What's On — SymphonyHall events

• Glenn Miller Orchestra  

  Fri 2 Jan 2009 Symphony Hall

  _Swing In The New Year_ Have yourself a classic forties celebration as Ray McVay directs the UK’s greatest Big Band in a nostalgic journey through Glenn Miller’s legendary hits and wartime chart toppers.
  Jan Messeder, Colin Anthony, The Uptown Hall Gang, The Moonlight Serenaders _With very special guest International award-winning singing sensation_* Rosemary Squires* and *Lindy-hopping duo* *The Jumping Jack Jivers*
  _All your favourites_ Moonlight Serenade In The Mood Adios American Patrol Little Brown Jug Kalamazoo St. Louis Blues March The Orchestra will perform the second half of the concert in the World War II uniforms of the US Army Air Force
  

• Viennese New Year  

  Sat 3 Jan 2009 Symphony Hall

  Tap your toes into 2009 with the CBSO’s traditional Viennese concerts. With jubilant works by Mozart, and much-loved waltzes, polkas and arias by members of the Strauss family, let the CBSO whisk you off your feet to a world of dashing dancers and swirling ballgowns.
  Carlos Kalmar - conductor Mary Hegarty - soprano City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra
  Mozart: La Clemenza di Tito - Overture Strauss: Acceleration Waltz Mozart: Exsultate Jubilate Strauss: Dragonfly Polka Strauss: Furioso Polka Suppé: Poet and Peasant Mozart: Idomeneo - Ballet Music Strauss: Village Swallows from Austria Strauss: Im Krapfenwaldl Strauss: Plappermäulchen! Strauss: Spial ich die Unschuld vom Lande (Fledermaus) Strauss: "Draussen in Sievering" (Die Tanzering Fanny Essler) Strauss: Anvil Polka Strauss: Blue Danube Waltz
  

• Viennese New Year  

  Sat 3 Jan 2009 Symphony Hall

  Tap your toes into 2009 with the CBSO’s traditional Viennese concerts. With jubilant works by Mozart, and much-loved waltzes, polkas and arias by members of the Strauss family, let the CBSO whisk you off your feet to a world of dashing dancers and swirling ballgowns.
  *City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra* *Mary Hegarty* soprano *Carlos Kalmar* conductor
  *Mozart*: La Clemenza di Tito - Overture *Strauss* Acceleration Waltz *Mozart* Exsultate Jubilate *Strauss* Dragonfly Polka *Strauss* Furioso Polka *Suppé* Poet and Peasant *Mozart* Idomeneo - Ballet Music *Strauss* Village Swallows from Austria *Strauss* Im Krapfenwaldl *Strauss* Plappermäulchen! *Strauss* _Spiel ich die Unschuld vom Lande_ (Fledermaus) *Strauss* _Draussen in Sievering_ (Die Tanzerin Fanny Elssler) Strauss: Anvil Polka Strauss: Blue Danube Waltz
  

• The Sleeping Beauty Irina Kolesnikova with St Petersburg Ballet Theatre 

  Sun 4 Jan 2009 Symphony Hall

  Irina Kolesnikova stars as Princess Aurora as this classic tale is brought to life on Symphony Hall stage. The cast of gifted young dancers hail from St Petersburg, the city where Tchaikovsky first presented this work to the public. The ballet contains the glorious _Rose Adagio_, and _Grand Pas de deux classique_, Tchaikovsky himself called his masterpiece ‘a dancing symphony’. “_Irina Kolesnikova embodies the role of Aurora almost perfectly_” *The Irish Times* £18, £25, £30, £35, £40
  
  
  

• Swan Lake Irina Kolesnikova with St Petersburg Ballet Theatre 

  Mon 5 Jan 2009 Symphony Hall

  The extraordinarily talented Irina Kolesnikova dances the dual role of Odette-Odile in the spellbinding story of the swan-princess. Both lyrical and dramatic, Swan Lake set to Tchaikovsky’s luscious score combines with consummate choreography to create an enthralling evening of classical ballet. £18, £25, £30, £35, £40
  
