What's On — TownHall events

BBC Radio 3 Lunchtime Concert
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Tue 13 Jan 2009 Town Hall

Two of the finest of Radio 3's recent crop of new Generation Artists perform delightful works by Beethoven.

*Alina Ibragimova* Violin *Cedric Tiberghien* Piano *Beethoven* Rondo for Violin & Piano in G major, WoO.41 *Beethoven* Sonata No.4 for Violin & Piano in A minor, Op.23
Handel’s Jephtha
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Thu 15 Jan 2009 Town Hall

250 years since Handel’s death, we return to the hall where so many of his works have been heard, not least as the cornerstone of the Birmingham Triennial Festivals. Jephtha, his last oratorio, is one of his very finest works in English, and tells the story of the great military captain who finds himself in conflict with God’s law as a result of a rash promise. Featuring a host of glorious arias and dramatic choruses, and with a leading cast conducted by Handel specialist Nicholas McGegan, this is a must for Handel fans. There will be one interval after Act One. 6.15pm Pre-concert talk - Handel’s Jephtha Conductor Nicholas McGegan - in conversation with CBSO Events Officer Richard Bratby.
*City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra* *City of Birmingham Symphony Chorus* *Nicholas McGegan* conductor *Paul Nilon* Jephtha *Dominique Labelle* Iphis *Diana Moore* Storge *Daniel Taylor* Hamor *Andrew Foster-Williams* Zebul
*Handel* Jephtha 150’
Mark Watson All the Thoughts I Have had Since I was Born
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Fri 16 Jan 2009 Town Hall

Last year, Mark Watson won best show at the Adelaide and Sydney Comedy Festivals, completed a 100-date tour of the UK, Australia and New Zealand, recorded the second series of his cult Radio 4 show Mark Watson Makes The World Substantially Better, trained as a climate change lecturer under Al Gore, performed another 24-hour show, wrote his third book and continued his regular appearances on the likes of BBC2's Mock The Week. He is now one of Britain’s most-discussed comedians, but also very tired and stressed. He returns to the road with a brand-new show where he describes his attempts to reclaim his sanity. www.markwatsonthecomedian.com
New English Orchestra and Singers Introduce RECREATIO!
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Sat 17 Jan 2009 Town Hall

A kaleidoscope of music to refresh and inspire from an ensemble which specializes in spiritual music This multi-faceted presentation includes music and dance from Africa, Latin America, Israel and Russia plus Scottish Fiddle Music, whilst also featuring the following classics: African: spiritual music from Uganda including In Tongues of Living Flame and Alleluia! Jesus is alive today! Cuban: Boliviana by Chucho Valdes Israeli: Great and Wonderful by Stuart Dauerman Russian: O Praise the name of the Lord from Vespers by Rachmaninoff

*Monteverdi* ‘Laetatus Sum’ *Vivaldi* Concerto for Two Trumpets *Vivaldi* Concerto for Bassoon and Strings *Bach* Wachet Auf
Sunday Morning Coffee Concert - Quintette Aquilon ECHO Rising Stars series
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Sun 18 Jan 2009 Town Hall

Here is some musical Parisian chic for a Sunday morning, courtesy of these Stars nominated by Paris's Cité de la Musique. A varied programme of attractive music for wind quintet embraces France's Jean Françaix and England's Gustav Holst, with extra novelties by Ligeti and Zemlinsky thrown in. £7.50, under 16s £3.50

*Françaix* Quintette Op 5 No 1 *Holst* Quintet 14
The American Choral Experience: VocalEssence Ensemble Singers
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Sun 18 Jan 2009 Town Hall

Heralded by the Times as _“a superb American choir; polished, bright and brilliantly balanced”_, the 32-voice professional VocalEessence Ensemble Singers are recognised internationally by their extensive European tours and broadcasts, and two invitation-only appearances at the World Choral Symposium. Artistic Director Philip Brunelle conducts the quintessentially American programme of traditional folksongs and masterpieces by Copland, Whitacre, Paulus, Bernstein, and others. £10, unreserved seating
*VocalEssence Ensemble Singers* *Philip Brunelle* conductor *Sigrid Johnson* associate conductor *Charles Kemper* accompanist
Lunchtime Organ Concert - Monday 19 January
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Mon 19 Jan 2009 Town Hall

Director of music at Glen Almonds College puts the historic Town Hall organ through its paces in a colourful programme that shows off the instrument.
*Robert Gower* organ
Programme details to be confirmed
Evening Organ Concert - David Sanger
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Wed 21 Jan 2009 Town Hall

David Sanger is one of the world's most accomplished and well-respected organists, renowed for the sheer musicality of his playing. His programme features great works by composers who were themselves masters of the instrument - not least Mendelssohn's Andante in D, aptly chosen to coincide with 2009's bicentenary clebrations. Also included are Schumann's delightful Four Sketches (0p 58), originally written for pedal-piano. *6.15pm Pre-concert talk with Greame Kay*

*J.S. Bach* Toccata, Adagio & Fugue *Mendelssohn* Andante in D, with Variations *Franck* Grande Pièce Symphonique *Bingham* Roulade *Schumann* Four Stetches for Pedal-Piano *Vierne* Tempo di Scherzo, Largetto & Final (From Symphony No 5 in A minor)
Organ Concert - David Sanger
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Wed 21 Jan 2009 Town Hall

