concerts January–August 2014
CITY OF BIRMINGHAM SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA
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The CBSO is resident at Symphony Hall, Birmingham. The CBSO receives funding from 93 years of enlightened support
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WELCOME
“
Dear Friends As we begin 2014, I’m looking forward to a truly special year of music-making here in Birmingham. 2014 is Richard Strauss’s 150th birthday - and I never need any excuse to conduct the thrilling, colourful and deeply moving music of this great composer. So we’ll be celebrating in style, with performances of Der Rosenkavalier, the Four Last Songs, Also sprach Zarathustra and the rarely-heard Symphonia Domestica. We’re not just playing Strauss, though. Our principal guest conductor Edward Gardner will conduct Elgar’s First Symphony, and Janácˇek’s roofraising Sinfonietta. Meanwhile, our world-famous chorus will sing a real British classic, Walton’s Belshazzar’s Feast, and we’ll be welcoming one of Britain’s greatest living composers, Thomas Adès, for an evening of stunning new music.
I believe that music nourishes the soul - that it’s vital to our very wellbeing. So this year, why not try listening to something you haven’t heard before? In return, we promise to perform it with all our heart and soul. Everyone in our Birmingham musical family loves this music - and we’re passionate about sharing it with you.
“
Andris Nelsons CBSO Music Director
NIGHTS AT THE OPERA Concert performances of three operas to suit every taste: Der Rosenkavalier, Bluebeard’s Castle, and Trial By Jury. GREAT BRITISH CLASSICS A Vaughan Williams celebration, music by Elgar, Walton, Holst, Ireland and Sullivan, and modern masterpieces by John Woolrich and Charlotte Bray.
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Box office: 0121 345 0603 | visit: www.cbso.co.uk
JANUARY Wednesday 15 January, 7.30pm & Thursday 16 January, 2.15pm
PURE EMOTION
Prokofiev’s Romeo and Juliet Andris Nelsons - conductor Erin Wall - soprano Strauss: Don Juan Strauss: Four Last Songs Prokofiev: Romeo and Juliet (highlights)
18’ 22’ 50’
Love never dies. Richard Strauss’s career went off like a rocket with Don Juan, and you can almost smell the testosterone. A lifetime later, Strauss gazed into the sunset and heard his Four Last Songs; ardour turned to serenity, in music of transcendent beauty. As for Romeo and Juliet... let’s just say that there’s a lot more to Prokofiev’s romantic ballet score than the theme from The Apprentice. Andris Nelsons will give it his all. FREE pre-concert talk on 16 January - see p26.
Wednesday 22 January, 2.15pm
British Classics with John Wilson
DISCOVER
John Wilson - conductor Paul Watkins - cello Ireland: A London Overture Walton: Cello Concerto Vaughan Williams: A London Symphony
12’ 30’ 48’
Vaughan Williams may have loved the countryside, but he couldn’t resist the capital. Listen out for street-songs, buskers and even the chimes of Big Ben as conductor John Wilson drives us through the fog - and enjoy John Ireland’s gloriously tuneful take on the same bustling scene. Walton’s Cello Concerto, meanwhile, comes from warmer climes; with Paul Watkins as the soloist, this is one trip to London where sunshine is guaranteed! FREE pre-concert talk - see p26.
Centre Stage at CBSO Centre Friday 24 January, 1.10pm New Birmingham String Quartet McEwen: Nugae (Seven bagatelles for string quartet) Brahms: String Quartet No. 1
Box office: 0121 345 0603 | visit: www.cbso.co.uk
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Friday 24 January, 7.30pm
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Friday Night Classics: ABBA Symphonic Spectacular Stephen Bell - conductor Capital Voices directed by Annie Skates Mamma Mia! Here we go again, with a sensational, evening-long tribute to ABBA. You know them, you love them: Waterloo, Dancing Queen, Knowing Me Knowing You... So why not dress 70s-style? Dig out those flares, put on your dancing shoes and get ready to party, as the CBSO says “Thank you for the Music”.