  
  

• National Youth Orchestra of Great Britain  

  Tue 6 Jan 2009 Symphony Hall

  There is nothing quite like the excitement of an orchestra of young musicians - many of these talented young performers are having their first encounters with great orchestral music, experiencing it onstage at Symphony Hall with a freshness and passion never to be recaptured. They start 2009 with an epic journey across Alpine landscapes with wonderful European conductor Semyon Bychkov, renowned for subtle and revelatory performances of Strauss. Discover Berio’s glorious vocal and orchestral collage, which pays tribute to many composers from Mahler to Bach and exuberantly captures the spirit of the 1960s when it was composed. Tickets £5-£37.50 *SPECIAL OFFER: YOUNG PEOPLE SEE THE NYO FOR A FIVER* £5 tickets available for under 25s. Proof of ID be will required on the night.Call THSH Box Office on 0121 780 333 and quote 'NYO for a fiver'. Offer subject to availability. Limit of 4 tickets per booker.
  *Semyon Bychkov* conductor *London Voices*
  *Berio* Sinfonia 27' *Strauss* An Alpine Symphony 47'
  

• Celebrating Nielsen: The Inextinguishable  

  Wed 7 Jan 2009 Symphony Hall

  After last season’s acclaimed cycle of Sibelius symphonies, this season we feature the equally impressive cycle by his exact contemporary Carl Nielsen. His varied output holds the same central place in Danish music as Sibelius does in Finland, and his six symphonies are full of struggle, reflection and strong emotion - just like real life. Principal guest conductor Sakari Oramo begins this series with a charming picture-postcard overture and the composer’s best-known work. Written at the height of the First World War, this symphony is a volcanic musical struggle between the forces of destruction and the energy of life itself, culminating in one of the most uplifting - and thrilling - endings in all music. 6.15pm Pre-concert talk - Nielsen: The Inextinguishable An introduction to the CBSO and the Hallé’s joint Nielsen Cycle and tonight’s concert.
  Sakari Oramo - conductor Nikolai Lugansky - piano City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra
  Nielsen: A Fantasy Trip to the Faroes 12’ Rachmaninov: Piano Concerto No. 2 32’ Nielsen: Symphony No. 4 (The Inextinguishable) 36’
  

• Celebrating Nielsen: The Four Temperaments  

  Sat 10 Jan 2009 Symphony Hall

  For Nielsen, music was all about exploring what it means to be human. And this second concert in the CBSO and the Hallé’s joint Nielsen Symphony Cycle does exactly that. Nielsen’s extraordinary Second Symphony, “The Four Temperaments”, is a musical attempt to paint an entire personality in wonderfully colourful music; his deceptively tuneful Sixth is a musical self-portrait as haunting and unforgettable as anything by Mahler. To these masterpieces Oramo adds Nielsen’s picturesque tribute to the sun, and Prokofiev’s equally warm-hearted violin concerto played by an outstanding soloist. 5.45pm Pre-concert talk - Nielsen: The Four Temperaments Find out more about tonight’s symphonies and overture by this great Dane.
  Sakari Oramo - conductor Akiko Suwanai - violin City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra
  Nielsen: Helios Overture 12’ Nielsen: Symphony No. 6 (Semplice) 31’ Prokofiev: Violin Concerto No. 1 22’ Nielsen: Symphony No. 2 (The Four Temperaments) 35’
  

• Lunchtime Organ Concert - Thomas Trotter  

  Mon 12 Jan 2009 Symphony Hall

  More details to follow
  *Thomas Trotter* organ
  *Boëllmann* Suite Gothique *C.P.E.Bach* Sonata in G minor *Franck* Prélude, Fugue et Variation *Wammes* Miroir *Thomas* Overture to Mignon (arr. Evans)
  

