00pm Town Hall

Described by Billy Connolly as _‘Britain's best singer/songwriter’_ , Ralph McTell is one of our most consummate entertainers. He has won _The Ivor Novello Award_ and a _BBC Lifetime Achievement Award_ for his songwriting. You, the audience, will travel with Ralph on a ninety-minute journey along the musical path he has followed for over four decades. Ralph's astute observation and wry take on life shine through his songs and anecdotes. His rich baritone voice and his virtuosity on guitar promise a very special evening. _"A big man with a big heart and a big, big talent."_ Willy Russell _"McTell hits the spot by telling your personal story: yours and everyone's."_ The Guardian

Please note there is no support and no interval.
Camille O'Sullivan The Dark Angel

Wed 3 Jun 2009 8:00pm Town Hall

After stunning performances on “Later. . .with Jools Holland” and five star sell-out shows at the Edinburgh Fringe, Camille O’Sullivan returns to Town Hall. Camille has recently performed sell out seasons in Ireland, New York, Australia (Sydney Opera House) and been a special guest star of the Broadway hit show La Clique. Camille will be joined on the road with her 5 piece band. “. . .it's as though her breath is soaked in paraffin; one spark, and the whole room would ignite.” Daily Telegraph “We gave her five stars last year; after this performance we’d give her six if we could” FIVE STARS Metro “She smears her face white, slashes her lips with red and makes like a discarded doll. Her wine-soaked voice cracks with emotion, or ennui: it's as if she is summoning her last dregs of energy to utter each syllable. Even letting down her hair becomes an event; another icon of scuzzy glamour, to set against her fishnets and fulsome decolletage, and the fairy lights and shimmering frocks that decorate the stage...' FOUR STARS Brian Logan, The Guardian "Click here":http://www.youtube.com/camilleosullivan to see Camille on YouTube
BBC WM's Nikki Tapper and...

Tue 2 Jun 2009 7:30pm Town Hall

BBC WM’s Nikki Tapper and Joe Aldred host a fantastic evening of song and inspiration. Experience the best in local talent from childen’s choirs to top soloists.
The amazing voice of *Jennifer Wallace* from Birmingham’s very own Black Voices Leading jazz and gospel singer *Carol Brewster* MOBO gospel award winners *Hutchinson & Gayle* Nationally acclaimed opera singer *Abigail Kelly* Birmingham’s R n' B gospel singers *Clearrose* Aston Performing Arts Academy's *Young Stars* and *Inner City Voices* *Cannon Street Baptist Children's Choir* *Crystal Gospel Choir* With host band *Interim* Supporting BBC WM’s Kidney Kids Appeal to build a new kidney unit at Birmingham Children’s Hospital.
Elgar Birthday Concert

Tue 2 Jun 2009 1:00pm Town Hall

Elgar's most personal music was haunted by the 'might-have-been' of his one-time fiancée, Helen Weaver. But she emigrated to New Zealand, and he married his pupil Alice Roberts. Thirty years later, Helen burst into his life once more, in the most unexpected and disruptive way. This concert depicts a romance in music, songs, readings and pictures.
*Amanda Pitt* soprano *Mark Wilde* tenor *David Owen Norris* piano
Christy Moore with Declan...

Mon 1 Jun 2009 8:00pm Symphony Hall

“The mighty figure of Christy Moore looms over Irish song in much the same way that Martin Carthy dominates the English folk scene” Nigel Williamson, The Times Christy Moore has been singing, writing and collecting songs for most of his life. His career spans an amazing 40 years, and includes over 30 recorded releases. His live performances have run the gamut from small folk clubs in Ireland and England to premier concert halls throughout the world. Christy is regarded by many as one of Ireland’s most important and influential artists, being called ‘Ireland’s Woody Guthrie’ by some and considered by many to be a national treasure. “I’ve been singing since before I could talk and performing since I’ve learned to walk - songs have infiltrated every corner of my life. I’ve been learning where the music comes from and how the words sound so different when they are sung. I’ve been mesmerised by the power of the greatest musical instrument and I’ve witnessed how it can induce the healing tears of sadness and laughter.” Christy Moore £28, £32.50
Lunchtime Organ Concert -... with Crispian Steele-Perkins (trumpet)

Mon 1 Jun 2009 1:00pm Town Hall

A mixed programme for organ and trumpet featuring works by Haydn, Torelli and Leroy Anderson.
*Thomas Trotter* organ *Crispian Steele-Perkins* trumpet
HANDEL Water Music Suite, Overture, Air, Hornpipe HAYDN Trumpet Concerto in E flat, Allegro, Andante - Rondo FLAGLER Variations on an old American Air G.LANGFORD Andante & Scherzo from Concertino GERSHWIN Prelude No 2 ANDERSON Three Piece: Bugler's Holiday, Sandpaper Ballet, The Typewriter
Natalie Clein & Alina...