ABBA Overture • Waterloo • One of Us • Gimme! Gimme! Gimme! • SOS • Super Trouper • The Name of the Game • The Winner Takes It All • Fernando • Mamma Mia • I Do, I Do, I Do, I Do, I Do • Money, Money, Money • Dancing Queen • Lay All Your Love • Voulez Vous • Does Your Mother Know • Chiquitita • Take A Chance On Me • I Have A Dream • Knowing Me, Knowing You • Angel Eyes • Thank You For The Music
Monday 27 January, 11.30am & 1.30pm & Friday 31 January, 11am & 1pm Schools Concerts::
The CBSO’s Guide to the Orchestra Michael Seal - conductor Alasdair Malloy - presenter CBSO Schools programme supported by
We are working with The Birmingham Music Education Partnership to enable all Year 7 children in Birmingham schools to experience the CBSO live in Symphony Hall.
What sound does a piccolo make? Why is a double bass so huge? And do they really need quite so many violins? The symphony orchestra is the most amazing piece of music technology ever devised; today, in a concert of music specially devised for Key Stage 3 students, presenter Alasdair Malloy explains how it all works - with the help of conductor Michael Seal and the full City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra. Programme includes music from Harry Potter, Angry Birds, Call of Duty, Beethoven’s Symphony No. 5, Labyrinth’s Earthquake and Copland’s Fanfare for the Common Man. Special prices apply.
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Box office: 0121 345 0603 | visit: www.cbso.co.uk
JANUARY/FEBRUARY Thursday 30 January, 7.30pm & Saturday 1 February, 3pm
The Organ Symphony Kazuki Yamada - conductor Francesco Piemontesi - piano Stephen Farr - organ
RAISE THE ROOF
Fauré: Pelleas and Melisande - Suite Rachmaninov: Rhapsody on a Theme of Paganini Widor: Toccata Saint-Saëns: Symphony No. 3 (Organ)
19’ 24’ 6’ 35’
You might have heard it in the film Babe, but trust us - when the Symphony Hall organ crashes in at the end of Saint-Saëns’ mighty Organ Symphony you won’t be thinking about talking pigs! It’s a long way from the gentle perfumes of Fauré’s lovely Pelleas and Melisande suite - though when Kazuki Yamada joins forces with the award-winning pianist Francesco Piemontesi in Rachmaninov’s superromantic Rhapsody on a Theme of Paganini, there’ll be fireworks aplenty amidst the poetry. 1 February: evening prices apply.
Wednesday 5 February, 7.30pm
Ultimate Vaughan Williams Andrew Manze - conductor Laurence Jackson - violin Vaughan Williams: Overture, The Wasps Fantasia on a Theme by Thomas Tallis The Lark Ascending Job, A Masque for Dancing
9’ 15’ 14’ 44’
“He rises and begins to round / he drops the silver chain of sound…” When The Lark Ascending takes wing, so do our spirits. But that’s just one side of the genius of Ralph Vaughan Williams. Andrew Manze has a special connection with this most English of composers; tonight he shares the rollicking fun of The Wasps, the timeless passion of the Tallis Fantasia and, to top it all, Job: a blockbuster of a ballet score that’ll change the way you think about English music. FREE pre-concert performance - see p26.
Centre Stage at CBSO Centre Friday 7 February, 1.10pm Brass Explosion! Berio: Call (St Louis Fanfare) Saint-Saëns: Sérénade d’hiver Previn: Four Outings Gershwin: Porgy and Bess - suite
Box office: 0121 345 0603 | visit: www.cbso.co.uk
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Friday 7 February, 7.30pm
Friday Night Classics: Gilbert and Sullivan Gala John Wilson - conductor Sarah Fox - soprano Benjamin Hulett - tenor Richard Suart - baritone Matthew Hargreaves - bass Birmingham University Singers Fresh, fizzy and sparkling with wit, G&S are as English as a G&T - and just as enjoyable. Mouth-watering tunes meet eye-watering words as tonight we welcome John Wilson and an allstar cast for an evening-long celebration of the Savoy Operas. With a selection of favourite songs, plus a full concert performance of Trial by Jury, we’ve got a little list. And it’s definitely not to be missed!
