What's On — All events

Schools Concert: New Worl... 11.30am and 1.30pm

Fri 13 Feb 2009 11:30am 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
Ray Lamontagne

Thu 12 Feb 2009 7:30pm Symphony Hall

With his remarkable, rough hewn vocals and evocative, finely etched songs, Ray LaMontagne has, in but a few short years, become the rare artist of whom the world waits with to see what each new work will reveal. Now, on his much anticipated third album, the Maine-based singer and songwriter has crafted a warm and welcoming record which unveils heretofore untapped depths of ingenuity and optimism. Touching upon a range of styles and musical setting - spanning pastoral folk, railroad blues, front porch country, and plangent balladry - “GOSSIP IN THE GRAIN” proves to be LaMontagne’s most creative and emotionally expansive collection to date. £19
Bruch's Violin Concerto

Wed 11 Feb 2009 7:30pm 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’
Nash Ensemble

Tue 10 Feb 2009 7:30pm Town Hall

Rarely has a composer produced a work of such effortless genius as the sixteen-year-old Mendelssohn’s _Octet_ - a miraculous stream of wonderful melody. The Nash Ensemble marks the 200th anniversary of Mendelssohn’s birth (February 1809) with a performance of this masterpiece in the hall in which the composer once played and conducted. It is heard next to the delicious Sextet from Strauss’s _Capriccio_ and the dark tragedy of Mozart’s great G minor String Quintet. 6.15pm pre-concert talk Click "here":http://www.thsh.co.uk/page/contact-us/press-office/mendelssohn-anniversary-celebrated/ for the Mendelssohn anniversary press release in our Press Office section.

*Strauss* Sextet ( _Capriccio_ ) 6’ *Mozart* Quintet in G Minor, K516 33’ *Mendelssohn* Octet 38’
Lunchtime Organ Concert -... Mendelssohn 200th Anniversary Concert

Mon 9 Feb 2009 1:00pm Town Hall

A concert to celebrate the 200th anniversary of Mendelssohn's birth and his links with Birmingham, by Thomas Trotter, Birmingham City Organist. Click "here":http://www.thsh.co.uk/page/contact-us/press-office/mendelssohn-anniversary-celebrated/ for the Mendelssohn anniversary press release in our Press Office section.
*Thomas Trotter* organ
*Mendelssohn* Prelude & Fugue in C minor Andante in D with Variations Sonata No 1 in F minor Nocturne & Scherzo (from _A Midsummer Night's Dream_) War March of the Priests (from _Athalie_)
Sharleen Spiteri Start Time: 8pm

Sun 8 Feb 2009 8:00pm Symphony Hall

Sharleen Spiteri, one of the most successful women in British music over the last 25 years, makes her solo debut at Symphony Hall this February - hot on the heels of her solo album ‘Melody’ which went straight into the album charts at No 3, and has already been declared Gold for 100,000 sales. The release of 'Melody' has seen Sharleen back in huge demand with performances on a range of massive UK TV shows from Later with Jools Holland to the Andrew Marr Show, via Graham Norton, The Charlotte Church Show and Transmission. Debut single ‘All The Times I Cried’ received a Neilson award for over 10,000 plays on UK Radio, including a coveted Radio 2 ‘A’ Playlisting. Follow up single ‘Stop I Don’t Love You Anymore’ is also climbing the Airplay Top 20. Sharleen has also performed radio sessions for Radio 2 and Virgin as well as slotting in a triumphant main stage surprise performance at hometown festival T in the Park. She also starred at the recent BBC Proms in the Park, when she performed to over 30,000 people in London’s Hyde Park. Press plaudits include the NME who called Melody ‘a succulent record of Dusty Springfield-isms’. The 2009 tour will see Sharleen perform tracks from Melody for the first time, along with a few Texas classics and, as always with Sharleen, some musical surprises - all delivered by one of the best and most distinctive voices in British music.
Please note: the start time for this event is 8pm. The runtimes will now be as follows: 8pm �" 8.30pm Kizzy Star 9pm �" 10.30pm Sharleen Spiteri
Sunday Morning Coffee Con... ECHO Rising Stars series

Sun 8 Feb 2009 11:00am Town Hall

Since its formation in 2003 the Minetti Quartett, consisting of four outstanding young Austrian musicians, has enjoyed considerable success. The Minetti Quartett has been chosen to participate by the European Concert Halls Organisation and will also perform at Amsterdam Concertgebouw, Stockholm Konserthuset, Cité de la musique Paris, and many more prestigious European venues.

*Haydn* String Quartet Op 64 No 4 *Webern* Six Bagatelles Op 3 *Beethoven* String Qurtet in E minor Op 59 No 2
Teddy Thompson with speci...

