What's On — Orchestra events

Uchida Plays Mozart

Sun 23 Nov Symphony Hall

Few pianists today command the respect and awe accorded to Mitsuko Uchida. “One of today’s great pianists,” wrote The Times, while The Independent summed her up as simply “sublime”. In this concert she directs two of Mozart’s greatest concertos from the keyboard-the serenity and poise of the A major Concerto contrasting with the tragedy of the C minor. Uchida’s lucid Mozart playing is ideally suited to the perfect acoustic of Symphony Hall, uniting performer and audience in an experience of crystal-clear intensity. *Classic FM’s Anne-Marie Minhall says of tonight’s recommended concert:* _Tonight the pianist Mitsuko Uchida joins forces with the orchestra formed in in 1981 and made up of fifty players from fifteen countries-The Chamber Orchestra of Europe. A chance for you to enjoy two of Mozart’s Piano Concertos written at the same time, but in very distinct moods. Mitsuko Uchida gained her international reputation by playing and recording the music of Mozart-there’s nothing she doesn’t know about the composer’s best-loved works for keyboard._ "Classic FM":http://www.classicfm.co.uk Tickets £5-£37.50
*Chamber Orchestra of Europe* *Mitsuko Uchida* piano/director *Alexander Janiczek* director
*Stravinsky* Apollon Musagète 30’ *Mozart* Piano Concerto No 23 in A Major, K488 24’ *Mozart* Piano Concerto No 24 in C minor, K491 30’
Orchestra of the Swan: Mozart V Salieri

Sun 30 Nov Town Hall

Despite a lack of evidence, the legend that Salieri poisoned Mozart out of jealousy has been fixed in people's minds by the film Amadeus. The older composer could certainly spin a good tune, but judge for yourselves whether he comes anywhere near the genius of two of Mozart's most delightful. 1.30pm free pre-concert talk Post-concert Conversation Club in the Circle Bar 15 mins after the end of the performance. "It's just how music should be." Birmingham Post £8.50, £12.50, £16.50, £19.50 Choir benches £6.50 60 plus £7.50, £11.50, £15, £17.50 Orchestra of the Swan is a Town Hall Associate Artist.
*Orchestra of the Swan* *David Curtis* Conductor *Diane Clark* Flute *Helen Cole* Harp
Ultimate Romantics 1: Mahler and Wagner

Wed 10 Dec Symphony Hall

In two concerts this winter, some of the most extravagant and passionate music of the late romantic era comes to Symphony Hall. The second act of Wagner’s Tristan contains one of music’s greatest love scenes. The adagio from mahler’s unfinished tenth Symphony is similarly in love with life, but it is the heartfelt last testament of a man about to be torn from the world. Few young conductors have received the plaudits that have been awarded to Vladimir Jurowski, new Principal Conductor of the London Philharmonic Orchestra and music Director of Glyndebourne Opera, who conducts the first concert in this series. 6.15pm pre-concert talk Tickets £5-£37.50
*London Philharmonic Orchestra* *Vladimir Jurowski* conductor *Anja Kampe* Isolde *Robert Dean Smith* Tristan *Sarah Connolly* Brangaene *Laszlo Polgar* Marke *Stephen Gadd* Melot/Kurnewal
*Mahler* Adagio from Symphony No 10 22’ *Wagner* Act II from Tristan and Isolde 75’
A London Symphony

Wed 17 Dec Symphony Hall

For our final tribute to Vaughan Williams in this 50th anniversary year of his death, we are joined by one of his leading interpreters for a rare hearing of the original 1913 version of his ‘London’ Symphony. This extraordinary work was subsequently dedicated to his friend George Butterworth, who unlike Vaughan Wiliams never returned from the trenches of World War I - as a result we only have a few pieces, of which tonight’s is the best known, to remember him by. The dazzling 1920s concerto by Vaughan Williams’ teacher Ravel completes the programme. 6.15pm Pre-concert talk - “A Symphony by a Londoner” English music specialist Michael Foster explores the genesis of Vaughan Williams’ colourful symphony.
Richard Hickox - conductor Kirill Gerstein - piano City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra
Butterworth: Banks of Green Willow 6’ Ravel: Piano Concerto in G major 21’ Vaughan Williams: A London Symphony (original version) 61’
Rattle Conducts Schumann

