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National Festival Of Music For Youth
More Info Book TicketsSat 11 Jul 10:30am Symphony Hall
Open air and indoors, the National Festival has become one of the major highlights in the music education calendar. Bringing a national focus for the creativity, capability and talent of the youth of today, Music For Youth takes over the city of Birmingham for this seven-day celebration of youth music. Featuring 320 groups from across the UK, with 10,000 young performers taking part. Youth Orchestras from 10.30am (Symphony Hall) Jazz from 10.30am (Birmingham Conservetoire) Programme subject to change visit the "Music For Youth":http://www.mfy.org.uk website for up to date information.
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Russian Romantics
More Info Book TicketsWed 7 Oct 7:30pm Symphony Hall
Three sumptuous Russian works performed by an orchestra which has this music firmly implanted in its DNA. Tchaikovsky’s unforgettable ballet music complements his First Piano Concerto, which opens with one of the world’s best-known melodies, whilst Rachmaninov’s Third Symphony is suffused with glowing autumnal colours and nostalgic passion. Classic FM’s Anne-Marie Minhall, says of tonight’s recommended concert: _“Two giants of Russian Romanticism dominate proceedings tonight, neither afraid to wear their hearts on their sleeves. Tchaikovsky’s First Piano Concerto still packs out concert halls around the world.”_
*St Petersburg Symphony Orchestra* *Alexander Dmitriev* _conductor_ *Barry Douglas* _piano_
*Tchaikovsky* Excerpts from _Sleeping Beauty_ *Tchaikovsky* Piano Concerto No 1 *Rachmaninov* Symphony No 3
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Gergiev, Mariinsky and the CBSO
More Info Book TicketsWed 14 Oct 7:30pm Symphony Hall
Two great orchestras and choruses come together for a once-in-a lifetime event when East meets West under conductor Valery Gergiev - memorably described as “so highly charged that you could probably run the National Grid from a cable attached to his baton” (The Times). Berlioz’s Requiem is one of the most gigantic works in the repertoire, with four extra brass bands; and Prokofiev’s Cantata includes an accordion ensemble, alarm bells, cannon-shots, sirens and a speaker with megaphone who is the voice of Lenin. BBC Music magazine’s Editor Oliver Condy explains why he has recommended tonight’s concert: _“Concert-goers who spy Russian conductor Valery Gergiev on the programme need never hesitate, particularly if repertoire like this is involved! This concert is sure to be the ultimate roof-raiser.”_
*Orchestra and Chorus of the Mariinsky Theatre* *City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra and Chorus* *Valery Gergiev* _conductor_ *Sergei Semishkur* _tenor_
*Prokofiev* Cantata for the 20th Anniversary of the October Revolution *Berlioz* _Grande messe des morts_ (Requiem)
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Gergiev, Mariinsky and the CBSO
More Info Book TicketsThu 15 Oct 7:30pm Symphony Hall
Two great orchestras and choruses come together for a once-in-a lifetime event when East meets West under conductor Valery Gergiev - memorably described as “so highly charged that you could probably run the National Grid from a cable attached to his baton” (The Times). Berlioz’s Requiem is one of the most gigantic works in the repertoire, with four extra brass bands; and Prokofiev’s Cantata includes an accordion ensemble, alarm bells, cannon-shots, sirens and a speaker with megaphone who is the voice of Lenin. BBC Music magazine’s Editor Oliver Condy explains why he has recommended tonight’s concert: _“Concert-goers who spy Russian conductor Valery Gergiev on the programme need never hesitate, particularly if repertoire like this is involved! This concert is sure to be the ultimate roof-raiser.”_
*Orchestra and Chorus of the Mariinsky Theatre* *City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra and Chorus* *Valery Gergiev* _conductor_ *Sergei Semishkur* _tenor_
*Prokofiev* Cantata for the 20th Anniversary of the October Revolution *Berlioz* _Grande messe des morts_ (Requiem)
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Tchaikovsky and Dvorák
More Info Book TicketsThu 29 Oct 7:30pm Symphony Hall
Style and authenticity just ooze from the Czech Philharmonic Orchestra. Dvořák himself conducted this orchestra’s first concert and the highlight of tonight’s programme is his grandly tragic Seventh Symphony. Superstar of the violin, Nicola Benedetti, is a regular visitor to Symphony Hall and joins the orchestra in Tchaikovsky’s heart-warming Violin Concerto.
*Czech Philharmonic Orchestra* *Jakub Hrusa* _conductor_ *Nicola Benedetti* _violin_
*Janáček* _Taras Bulba_ *Tchaikovsky* Violin Concerto *Dvořák* Symphony No 7
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CBSO The Planets
More Info Book TicketsTue 10 Nov 7:30pm Symphony Hall
Midland composers have always aimed high. Worcestershire lad Edward Elgar dreamed of making it big in the capital, and it shows: his Cockaigne overture positively glitters with the pageantry and bustle of Edwardian London. Gustav Holst, meanwhile, headed for the stars! His Planets suite isn’t just famous for great tunes like Jupiter and Mars; it’s a tremendous musical odyssey towards the infinite, written for a super-size orchestra and filled with sounds of jaw-dropping strangeness and beauty. Amidst all this grandeur, Grieg’s ever-popular Piano Concerto offers gentler charms - but with Leon McCawley at the keyboard, it will be every bit as spectacular.