• Anton and Erin - Cheek to Cheek  

  Fri 16 Jan 2009 Symphony Hall

  Join Anton du Beke and Erin Boag from BBC’s ‘Strictly Come Dancing’ in a glamorous celebration of Ballroom and Latin song and dance. Accompanied by world salsa champions Chris Marques and Jaclyn Spencer, Anton and Erin will combine sophistication and seduction in an exhilarating mix of dance styles from the Tango, Rumba and Cha-Cha-Cha to the ballroom elegance of the Waltz and Foxtrot. Classic hit songs such as: Fly me to the Moon, Take Five, Sing, Sing, Sing and It don’t mean a thing if it ain’t got that swing, will be mixed with music from the Golden Age of Hollywood by Irving Berlin, Cole Porter, Jerome Kern and George and Ira Gershwin. The vibrant Latin influences of Kings of Jazz Tito Puente and Perez Prado will complete this heady evening featuring the best of music, song and dance. £15, £19.50, £27.50, £31.50, £36, £39.50
  
  
  

• Anton & Erin - Cheek to Cheek No judges, just dancin’ 

  Fri 16 Jan 2009 Symphony Hall

  Join Anton du Beke and Erin Boag from BBC’s ‘Strictly Come Dancing’ in a glamorous celebration of Ballroom and Latin song and dance. Accompanied by world salsa champions Chris Marques and Jaclyn Spencer, Anton and Erin will combine sophistication and seduction in an exhilarating mix of dance styles from the Tango, Rumba and Cha-Cha-Cha to the ballroom elegance of the Waltz and Foxtrot. Classic hit songs such as: *Fly me to the Moon*, *Take Five*, *Sing, Sing, Sing* and *It don’t mean a thing if it ain’t got that swing*, will be mixed with music from the Golden Age of Hollywood by *Irving Berlin*, *Cole Porter*, *Jerome Kern* and *George* and *Ira Gershwin*. The vibrant Latin influences of Kings of Jazz *Tito Puente* and *Perez Prado* will complete this heady evening featuring the best of music, song and dance.
  London Concert Orchestra conducted by Gavin Sutherland
  
  

• Celebrating Nielsen: Pride & Power  

  Sat 17 Jan 2009 Symphony Hall

  We have invited the Hallé to give the second half of our Nielsen cycle with its music director Mark Elder. Nielsen might have written his First Symphony while he was working as a second violinist, but there’s nothing bashful about it - he even marked the score “Proudly”! It bursts with energy and freshness. His mighty Fifth Symphony is even more powerful - a gripping musical battle between order and chaos, triggered by one of the all-time great drum solos. It’s one of the greatest symphonies of the 20th century, so it’s only fitting that our guests are playing it alongside two dramatic masterpieces by Nielsen’s hero - Ludwig van Beethoven. 5.45pm Pre concert talk - Nielsen: Pride and Power An introduction to tonight’s pieces by these two musical power-houses.
  Hallé Sir Mark Elder - conductor Anja Kampe - soprano
  Beethoven: Overture, Egmont 8’ Nielsen: Symphony No. 1 27’ Beethoven: Ah, Perfido! Scene and Aria 15’ Nielsen: Symphony No. 5 35’
  

• Back to the Musicals  

  Sun 18 Jan 2009 Symphony Hall

  300 singers from around the region present a spectacular evening's entertainment from the West End and Broadway, celebrating 10 years of the very best of Sing Live UK. Featuring hits from the timeless _Les Miserables, My Fair Lady, Sweet Charity_ and _Chess_ - to the new sensational stage successes _Wicked, Hairspray, Tarzan_ and _Spamalot_ plus many more.
  *Sing Live Central* *Steven Roberts* musical director
  
  

• Grace Jones The Hurricane Tour 

  Mon 19 Jan 2009 Symphony Hall

  Musical maestro Grace Jones returns to the UK this January with the _Hurricane Tour_. _Hurricane_, the new LP co-produced by Grace herself along with Ivor Guest, has seen Ms Jones collaborate with old friends Sly and Robbie as well as the likes of Brian Eno, for her first studio album in nearly 20 years. The show will see Grace perform tracks from Hurricane, which has firmly positioned Ms Jones back on the music-scape. With jaw dropping and spine tingling hooks and rhythms, _Hurricane_ projects Grace at her most enigmatic. As with everything Grace, expect the unexpected. . . . . .
  