Gilbert & Sullivan: Trial By Jury (complete) The Gondoliers - Overture | Once More Gondolieri • The Sorcerer - Ring Forth, Ye Bells • The Yeomen of the Guard Is Life A Boon? • The Pirates Of Penzance - Climbing Over Rocky Mountain • Princess Ida - Oh Goddess Wise • Iolanthe - Overture • The Mikado As Someday It May Happen • H.M.S. Pinafore - Never Mind the Why & Wherefore | When I Was A Lad... • Ruddigore - Painted Emblems of a Race | When The Night Wind Howls
Sunday 9 February, 7pm
Singalong with the CBSO: Carmina Burana
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Simon Halsey - conductor CBSO Chorus & CBSO Children’s Chorus Ever wondered what it’s like to sing live at Symphony Hall with the full CBSO? Now’s your chance to find out, in this one-off performance from scratch of Carl Orff’s uproarious Carmina Burana - 60 outrageously tuneful minutes of life, lust and monks behaving badly! And whether you’re a choral society veteran or have only ever sung it in the shower, you’re welcome to rehearse and perform it today, under the CBSO’s world-famous chorus director Simon Halsey. Information for singers: rehearsals start at 1.30pm; further details will be sent with singer tickets. Scores: we will be using the Schott edition. To hire a score with Simon Halsey’s rehearsal markings, please purchase the all-inclusive Singer & Score Hire ticket when booking. NB If you’re not bringing your own score, pre-booking of score hire via this ticket is essential. Pre-booked scores can be collected on the day from 12.30pm by showing your score ticket.
Special prices apply.
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Box office: 0121 345 0603 | visit: www.cbso.co.uk
FEBRUARY Thursday 13 February, 7.30pm
RELAX AND REVITALISE
Mendelssohn in Birmingham: Hymn of Praise Edward Gardner - conductor Sophie Bevan - soprano Mary Bevan - soprano Robert Murray - tenor CBSO Chorus & CBSO Youth Chorus Mendelssohn: Overture, Calm Sea and Prosperous Voyage Mendelssohn: Two Motets, Op. 39 Mendelssohn: Symphony No. 2 (Hymn of Praise)
13’ 12’ 65’
Felix Mendelssohn was one of the greatest natural talents in the history of music. So when he challenged Beethoven at his own game... well hear for yourself! Hymn of Praise is Mendelssohn’s very own Choral Symphony. Birmingham audiences of 1840 adored it - and you will too, as Edward Gardner, the massed CBSO choruses and three first-rate soloists bring our Mendelssohn cycle to Symphony Hall. Two delightful rediscoveries complete a really joyous evening of music. FREE pre-concert talk - see p26.
Wednesday 19 February, 2.15pm & Thursday 20 February, 7.30pm
RELAX AND REVITALISE
Mozart and Elgar Edward Gardner - conductor Steven Osborne - piano Mozart: The Magic Flute - Overture Mozart: Piano Concerto No. 24, K. 491 Elgar: Symphony No. 1
7’ 31’ 52’
At the premiere of Elgar’s First Symphony in 1908, the audience rose to its feet and simply yelled with excitement. So prepare yourself for raw emotion, desperate beauty, and of course, one of the greatest tunes ever written by an Englishman. The CBSO has a special relationship with Elgar; today, Edward Gardner writes a new chapter. Mozart’s darkest piano concerto makes a wonderfully apt prelude, played by the incomparable Steven Osborne. FREE pre-concert talks - see p26.
Box office: 0121 345 0603 | visit: www.cbso.co.uk
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Sunday 23 February, 7pm
DISCOVER
CBSO Youth Orchestra Jac van Steen - conductor Bray: Black Rainbow (CBSO/Feeney Trust commission: World premiere) 10’
Wagner: Tristan and Isolde, Symphonic Synthesis Strauss: Also sprach Zarathustra
35’ 32’
Richard Strauss wanted Also sprach Zarathustra to portray “the entire history of humanity”. Well, our Youth Orchestra likes a challenge! Jac van Steen has a special rapport with our superb young players; so he’s the perfect guide as they tackle one of the most breathtaking showpieces in all music - and surrender to the life-changing passion of Wagner’s Tristan and Isolde. And meet Charlotte Bray: the Birmingham-trained composer whose music caused such a stir at the 2012 Proms. FREE pre-concert talk - see p26. Special prices apply.