Sun 31 May 2009 7:30pm Town Hall

Two of today’s most eagerly watched young soloists share a programme of Bach masterpieces for solo violin and cello. No young cellist has made more impact than Natalie Clein, and violinist Alina Ibragimova was described recently by The Times as “destined to be a force in the classical music firmament for decades to come.” Bach’s Second Solo Violin Partita includes the towering Chaconne in D minor - one of the ultimate peaks of the violin repertoire - whilst the Cello Suites glow with life-affirming joy and expressivity.
*Natalie Clein* cello *Alina Ibragimova* violin
*Bach* Cello Suite No 1 in G, BWV1007 17’ *Bach* Violin Partita No 2 in D minor, BWV1004 29’ *Bach* Violin Sonata No 1 in G minor, BWV1001 16’ *Bach* Cello Suite No 3 in C, BWV1009 20’
Mahler’s Resurrecti...

Sun 31 May 2009 4:00pm Symphony Hall

Andris Nelsons is the latest CBSO music director to bring us his interpretation of Mahler’s huge, all-embracing Resurrection symphony, long a CBSO speciality. Featuring a gigantic orchestra - on and offstage - as well as vocalists and chorus, this is one of the biggest statements in late-romantic art. Mahler’s emotional intensity, his echoing trumpet calls and his way of dividing the orchestra into different groups all find a contemporary echo in a recent work by leading German composer Jörg Widmann.
Andris Nelsons - conductor Sarah Fox - soprano Mihoko Fujimura - mezzo-soprano City of Birmingham Symphony Chorus City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra
Mahler: Symphony No. 2 (Resurrection) 77’
Sunday Morning Coffee Con... David Rees-Williams Trio Plays Bach

Sun 31 May 2009 11:00am Town Hall

The David Rees-Williams trio unite the best of classical and jazz. Following the release of _Thinking Aloud_, which was widely acclaimed as one of the outstanding albums of its genre, the trio round off the _Bach: A Beautiful Mind_ weekend with a bach-infused set perfect for Sunday morning listening. If you like the Jacques Loussier Trio, you’ll love this.
Angela Hewitt plays Bach&...

Sat 30 May 2009 7:30pm Town Hall

Bach’s Goldberg Variations is regarded as one of classical music’s most iconic works: a universal masterpiece that somehow reconciles simplicity and complexity, pleasure and profundity, music and mathematics. Canadian pianist Angela Hewitt is one of the work’s greatest living interpreters, playing it here in the intimate surroundings of Town Hall. *Classic FM’s Anne-Marie Minhall says of tonight’s recommended concert:* _'After Leif Ove Andsnes appearing in the Town Hall earlier in May, what a treat to welcome another phenomenal pianist, Angela Hewitt before the month is out. Angela Hewitt is also one of many musicians who keeps fans up-to-date with an online blog on her official website_ "angelahewitt.com":http://www.angelahewitt.com/ _. You can keep track of her relentless performance schedule (one day Rome, the next London before moving on to Ottawa ..) as well as read the latest reviews of her concerts. Tonight is an opportunity to hear the work of genius that is Bach’s Goldberg Variations. Astonishing to think that Johann Sebastian was commissioned to compose the piece by a nobleman desperate for a good night’s sleep. Poor old Count Kayserling, who was a great supporter of Bach’s, suffered with insomnia. One of his musical employees, Johann Goldberg, was tasked with playing the Variations in an attempt to lull his Master to sleep.'_ "Classic FM":http://www.classicfm.co.uk
Bach Discovery Day

Sat 30 May 2009 11:00am Symphony Hall

Preceding Angela Hewitt's performance of the Goldberg Variations, we present a day-long series of talks by guest speakers, with discussions and live music, that will give us a deeper insight into Bach's beautiful mind, as well as the man behind the music. Chaired by BBC Radio 3's Graeme Kay, the Bach Discovery will include sessions on Bach the man, Bach and spirituality, Bach and the magic of numbers, Performing Bach, and a screening of the Bach episode from Simon Russell Beale's BBC 4 series on choral music. Participants include Chris de Souza (radio presenter, record producer and composer), musician and Lutheran liturgical expert Peter Lea-Cox, Kevin Jones (Emeritus Professor of Music, Kingston University), and the acclaimed jazz interpreter of Bach, David Rees-Williams, who plays at Town Hall on the morning of Sunday 31 May. From 1pm to 2.15pm there will be a free 'Come and sing' event on stage in Symphony Hall, based around Bach's motet Lobet den Herrn, conducted by Peter King, Organist of Bath Abbey. This session is open to all, whether or not you are attending the rest of the day.
Dominic Kirwan In Concert