Sat 7 Feb 2009 8:00pm Town Hall

_A Piece of What You Need_ - Thompson's fourth album overall and his third for Verve - is the London-born, New York-based artist's most ambitious and accomplished effort to date, showcasing his formidable vocal, songwriting and guitar talents while venturing into rewarding new musical and lyrical territory. Thompson's trademark blend of catchy songcraft, pensive emotional insight and good-natured black humor is present on such new tunes as In My Arms, What's This?!!, Don't Know What I Was Thinking and the bittersweetly fatalistic Turning the Gun On Myself. The album's effortless pop sensibility is matched by a playful sonic palette that incorporates such aural surprises as the careening brass band on _Can't Sing Straight_ and _One of These Days,_ or the Hitchcockian orchestral rushes that haunt the cinematic _Jonathan's Book._ American singer/songwriter Tift Merritt opens the show with music from her extensive repertoire, including songs from her critically acclaimed album _Tambourine_. £13
Dvorák’s New...

Sat 7 Feb 2009 7:00pm 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’
Notelets Action Stations! 2pm

Sat 7 Feb 2009 2:00pm 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!
Music to your Ears Monthly Children's Events at Town Hall

Sat 7 Feb 2009 12:00pm Town Hall

This exciting presentation, with lots of demonstrations and audience interaction, reveals the secrets from the basics of sound to the latest in music technology. Witness the ultimate 'hands-free' instrument and see a musical instrument played with a blowtorch! Discover what sound is and see what it actually looks like. Find out how our ears pick up sound and how they can be damaged by loud music. Uncover the mysteries of how CD players and MP3 players work and have some fun with synthesised voices! _"I never knew that you could amplify sound using a table!"_ Student
Music to your Ears Monthly Children's Events at Town Hall

Sat 7 Feb 2009 11:00am Town Hall

This exciting presentation, with lots of demonstrations and audience interaction, reveals the secrets from the basics of sound to the latest in music technology. Witness the ultimate 'hands-free' instrument and see a musical instrument played with a blowtorch! Discover what sound is and see what it actually looks like. Find out how our ears pick up sound and how they can be damaged by loud music. Uncover the mysteries of how CD players and MP3 players work and have some fun with synthesised voices! _"I never knew that you could amplify sound using a table!"_ Student
Notelets Action Stations! 11am

Sat 7 Feb 2009 11:00am 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!
Social Ballroom Dance Doors open at 7:30pm and dancing from 8-11pm

Fri 6 Feb 2009 8:00pm Town Hall

The very best of social dancing in the elegant setting of Town Hall. With ballroom exhibition dancers and live music provided by Garry Allcock and his All-Stars Band. The evening will feature exhibition Ballroom Dancing by current British Amateur Champions Jack Beale and Vyktorija Triscuka.
Garry Allcock and his All-Stars Band Jack Beale and Vyktorija Triscuka IMPORTANT ANNOUNCEMENT At the present time it is planned that tonights Dance at Town Hall will go ahead. However, in the event of a deterioration in weather conditions please contact the Box Office on 0121 780 3333 before beginning your journey.
Friday Night Classics: A ...

Fri 6 Feb 2009 7:30pm 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
Steve Yemba & Crossro...

Fri 6 Feb 2009 5:30pm Symphony Hall Foyer Bars

Crossroad Collision is a percussion group influenced by jazz and African music.
Tea Dance with Garry Allcock and his All-Stars Band

Fri 6 Feb 2009 2:30pm Town Hall

Enjoy a wonderfull dance in the glorious surroundings of Town Hall with live music from Garry Allcock and his All-Stars Band.
IMPORTANT ANNOUNCEMENT At the present time it is planned that this afternoons Dance at Town Hall will go ahead. However, in the event of a deterioration in weather conditions please contact the Box Office on 0121 780 3333 before beginning your journey.
Centre Stage Eduardo Vassallo and Laurence Jackson

Fri 6 Feb 2009 1:10pm Book through our ticket office for CBSO Centre
Juan Martin Flamenco Ense...

Thu 5 Feb 2009 7:30pm Town Hall

Voted into the top guitarists in the world by US Guitar Player magazine, Juan Martin brings his line up of the finest dancers and musicians. Martins ensemble is at the vanguard of modern flamenco with a unique style of music that succeeds in embracing classical, jazz and modern harmonies. An evening of exhilarating music and dance not to be missed.
IMPORTANT ANNOUNCEMENT At the present time it is planned that tonight's show at Town Hall will go ahead. However, in the event of a deterioration in weather conditions please contact the Box Office on 0121 780 3333 before beginning your journey.
Dvorák’s New...

Thu 5 Feb 2009 2:15pm Symphony Hall

*Please note today's matinee concert is going ahead.* 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 Please note today's matinee concert is going ahead
Prokofiev: Symphony No. 1 (Classical) 15’ Rachmaninov: Rhapsody on a theme of Paganini 25’ Dvorák: Symphony No. 9 (From the New World) 40’