Wednesday 26 February, 7.30pm
Mozart’s Gran Partita Karl-Heinz Steffens - conductor Renaud Capuçon - violin Mozart: Gran Partita (Serenade for 13 wind instruments, K.361) 49’ Glazunov: Violin Concerto 20’ Stravinsky: Symphony in Three Movements 20’
Centre Stage at CBSO Centre Thursday 27 February, 1.10pm CBSO Players Beethoven: Piano Quartet in C Mendelssohn: Piano Quartet No. 2
DISCOVER
In the film Amadeus, when Mozart’s arch-rival Salieri hears his Gran Partita, he thinks he’s hearing the voice of God. Tonight, Karl-Heinz Steffens – a former principal clarinettist of the Berlin Philharmonic itself – leads the CBSO’s wind players to heaven. That’s just for starters, in a concert that features a rare performance of the luscious violin concerto by the ‘Russian Mendelssohn’ Alexander Glazunov, and Stravinsky’s punchy wartime symphony; music of chrome and steel, from the streets of LA. Pure sonic indulgence. FREE pre-concert talk - see p26.
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Box office: 0121 345 0603 | visit: www.cbso.co.uk
FEBRUARY/MARCH Friday 28 February, 7.30pm
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Friday Night Classics: Songs for Swingin’ Orchestra Richard Balcombe - conductor Catherine Porter - vocalist Graham Bickley - vocalist Well, ring-a-ding-ding! For one night only, Symphony Hall transforms itself into the Sands Hotel, Vegas for this sensational tribute to the legendary crooners of the 1950s. We’ve got all the classics, by composers including George Gershwin, Cole Porter, Irving Berlin, Nat King Cole and Richard Rodgers. With vocalists Graham Bickley and Catherine Porter backed by the full CBSO, they’ll never sound silkier, sassier or more fabulously swinging. There’s no more glamorous party in town - so join us, and get happy!
Programme includes:
Let’s Do It • The Lady is a Tramp • Let’s Face the Music and Dance • Get Happy • I’ve Got You Under My Skin • Luck Be A Lady • Nature Boy • Straighten Up And Fly Right • Fancy Meeting You Here • What’s New? • I’ve Got The World On A String • Sinatra Film Suite • Beginner’s Luck • Mona Lisa • Can’t We Be Friends? Ambulatory Suite • My Favourite Beau • My Heart Stood Still • Pal Joey - theme • Lover, Come Back to Me • Sea of Dreams • Dance Ballerina, Dance • Lush Life Presented in association with GRB Concerts.
FREE pre-concert performance - see p26.
Sunday 2 March, 2.30pm Family Concert::
Carnival of the Animals Michael Seal - conductor Nikky Smedley - presenter Never been to a concert? Don’t worry, neither has Puppet Sam - but with the aid of his pal Nikky (famous as Laa Laa from Teletubbies) and 80 friendly musicians, he’s about to find out all there is to know about the CBSO! And once she and Sam have introduced us the orchestra, we’re all off to the zoo - with a full performance of Saint-Saëns’ wacky and wonderful Carnival of The Animals. A double bass turns into an elephant, flutes become birds and tortoises dance the can-can - it’s a perfectly beastly way to get to know the instruments of the orchestra. Just don’t feed the fossils! FREE craft workshops and music in the foyers from 1pm. Why not come dressed up as your favourite animal? Special prices apply.
Box office: 0121 345 0603 | visit: www.cbso.co.uk
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Thursday 6 March, 7.30pm
RAISE THE ROOF
Rachmaninov’s Second Piano Concerto Michael Seal - conductor Gabriela Montero - piano Bizet / Shchedrin: Carmen Suite Rachmaninov: Piano Concerto No. 2 Shostakovich: Symphony No. 5
25’ 32’ 46’
Shostakovich staked his life on his Fifth Symphony - and you can tell. From angst-torn opening to all-too-triumphant finish, there’s no symphony more powerful – or more personal – than this musical response to Stalin’s terror. Under Michael Seal, it’ll strike home with devastating power: a gripping contrast to Rachmaninov’s hugely popular piano concerto (of Brief Encounter fame) and Shchedrin’s hilarious Carmen suite, based on Bizet's original. Imagine Bizet’s opera after a Smirnoff too many - it’s as outrageous as it sounds! FREE pre-concert performance - see p26.
