What's On — TownHall events

• Teddy Thompson  

  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  

  Sun 8 Feb 2009 Town Hall

  
  
  
  

• Lunchtime Organ Concert - Thomas Trotter Mendelssohn 200th Anniversary Concert  

  Mon 9 Feb 2009 Town Hall

  More details to follow
  
  
  

• Nash Ensemble  

  Tue 10 Feb 2009 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 Tickets £5-£20
  
  *Strauss* Sextet (_Capriccio_) 6’ *Mozart* Quintet in G Minor, K516 33’ *Mendelssohn* Octet 38’
  

• An Evening with Barbara Dickson  

  Sat 14 Feb 2009 Town Hall

  For over four decades, Barbara Dickson has continued to deliver songs to the public in her own incomparable fashion. As a multi-million selling recording artist with an equally impressive Olivier award-winning acting career, Barbara Dickson OBE has firmly established herself as one of the most enduring and popular entertainers in Britain today. Globally known for hits which include _Caravans_, _Another Suitcase in Another Hall_ and her chart-topping duet with Elaine Paige, _I Know Him So Well_, Barbara Dickson is also a two-time Olivier Award-winning actress with roles including Anita Braithwaite in TV's Band of Gold and the original Mrs Johnstone in Willy Russell's long-running musical Blood Brothers. Barbara Dickson now brings her sensational show to Birmingham providing audiences with a musical treat; as she performs her classic hits, as well as other material in her own inimitable style. '_The chance to hear her sing a personal choice of favourite good songs should not be missed_' *The Times* '_Barbara Dickson shows what true class is all about_' *The Stage* £22.50, £24.50
  
  
  

• Lunchtime Organ Concert - Thomas Trotter  

  Mon 16 Feb 2009 Town Hall

  More details to follow
  
  
  

• Orchestra of the Swan: Bach's Brandenburg  

  Wed 18 Feb 2009 Town Hall

  *Handel* Concerto Grosso Op 6 No 9 *Bach* Suite in B minor *Bach* Brandenburg concerto No 4 *Bach* Brandenburg concerto No 5 *Christine Whiffen* harpsichord *David Le Page* violin *Diane Clark* flute
  
  
  

• Britten Sinfonia at Lunch - Feb 2009  

  Thu 19 Feb 2009 Town Hall

  Thomas Adès’ Court Studies from his highlyacclaimed and popular opera The Tempest are set alongside the music of the young composer Richard Harrold, who studied at the Royal Academy of Music. A French theme permeates the rest of the programme with Debussy’s Cello Sonata and Fauré’s Piano Trio, a late masterpiece full of lyrical energy and exuberance, performed by the celebrated young pianist Cédric Tiberghien with members of Britten Sinfonia. ‘… the fact that it [Britten Sinfonia] fills houses almost everywhere testifies to the loyalty it has built up.’ _The Independent_
  *Jacqueline Shave* violin *Caroline Dearnley* cello *Joy Farrall* clarinet *Cédric Tiberghien* piano
  *Debussy* Sonata for Cello and Piano *Richard Harrold* New Work (world première tour) *Thomas Adès* Court Studies from The Tempest *Fauré* Piano Trio
  

• BBC Big Band - Radio Days with Clare Teal  

  Fri 20 Feb 2009 Town Hall

  The BBC Big Band recalls the golden age of radio when dance bands and big bands ruled the airwaves. Join them as they recreate the music of Ted Heath, Ambrose, Henry Hall, the BBC Northern Dance Orchestra and many, many more. £12.50, £16.50, £19.50 In association with BBC Radio 2 BBC Big Band is a Town Hall Associate Artist
  *BBC Big Band* *Barry Forgie* Conductor Presented by and featuring the vocal talents of *Clare Teal*
  
  

• Candi Staton plus guests 

  Sat 21 Feb 2009 Town Hall

  Taking on a classic like _That's How Strong My Love Is_, Candi is the equal of such earlier interpreters as O. V. Wright and Otis Redding, and when it comes to singing there really is no higher praise. Her voice manages to combine great strength and vulnerability at the same time. Even at its most desolate or empowered there's a softness to her singing that makes her stand out. Candi always sounds like she's talking to you, confiding in you. She sounds like a friend. £21
  
  
  

• Lunchtime Organ Concert - Thomas Trotter  

  Mon 23 Feb 2009 Town Hall

  More details to follow
  
  
  