  
  

• Pure Gold  

  Tue 20 Jan 2009 Symphony Hall

  Unfairly derided by snootier critics as ‘more corn than gold’ on account of the composer’s successful Hollywood career, the lush music of Erich Wolfgang Korngold has won a huge audience in recent years. His 1945 violin concerto, which draws on three of his film scores, has become a particular favourite with violinists, while his music for a 1920 Vienna production of Shakespeare’s comedy also contains music of great charm and wit. Korngold’s father Julius was an important supporter of Brahms in Vienna, and his majestic First Symphony concludes a warmly romantic programme. 6.15pm Pre concert talk - Pure Gold Critic, biographer and blogger Jessica Duchen introduces the music of E.W. Korngold.
  Michael Seal - conductor Anthony Marwood - violin City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra
  Korngold: Much Ado About Nothing - Suite 15’ Korngold: Violin Concerto 23’ Brahms: Symphony No. 1 45’
  

• Mariza  

  Cancelled

  Wed 21 Jan 2009 Symphony Hall

  
  
  
  

• Friday Night Classics: The Gershwins in Hollywood  

  Fri 23 Jan 2009 Symphony Hall

  No-one wrote a hit-tune like George and Ira Gershwin. And when the brothers left Manhattan for the bright lights of Hollywood, the results were bound to be showstopping! Conductor John Wilson loves the great movie musicals of the 1930s; join him and star West End vocalists Kim Criswell and Gary Williams for an evening of pure jazz-age glamour. Featuring I Got Rhythm, ’Swonderful, The Man I Love, An American in Paris, Strike Up The Band, Let’s Call the Whole Thing Off, They All Laughed and many more, it’s just hit after hit after hit!
  John Wilson - conductor Kim Criswell - vocalist Gary Williams - vocalist City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra
  
  

• CBSO John Williams Blockbusters  

  Sat 24 Jan 2009 Symphony Hall

  *Extra date added due to popular demand.* No-one writes a big film theme like John Williams - no wonder he’s the world’s most popular living classical composer. And if you think his music is thrilling on the big screen, just wait until you hear it live at Symphony Hall! Join the CBSO for blockbuster music from Star Wars, Schindler’s List, Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone, Superman, E.T., Raiders of the Lost Ark, JFK, Munich, Saving Private Ryan, Jaws and many more! £9.50, £16, £22.50, £28, £32, £36, £39.50
  *Michael Seal - Conductor* *Tommy Pearson - Presenter*
  
  

• Black Dyke Band  

  Sun 25 Jan 2009 Symphony Hall

  Spend a delightful afternoon with one of the world's oldest and most famous brass bands as they perform a stunning programme under the baton of Nicholas Childs.
  *Nicholas Childs* Director of Music With soloists *Richard Marshall*, *Alex Kerwin*, *Brett Baker*, *Sandy Smith* and *David Thornton*.
  *Allen* Knight Templar *von Suppé* Poet and Peasant *Simon* Willow Echoes *Rodgers/Hart* The Lady Is a Tramp *Warren* That's Amore *Loesser* Luck be a Lady *Vinter* Spectrum *Wilby* A Breathless Alleluia *Pryor* Fantastic Polka *Arr. Catherall* Evergreen *Lovatt-Cooper* Neath the Dublin Skies *Graham* Cats Tales *Saint-Saëns* Finale from _Organ_ Symphony
  

• West Midlands Federation of Music Services SingUp Celebration Concert  

  Mon 26 Jan 2009 Symphony Hall

  Following a day of workshops with primary children from across the West Midlands, children from years 5, 6, 7, and 8 come together to perform in a massed transition choir concert, with solo choral and vocal performance groups from West Midlands Music Services and schools.
  *David Lawrence* conductor
  
  

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