*City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra* *John Wilson* _conductor_ *Leon McCawley* _piano_ *City of Birmingham Symphony Youth Chorus (Seniors)*
*Elgar* _Cockaigne_ 15' *Grieg* Piano Concerto 30' *Holst* _The Planets_ 48'
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CBSO The Planets - Matinee
More Info Book TicketsThu 12 Nov 2:15pm Symphony Hall
Midland composers have always aimed high. Worcestershire lad Edward Elgar dreamed of making it big in the capital, and it shows: his Cockaigne overture positively glitters with the pageantry and bustle of Edwardian London. Gustav Holst, meanwhile, headed for the stars! His Planets suite isn’t just famous for great tunes like Jupiter and Mars; it’s a tremendous musical odyssey towards the infinite, written for a super-size orchestra and filled with sounds of jaw-dropping strangeness and beauty. Amidst all this grandeur, Grieg’s ever-popular Piano Concerto offers gentler charms - but with Leon McCawley at the keyboard, it will be every bit as spectacular.
*City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra* *John Wilson* _conductor_ *Leon McCawley* _piano_ *City of Birmingham Symphony Youth Chorus (Seniors)*
*Elgar* _Cockaigne_ 15' *Grieg* Piano Concerto 30' *Holst* _The Planets_ 48'
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CBSO Family Concert: Heroes and Villains - Matinee
More Info Book TicketsSun 15 Nov 3:00pm Symphony Hall
Fly like a super-hero to Symphony Hall, as the battle between good and evil begins. From dashing princes and beautiful maidens in distress, to action heroes such as _Indiana Jones_ and _The Incredibles_, _Doctor Who_ and _Harry Potter_, our man-of-steel Alasdair Malloy will be fighting evil with the CBSO’s musical super-powers. With notes whizzing past faster than a speeding bullet in _The Ride of the Valkyries_, _The Dance of the Knights_ and more, join us to save the day, as we head up, up and away!
*City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra* *Matthew Coorey* _conductor_ *Alasdair Malloy* _presenter_
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CBSO Biss plays Mozart
More Info Book TicketsWed 16 Dec 7:30pm Symphony Hall
This young American pianist has already built a formidable reputation for his accounts of classical and early romantic music; here he plays what Brendel calls _‘one of the greatest wonders of the world’_, a miraculous product of the 21-year old Mozart. Sibelius’s sweeping, passionate symphony has long been a Birmingham favourite, and Spano also introduces a work by one of the finest of the current amazing generation of Finnish composers.
*City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra* *Robert Spano* _conductor_ *Jonathan Biss* _piano_
*Tiensuu* _False Memories_ (UK premiere) 16’ *Mozart* Piano Concerto No 9, K.271 31’ *Sibelius* Symphony No 2 42’
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CBSO An Alpine Symphony
More Info Book TicketsThu 28 Jan 2010 7:30pm Symphony Hall
Richard Strauss once boasted that he could depict a knife and fork in music - so when he sets out to paint the Alps themselves, you’d expect the results to be spectacular! His _Alpine Symphony_ is a vast, sun-drenched musical panorama - with everything from a trickling mountain stream to a mighty glacier, painted in music of dazzling colour and breathtaking power. Hear why Andris Nelsons has such a passion for this extraordinary score. Mozart was Strauss’s favourite composer, so his spirited 33rd Symphony and 24th Piano Concerto make the perfect musical _hors d’oeuvre_.
*City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra* *Andris Nelsons* _conductor_ *Martin Helmchen* _piano_
*Mozart* Symphony No 33 19' *Mozart* Piano Concerto No 24, K491 31' *Strauss* An Alpine Symphony 51'
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CBSO An Alpine Symphony
More Info Book TicketsTue 2 Feb 2010 7:30pm Symphony Hall
Richard Strauss once boasted that he could depict a knife and fork in music - so when he sets out to paint the Alps themselves, you’d expect the results to be spectacular! His _Alpine Symphony_ is a vast, sun-drenched musical panorama - with everything from a trickling mountain stream to a mighty glacier, painted in music of dazzling colour and breathtaking power. Hear why Andris Nelsons has such a passion for this extraordinary score. Mozart was Strauss’s favourite composer, so his spirited 33rd Symphony and 24th Piano Concerto make the perfect musical _hors d’oeuvre_.