• Tom Paxton  

  Tue 24 Feb 2009 Town Hall

  Tom Paxton's songs are known and loved around the world: _The Last Thing On My Mind_, _Ramblin Boy_, and _Bottle Of Wine_, just a few of his truly timeless works. His generosity to both audiences and fellow musicians is renowned, and his passion for justice and the ties that bind people together is unwavering: for all this and more, Tom Paxton ranks as one of the most revered musicians of his generation. "_I think we are all born singing Tom Paxton songs_" *Nanci Griffith* "_Tom's songs are fine songs in anyone's book_" *Uncut*
  
  
  

• This is Soul featuring Geno Washington, Jimmy James, PP Arnold & The Ram Jam Band 

  Fri 27 Feb 2009 Town Hall

  This is Soul brings together the giants of soul music in one sensational show. Geno Washington and The Ram Jam Band are 60s soul legends, famously immortalised in the Dixy’s Midnight Runners song Geno. Jimmy James, formerly of The Vagabonds, scored a hit with their cover of Red Red Wine, and he brings his own vintage style soul to this line-up. Completing this soul explosion is PP Arnold, whose soulful vocals have graced classic hits such as _Angel of the Morning_ and _First Cut is the Deepest_. £22
  
  
  

• Central England Ensemble 'Town Hall Connections' Sibelius, Downes & Dvorak 

  Sun 1 Mar 2009 Town Hall

  Central England Ensemble presents three popular composers with strong links to Birmingham Town Hall: Dvorak conducted two of his world premieres here, The Spectre’s Bride (1885) and his Requiem (1897); Sibelius directed the British premiere of his Symphony no 4 here in 1912; Andrew Downes’ connections with the hall began as a chorister (with the CBSO under Harold Gray) and a counter-tenor soloist in the 1960s/70s, continued throughout the 1970s/80s with many performances of his Fanfare for a Ceremony at the Town Hall Open University ceremonies, and are confirmed in this concert with the world premiere of his Piano Concerto.
  
  *Central England Ensemble* *Anna Downes* Leader *Duncan Honeybourne* Piano *Anthony Bradbury* Conductor *Sibelius* Finlandia *Downes* Concerto for Piano and Symphony Orchestra (world premiere performance) *Dvorak* New World Symphony
  

• Ed Byrne ‘DIFFERENT CLASS’ 

  Wed 4 Mar 2009 Town Hall

  Half toff, half pikey... All comic! Comedy favourite returns with a blisteringly funny new one man show about marriage, class, the youth of today and anything else that strikes him as humorous. It hard to say any more than that as this blurb had to be written in April when the new show was barely taking shape. He might end up doing an hour about going to the Opera for all I know. Oh, no he's done that. www.edbyrne.com “_His wit won deafening cheers and feet stomping_” The Guardian “_Dazzling_” The Sunday Times “_Jokes come so fast that hecklers don’t have a chance to get a word in edgeways_” The Times “_Hottest tip this year is Ed Byrne…fluent, assured and wicked_” The Sunday Times “_It is rare for a comic to merit the word “masterful” but in this case it is no overstatement_” The Scotsman “_His set had the audience in stitches for most of the evening - they roared their approval at the end - but he is technically excellent as well, the sure sign of a comic on the cusp of a major career. It does not come much better than this._” The Stage “_Utterly Charming_” The List “_Astoundingly polished material_” The Sunday Telegraph “_This charming man may well be threatening to give stand up a good name_” The List “_Byrne looks set to become a comic who will inspire as many swoons as guffaws_” The List “_A comedian with everything going for him, Ed Byrne has all the attributes to upgrade to the big time…see him_” The Independent “_He describes himself as a stick insect rather than a sex symbol but the high proportion of women hanging on his every witticism suggests otherwise. He may be thin and weedy but his material certainly is not._” Daily Express “_In complete rapport with his capacity audience_” The Scotsman “_A stunningly original piece of work - a comedy star_” Irish Times “_The audience went into rapture and insisted on an encore_” Time Out “_His wit won deafening cheers and feet stomping_” The Guardian
  
  
  