David Sanger is one of the world’s most accomplished and well-respected organists, renowned for the sheer musicality of his playing. His programme features great works by composers who were themselves masters of the instrument • not least Mendelssohn’s Andante in D, aptly chosen to coincide with 2009’s bicentenary celebrations. Also included are Schumann’s delightful Four Sketches, originally written for pedal-piano. *6.15pm Pre-concert talk with Graeme Kay*
*David Sanger* organ
*J.S. Bach* Toccata, Adagio & Fugue *Mendelssohn* Andante in D, with Variations *Franck* Grande Pièce Symphonique *Bingham* Roulade *Schumann* Four Sketches for Pedal-Piano *Vierne* Tempo di Scherzo, Larghetto & Final (from Symphony No 5 in A minor)
Britten Sinfonia at Lunch - Jan 2009
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Thu 22 Jan Town Hall

A concert focussing on Oliver Knussen, featuring his poignant and touching Songs without Voices, alongside a new work by Ryan Wigglesworth who has been greatly influenced by Knussen. The programme ends with Schoenberg’s witty and riotous arrangement of Strauss’s Emperor Waltz. _“To me, real music is real music when you’re not sitting around thinking it’s music - it actually takes you over.”_ *Knussen*
*Ryan Wigglesworth* conductor *Jacqueline Shave* violin/director
*Oliver Knussen* Songs without Voices 11’ *Britten* Phantasy Quartet 15’ *Ryan Wigglesworth* New Work 10’ (world première tour) *Johann Strauss* Emperor Waltz 12’ arr. Schoenberg
Faith in the City Expressions of belief
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Sat 24 Jan 2009 Town Hall

For around 750 years in Iberia, Catholics, Jews and Muslims enjoyed religious freedom, spoke each others’ languages and shared philosophies, science and cultures. It is a period known as _la convivencia_ - the co-existence. We begin to explore this concept with Bernstein’s overtly Jewish Chichester Psalms which are sung in Hebrew, the devout setting of the Mass by MacMillan and Islamic repertoire performed by Abdul Salam Kheir. _“All the lands, in their diversity, are one, and men are all neighbours and brothers”_ (Al-Zubaidi, tutor of the Andalusian Caliph, Al-Hakam II, 10th century) Visit Ex Cathedra's website by clicking "here":http://www.ex-cathedra.org/
*Ex Cathedra Choir* *Conductor* Jeffrey Skidmore *Oud & Vocals* Abdul Salam Kheir *Chichester Psalms* Bernstein *Mass* MacMillan
Holocaust Memorial Day
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Sun 25 Jan 2009 Town Hall

Holocaust Memorial Day is the international day of remembrance as designated by the United Nations. It commemorates victims of the World War II Holocaust as well as other worldwide genocides. The aim is to help prevent future atrocities by educating people as to the reasons behind such events, and this year it is inspired by the Holocaust Memorial Trust’s theme for 2009 - stand up to hatred. During the ceremony candles of remembrance will be lit, along with speeches, music, poetry readings and a short film showing. The full programme can be viewed on the website, shown below. Tel: 0121 303 3008 or visit www.birmingham.gov.uk/holocaust-memorial Holocaust Memorial Day is organised by Birmingham City Council in conjunction with community organisations.
Lunchtime Organ Concert - Thomas Trotter
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Mon 26 Jan 2009 Town Hall

*Thomas Trotter* organ
*Franck* Choral No 3 in A minor *Ireland* Miniature Suite *J S Bach* Prelude & Fugue in A minor (BWV 543) *Holloway* Allegro Vivo (from Symphony in E minor) *Mulet* Vitrail, Rosace & Tu es Petra
Richard Thompson: 1000 Years of Popular Music
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Thu 29 Jan 2009 Town Hall

Displaying his trademark humour and uncanny genius, Richard Thompson takes you on a personal journey through his list of the greatest songs of the Millennium. From the ballads of the early middle ages, to more modern songs originally made known by such artists as Nat King Cole, Nelly Furtado, Gilbert & Sullivan and The Who, "_this as much a journey through Thompson's virtuosity as through a millennium of song._" The Guardian £20, £25
with *Judith Owen* (vocals, piano) and *Debra Dobkin* (percussion, vocals)
Shared - Presented by The Wonder Stuff's Miles Hunt
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Fri 30 Jan 2009 Town Hall

The Wonder Stuff’s Miles Hunt presents ‘Shared’, an evening of acoustic performances by some of the UK’s finest artists. Miles Hunt & Erica Nockalls of The Wonder Stuff, Nick Heyward formerly of Haircut 100, Wayne Hussey of The Mission/Sisters Of Mercy, Roddy Frame of Aztec Camera, Katell Keineg plus more... “Stripping back a great song can easily pull punches on a grander production. Every artist performing at ‘Shared’ has had a great affect on me, not only as a writer/performer myself, but also as a fan and I take it as an honour that they have accepted my invite.” Miles Hunt £19.50
Juan Martin Flamenco Ensemble
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Thu 5 Feb 2009 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. £10, £15, £20
Tea Dance
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Fri 6 Feb 2009 Town Hall

Enjoy a wonderfull dance in the glorious surroundings of Town Hall with live music from Garry Allcock and his All-Stars Band. £7.50
Social Ballroom Dance Door open at 7:30pm and dancing from 8-11pm
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Fri 6 Feb 2009 Town Hall

The very best of social dancing in the elegant setting of Town Hall. Live music provided by Garry Allcock and his All-Stars Band. £15 unreserved
Garry Allcock and his All-Stars Band
Teddy Thompson with special guest Tift Merritt
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Sat 7 Feb 2009 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
Sunday Morning Coffee Concert - Minetti Quartett ECHO Rising Stars series
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Sun 8 Feb 2009 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