*City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra* *Andris Nelsons* _conductor_ *Martin Helmchen* _piano_
*Mozart* Symphony No 33 19' *Mozart* Piano Concerto No 24, K491 31' *Strauss* An Alpine Symphony 51'
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CBSO Youth Orchestra
More Info Book TicketsSun 21 Feb 2010 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. And 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’
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CBSO Chopin 200 - Matinee
More Info Book TicketsThu 25 Feb 2010 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’
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CBSO Schools Concert: The Firebird
More InfoThu 15 Apr 2010 11:30am Symphony Hall
Stravinsky’s music transports you to a world of glittering colours, enchanted melodies and nightmarish, bloodcurdling thrills. Discover the orchestra from the inside out with one of the best-loved pieces of music in the classical repertoire, which shows off the full symphony orchestra in all its brilliance and splendour. The ballet score is based on a Russian folk tale telling the story of Prince Ivan who enters the garden of the evil Kastchei and rescues 13 princesses with the help of the magical firebird. 11.30am performance: specially devised for Key Stage 2 (Years 5 & 6); 1.30pm performance: for Key Stages 3 & 4. *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 6546). *proof of eligibility, eg registration with your Local Authority, required
*City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra* *Michael Seal* _conductor_ *Tommy Pearson* _presenter_
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CBSO Schools Concert: The Firebird
More InfoThu 15 Apr 2010 1:30pm Symphony Hall
Stravinsky’s music transports you to a world of glittering colours, enchanted melodies and nightmarish, bloodcurdling thrills. Discover the orchestra from the inside out with one of the best-loved pieces of music in the classical repertoire, which shows off the full symphony orchestra in all its brilliance and splendour. The ballet score is based on a Russian folk tale telling the story of Prince Ivan who enters the garden of the evil Kastchei and rescues 13 princesses with the help of the magical firebird. 11.30am performance: specially devised for Key Stage 2 (Years 5 & 6); 1.30pm performance: for Key Stages 3 & 4. *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 6546). *proof of eligibility, eg registration with your Local Authority, required
*City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra* *Michael Seal* _conductor_ *Tommy Pearson* _presenter_
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CBSO Tuned In: Shostakovich Symphony No 4
More Info Book TicketsThu 29 Apr 2010 7:30pm Symphony Hall
Shostakovich’s massive Fourth Symphony is a devastating portrait of the most turbulent years in 20th-century history. In this concert with a difference, broadcaster Stephen Johnson explains the many stories behind this extraordinary work, and shows how Shostakovich uses his huge orchestra to such unforgettable effect - with live illustrations from Andris Nelsons and the 110-piece CBSO! Then there’s a chance to hear the whole symphony. Whether you know and love the Fourth - or you’re new to Shostakovich - this concert will help you hear it with new ears.
*City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra* *Andris Nelsons* _conductor_ *Stephen Johnson* _presenter_
Introduction to Shostakovich’s Fourth Symphony, with live orchestral examples 45’ _interval_ *Shostakovich* Symphony No 4 60’
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CBSO Bruckner's Romantic
More Info Book TicketsWed 16 Jun 2010 7:30pm Symphony Hall
Inspired by the same idea of courtly romance as Wagner’s _Lohengrin_, Bruckner’s glorious Fourth is one of the finest of all Austrian symphonies, its evocative horncalls and soaring melodies perfectly suited to Symphony Hall’s cathedral-like acoustics. Henri Dutilleux also summons up ‘a whole distant world’ in his much-played cello concerto, composed for the great Rostropovich and played tonight by one of his greatest successors. It’s a gloriously vivid programme for the CBSO debut of Solihull-born conductor Jonathan Nott, who has established an enviable international reputation both in new music and in the Austro-German classics. Visit the "CBSO website":http:www.cbso.co.uk
*City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra* *Jonathon Nott* _conductor_ *Truls Mørk* _cello_
*Dutilleux* _Tout un monde lointain..._ 24' *Bruckner* Symphony No 4 (Romantic) 64'
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CBSO Beethoven's Pastoral
More Info Book TicketsThu 24 Jun 2010 7:30pm Symphony Hall
It’s summer - so it must be Beethoven’s _Pastoral_ Symphony. From its dewy-fresh opening to the serene _Shepherd’s Hymn_ with which it closes, no composer has ever captured the healing power of nature more timelessly. Two centuries on, it’s still a candidate for the most relaxing piece of music ever written. Guest conductor Ludovic Morlot brings a uniquely Gallic lightness of touch to Beethoven’s inspiration - and plenty of colour for Bartók’s folk-flavoured miniatures. They’ll stand him in good stead for the amazing sound-world of Ligeti’s Violin Concerto. French virtuoso Renaud Capuçon brings all his skill to bear on the ravishing colours, child-like humour and crackling energy of this true modern classic. Pre-concert talk, 6.15pm: *Ligeti's Violin Concerto* Writer and Broadcaster Anthony Burton on this 20th century masterpiece.
*City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra* *Ludovic Morlot* _conductor_ *Renaud Capuçon* _violin_
*Bartók* Two Pictures 17' *Ligeti* Violin Concerto 28' *Beethoven* Symphony No 6 (_Pastoral_) 40'