Fri 29 May 2009 7:45pm Town Hall

Although Dominic enjoys superstar status today with chart-topping albums and phenomenally successful concert tours, his Irish roots and early musical influences can still be seen in his live shows. Join Dominic and his band for an unforgettable evening of music delivered in his own inimitable style!
Thomas Trotter plays Bach...

Fri 29 May 2009 7:30pm Symphony Hall

It is said that Bach wrote these six miniature masterpieces as training studies for his son Wilhelm Friedmann. Written in three parts (one for each hand and one for the feet!), they are still amongst the most taxing pieces in all organ music, requiring physical dexterity and superb artistry to realise their vitality and charm. *BBC Music magazine’s Editor, Oliver Condy, explains why he has recommended tonight’s concert:* _'The master of organ performance tackles Bach’s fiendish, extraordinary Trio Sonatas. Few organists would dare play all six in performance, but then Trotter has a reputation for being pretty fearless at the keyboard. If you want to be astounded by technique and musical beauty, this is the concert for you. The Symphony Hall Klais organ is perfect for this repertoire too.'_ "BBC Music Magazine":http://www.bbcmusicmagazine.com
Tim Collinson Quartet

Fri 29 May 2009 5:30pm Symphony Hall Foyer Bars

An engaging and diverse quartet from London led by Tim Collinson. Free admission
Centre Stage Haydn 200

Thu 28 May 2009 1:10pm Book through our ticket office for CBSO Centre

*CBSO Players*
*Haydn* String Quartet in D Op 20 No4 *Haydn* String Quartet in B minor Op 33 No 1
Mahler’s Resurrecti...

Wed 27 May 2009 7:30pm Symphony Hall

Andris Nelsons is the latest CBSO music director to bring us his interpretation of Mahler’s huge, all-embracing Resurrection symphony, long a CBSO speciality. Featuring a gigantic orchestra - on and offstage - as well as vocalists and chorus, this is one of the biggest statements in late-romantic art. Mahler’s emotional intensity, his echoing trumpet calls and his way of dividing the orchestra into different groups all find a contemporary echo in a recent work by leading German composer Jörg Widmann. 6.15pm Pre-concert talk - Premiere! - Jorg Widmann Eminent German composer Jörg Widmann talks to Stephen Maddock about his Antiphon - which receives its UK premiere tonight.
Andris Nelsons - conductor Sarah Fox - soprano Mihoko Fujimura - mezzo-soprano City of Birmingham Symphony Chorus City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra
Widmann: Antiphon (UK premiere) 15’ Mahler: Symphony No. 2 (Resurrection) 77’
Restyling Style The Ultimate Rock-Classical Fusion Event

Tue 26 May 2009 7:30pm Book through our ticket office for CBSO Centre

More details to follow shortly
Branford Marsalis Quartet

Tue 26 May 2009 7:30pm Town Hall

World-renowned saxophonist Branford Marsalis, born in 1960, has always been a man of numerous musical interests, from jazz, blues and funk to such classical music projects as his Fall 2008 tour with Marsalis Brasilianos. The three-time Grammy winner has continued to exercise and expand his skills as an instrumentalist, a composer, and the head of Marsalis Music, the label he founded in 2002 that has allowed him to produce both his own projects and those of the jazz world’s most promising new and established artists. The New Orleans native was born into one of the city’s most distinguished musical families, which includes patriarch/pianist/educator Ellis and Branford’s siblings Wynton, Delfeayo and Jason. Branford gained initial acclaim through his work with Art Blakey’s Jazz Messengers and his brother Wynton’s quintet in the early 1980s before forming his own ensemble. He has also performed and recorded with a who’s-who of jazz giants including Miles Davis, Dizzy Gillespie, Herbie Hancock and Sonny Rollins. *Concert lasts approximately 90 minutes, please note there will be no interval*
*Branford Marsalis* saxophones *Joey Calderazzo* piano *Eric Revis* bass *Justin Faulkner* drums