• Celebrity Piano Recital: Peter Donohoe  

  Thu 5 Mar 2009 Town Hall

  Peter Donohoe’s performances are a dazzling fusion of passion, virtuosity and intellectual rigour. His recital ranges from the majesty of Bach to the superhuman demands of Liszt’s B minor Sonata. Before that come magical works by Brahms reflecting the mature wisdom of the composer’s old age and the untamed ardour of his youth. *BBC music magazine’s editor, Oliver Condy, explains why he has recommended tonight’s concert:* _"The indefatigable Peter Donohoe launches into a brave programme here - Busoni’s technically astounding transcription of one of Bach’s great organ works sits next to Liszt’s greatest piece for the piano - the colossal Sonata. And as Donohoe is one of the most skilled musicians in this repertoire, the evening’s music-making should be full of plenty of memorable pyrotechnics…” "BBC Music Magazine":http://www.bbcmusicmagazine.com *6.15pm pre-concert talk* Tickets £5-£20
  
  *Brahms* Six Pieces, Op 118 20’ *Brahms* Sonata No 3 in F minor, Op 5 28’ *Bach-Busoni* Toccata, Adagio and Fugue, BWV564 15’ *Liszt* Sonata in B minor 27’
  

• Fairport Convention Winter Tour 2009 plus special guest 

  Sat 7 Mar 2009 Town Hall

  Enjoy an evening of great music with Fairport Convention, the legendary originators of British folk-rock, featuring Simon Nicol (guitar, vocal), Dave Pegg (bass, backing vocal), Chris Leslie (fiddle, mandolin, vocal), Ric Sanders (violin), and Gerry Conway (drums). Fairport Convention has attracted huge critical acclaim and has delighted audiences for over four decades, not least on its annual Winter Tours and at its world-famous music festival at Cropredy. Fairport Convention has won the coveted BBC Radio 2 Lifetime Achievement Award and Radio 2 listeners voted the groundbreaking album Liege & Lief 'The Most Influential Folk Album of All Time'. The album has since gone on to win a Gold Disk for Fairport. In 2009, Fairport Convention's greatest strength is still live performance and this concert will present an exciting mix of the old and new. Longstanding Fairport favourites such as Matty Groves will share the bill with new songs from the band's most recent albums. £21
  
  
  

• Brahms: German Requiem English Concert Singers, Chorus & Orchestra 

  Sun 8 Mar 2009 Town Hall

  To celebrate their 20th anniversary year, the 200 performers of the English Concert Singers/Chorus and Orchestra, under their founding Music Director, Dr. Roy Wales, present Brahms’ greatest choral work, A German Requiem. Vaughan Williams’ beautiful, lyrical Serenade to Music (choral version) and Mendelssohn’s colourful overture The Hebrides complete this special anniversary concert.
  *English Concert Singers* *English Concert Chorus* *English Concert Orchestra* *Roy Wales* Conductor *Helena Dix* Soprano *William Berger* Baritone
  *Mendelssohn* The Hebrides (Fingal’s Cave) *R. Vaughan Williams* Serenade to Music *Brahms* A German Requiem
  

• Lunchtime Organ Concert - Thomas Trotter with the Birmingham University Singers 

  Mon 9 Mar 2009 Town Hall

  More details to follow
  
  
  

• Britten Sinfonia at Lunch - March 2009  

  Thu 12 Mar 2009 Town Hall

  For the final concert in our lunchtime series, Britten Sinfonia draws on a programme devised by John Woolrich. Woolrich’s evocative Quiddities • written for Nicholas Daniel and Britten Sinfonia in 2005 • is set alongside a new work from one of Poland’s hottest young composers Pawel Mykietyn. Chacony is perhaps the best known of Britten’s Purcell editions, and there is also a chance to hear Schoenberg’s beautiful Verklärte Nacht at its most transparent and delicate in the original string sextet version.
  *Jacqueline Shave* violin/director *Thomas Gould* violin *Martin Outram* viola *Clare Finnimore* viola *Caroline Dearnley* cello *Ben Chappell* cello *Nicholas Daniel* oboe/cor anglais
  *Purcell ed. Britten* Chacony in G minor *Paweł Mykietyn* New Work (world première tour) *John Woolrich* Quiddities *Schoenberg* Verklärte Nacht
  

Book Tickets

Choose an event below
or phone 0121 780 3333

View Pick-A-Seat tutorial video

Get Connected

receive listings updates

• Brahms
• Britten
• BrittenSinfonia
• classical
• jazz
• Lunchtime
• Mendelssohn
• orchestra
• RockAndPop
• TownHall
• WorldMusic&Folk