Fri 19 Dec Symphony Hall

Earlier this year, Sir Simon Rattle picked music by Schumann as one of his eight choices on Desert Island Discs. Now he turns his attention to two of the composer’s most popular works: the fresh and vibrant _Spring Symphony_ and the _Rhenish Symphony_ - a joyous celebration of the Rhineland, the awe-inspiring gothic architecture of Cologne Cathedral and, of course, the river itself. *Classic FM’s Anne-Marie Minhall says of tonight’s recommended concert:* _Fresh from his role as one of the Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra’s Artists Laureate 2008 for the European Capital of Culture, Sir Simon Rattle returns to his former stomping ground here in Birmingham. This evening he’ll be conducting the OAE, an orchestra he’s been closely associated with for many years now. Rattle is one of just six conductors who’ve been key in the development of this self-governing orchestra established more than twenty years ago. It was he who took the OAE to Glyndebourne for the first time in 1989 with Mozart’s The Marriage of Figaro; the orchestra is now a regular visitor to the East Sussex festival._ "Classic FM":http://www.classicfm.co.uk Tickets £5-£45
*Orchestra of the Age of Enlightenment* *Sir Simon Rattle* conductor
*Berlioz* King Lear overture 15’ *Schumann* Symphony No 1, Spring 32’ *Schumann* Symphony No 3, Rhenish 33’
Blockbusters! Music from the Movies

Mon 29 Dec Symphony Hall

_Music From The Movies_ *ROBERT POWELL* introduces an evening of unforgettable musical themes from award-winning films including
Paul Bateman _conductor_ London Concert Orchestra
BATMAN *BEN-HUR* *PLATOON* *GLADIATOR* *JAMES BOND* *JURASSIC PARK* *INDIANA JONES* *HARRY POTTER* *DOCTOR ZHIVAGO* *THE DAM BUSTERS* *CHARIOTS OF FIRE* *THE DEER HUNTER* *LORD OF THE RINGS* *MISSION: IMPOSSIBLE* *DANCES WITH WOLVES* *THOSE MAGNIFICENT MEN IN THEIR FLYING MACHINES*
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
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'
Orchestra of the Swan: Bach's Brandenburg

Wed 18 Feb 2009 Town Hall

*Handel* Concerto Grosso op6 no9 *JS Bach* Suite in b minor *JS Bach* Brandenburg concerto no4 *JS Bach* Brandenburg concerto no5 *Christine Whiffen* harpsichord *David Le Page* violin *Diane Clark* flute
Symphonic Rock with the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra

Fri 20 Feb 2009 Symphony Hall

Following sell-out shows at London's Royal Albert Hall, experience the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra performing great rock anthems and classic pop tracks, featuring hits by: *Queen, The Moody Blues, The Beatles, Procol Harum, U2, Madonna, Bon Jovi, Meat Loaf and Eric Clapton*
*Nick Davies* conductor *Metro Voices*
CBSO Youth Orchestra

Sun 22 Feb 2009 Symphony Hall

Andris Nelsons demonstrates his commitment to Birmingham’s young musicians in this, his debut appearance with the CBSO’s acclaimed Youth Orchestra. And it’s all about colour. Whether in the gorgeous oriental fantasies of Ravel’s impressionist song-cycle Shéhérazade, the brilliant sunrise that opens his Daphnis and Chloé suite or the glittering Russian jewel-box of Mussorgsky’s Pictures at an Exhibition, this is a programme to dazzle the ears. Expect our superb young players to give it their all, as Andris Nelsons celebrates the start of what we hope will be a very special relationship.
Andris Nelsons - conductor Christine Rice - mezzo-soprano
Ravel: Daphnis et Chloé - Suite No. 2 16’ Ravel: Shéhérazade 19’ Mussorgsky (orch. Ravel): Pictures at an Exhibition 30’
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
Verdi's Requiem

Fri 20 Mar 2009 Symphony Hall

The Chorus and Orchestra of the Royal Opera House take up residence at Symphony Hall for two nights, with a glittering line-up of soloists and their Music Director, Antonio Pappano. _“ Everything Pappano conducts has highoctane energy, and that quality radiates off the podium as strongly as it does on it”_ *Daily Telegraph* Verdi’s Requiem is one of the greatest choral masterpieces of all time, and often described as an opera in all but name. Charged with passion, terrifying force, tenderness and consolation, this music comes straight from the composer’s heart. His sumptuous and dramatic choral writing gives us the chance to hear one of the world’s great opera choruses in full voice, in what promises to be a searing performance of this great score. *Classic FM’s Anne-Marie Minhall says of tonight’s recommended concert:* _The first of two performances in Symphony Hall for the Chorus and Orchestra of the Royal Opera House under Antonio Pappano. It’s seven years since the London-born Italian-American conductor became the music director at Covent Garden. Then 42, he was also the youngest to hold the post and since taking over the musical reins, he’s been acclaimed both by the public and critics alike. Pappano even had a premonition he’d be in the top job at Covent Garden as he read the former music director Sir Georg Solti’s autobiography._ *6.15pm pre-concert talk* Tickets £5-£50 _please note there is no interval_
*The Royal Opera Chorus* *The Orchestra of the Royal Opera House* *Antonio Pappano* conductor *Barbara Frittoli* soprano *Olga Borodina* mezzo-soprano *Piotr Beczala* tenor *Ildar Abdrazakov* bass
*Verdi* Requiem 90’
Good Friday St Matthew Passion

Fri 10 Apr 2009 Symphony Hall

Ex Cathedra’s trailblazing performances and critically acclaimed recordings have put them at the forefront of the international early music movement. So we can expect them to bring searching new insights to this season’s traditional Good Friday performance of Bach’s St Matthew Passion. It is the largest, most elaborate and most affecting of all Bach’s works, telling the story of the last days of Christ in music of great dignity and emotional intensity. Tickets £5-£37.50
*Ex Cathedra Soloists, Choir & Baroque Orchestra* *Jeffrey Skidmore* conductor *Nicholas Mulroy* _Evangelist_ *Eamonn Dougan* _Christus_
*J S Bach* St matthew Passion 180’
Orchestra of the Swan: The English Romantic

Wed 15 Apr 2009 Town Hall

£8.50, £12.50, £16.50, £19.50 Choir benches £6.50 60 plus £7.50, £11.50, £15, £17.50 Orchestra of the Swan is a Town Hall Associate Artist. Please note that the choir area is bench seating, the benches are behind the stage area, and there is limited legroom and no back support. The view of the stage from this area is limited. Book 3 or more OOTS concerts in one transaction and receive a 10% reduction. Book all 6 in transaction and receive a 20% reduction. Please call the Box Office direct on 0121 780 3333 to take advantage of these offer
*Mark Bebbington* Piano
*Vaughan Williams* The Wasps *John Ireland* Piano concerto No 1 *Brahms* Symphony No 2
Orchestra of the Swan: Tasmin Little and Sibelius

Sun 10 May 2009 Town Hall

*Tasmin Little* Violin
*Sibelius* Rakastava *Roxanna Panufnik* Tibetan Winter Violin & Orchestra *Sibelius* The Swan of Tuonela *Sibelius* Violin concerto
A Hero’s Life

Wed 24 Jun 2009 Symphony Hall

To close his first season, Andris Nelsons returns to his love of Richard Strauss, with the epic, semi-autobiographical tone poem in which the composer charts his marriage, his battles with his critics and his own earlier artistic creations. Haydn’s most famous mass - named for a great hero - also incorporates the sounds of war, and like Strauss, the composer pleads for a peace - Dona Nobis Pacem - that eventually arrives.
Andris Nelsons - conductor Claire Booth - soprano Hilary Summers - mezzo-soprano Andrew Kennedy - tenor Graeme Broadbent - bass City of Birmingham Symphony Chorus City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra
Haydn: Nelson Mass 43’ Strauss: Ein Heldenleben 46’
A Hero’s Life

Sat 27 Jun 2009 Symphony Hall

To close his first season, Andris Nelsons returns to his love of Richard Strauss, with the epic, semi-autobiographical tone poem in which the composer charts his marriage, his battles with his critics and his own earlier artistic creations. Haydn’s most famous mass - named for a great hero - also incorporates the sounds of war, and like Strauss, the composer pleads for a peace - Dona Nobis Pacem - that eventually arrives. c.9.15pm Post-concert conversation With Andris Nelsons and Stephen Maddock.
Andris Nelsons - conductor Claire Booth - soprano Hilary Summers - mezzo-soprano Andrew Kennedy - tenor Graeme Broadbent - bass City of Birmingham Symphony Chorus City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra
Haydn: Nelson Mass 43’ Strauss: Ein Heldenleben 46’

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Nash Ensemble

Tue 10 Feb 2009