DISCOVER
Saturday 8 March, 7pm
Tuned In: Shostakovich’s Fifth Michael Seal - conductor Paul Rissmann - presenter An introduction to Shostakovich’s Symphony No. 5
40’
interval
Shostakovich: Symphony No. 5
46’
In Stalin’s Russia, writing the wrong kind of music could carry a terrible price. So Shostakovich’s Fifth Symphony was more than just a thrilling piece of music - it was a life-ordeath gamble. In this special Tuned In concert, presenter Paul Rissmann uses illustrations, anecdotes and the full CBSO to explain how Shostakovich beat the system - and unlock the secret story behind the music. Then Michael Seal conducts a full performance of the Symphony. There’s no better way to get under the skin of one of most powerful testimonies in 20th-century music. Special prices apply.
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Box office: 0121 345 0603 | visit: www.cbso.co.uk
MARCH/APRIL Wednesday 12 March, 7.30pm & Thursday 13 March, 2.15pm
Rachmaninov’s Second Symphony
PURE EMOTION
Mikhail Tatarnikov - conductor Peter Donohoe - piano Mussorgsky: Night on a Bare Mountain Dohnányi: Variations on a Nursery Song Rachmaninov: Symphony No. 2
12’ 25’ 55’
Think Russian and you think epic. Rachmaninov’s Second is exactly that: a symphony as grand and expansive as Russia itself, full-to-overflowing with some of the most gorgeous love music ever written. It could have been written for our guest conductor Mikhail Tatarnikov. And Dohnányi’s delightful Variations on a Nursery Tune could have been written for today’s soloist - because our latest rediscovery from 1913 demands both spectacular artistry and a cheeky sense of humour. Peter Donohoe has both! FREE pre-concert talks - see p26.
CENTRE STAGE at CBSO Centre
Wednesday 12 March, 1.10pm CBSO Players Haydn: String Quartet Op. 33 No. 2 (Joke) Mozart: String Quartet K.465 (Dissonance)
Friday 11 April, 1.10pm CBSO Baroque Ensemble (on period instruments) The Royal Society of Musicians England’s first charity for musicians came into being in 1739. This concert explores music by some of its founder members: William Boyce, Thomas Arne, William Hayes and George Frederick Handel.
Friday 25 April, 1.10pm CBSO Players Schubert: Octet in F, D.803
Box office: 0121 345 0603 | visit: www.cbso.co.uk
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APRIL
“ ‘Imagine shaking a champagne bottle with all your might and then ... popping the cork!’ - the image Andris uses to inspire us to create his vision for the opening of Don Juan. Such energy, passion, speed, tension, drama you need to hear it!” Catherine Arlidge, violin, on 15/16 January with Andris; see p3
In rehearsal at CBSO Centre
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Box office: 0121 345 0603 | visit: www.cbso.co.uk
Saturday 26 April, 7pm
Belshazzar’s Feast John Storgårds - conductor Mark Stone - bass CBSO Chorus & CBSO Youth Chorus Holst: The Hymn of Jesus Bernstein: Chichester Psalms Walton: Belshazzar’s Feast
RAISE THE ROOF
23’ 19’ 34’
1931: William Walton takes a huge choir and a massive symphony orchestra, adds a couple of brass bands - and blows English music sky-high. Big, brassy and shamelessly savage, Belshazzar’s Feast caused outrage back then, and it still knocks you backwards today! It’s a stunning showcase for the CBSO’s famous choruses; and John Storgårds gets things buzzing with two joyous choral classics by the composers behind West Side Story and The Planets. We think you’ll love them. Part of the CBSO Chorus 40th anniversary celebrations: We mark 40 tremendous years of the CBSO Chorus in 2014; come and celebrate with us as we look forward to the next 40!
22 April, 24 April, 28 April, 30 April, 2 May at 7pm At a venue in Birmingham to be announced
The Khovansky Files: A National Enquiry Musorgsky (orch Shostakovich) Stuart Stratford - conductor Graham Vick - director Birmingham Opera Company Duration 195’. There will be one interval of 20 minutes.
A nation on the brink of collapse, torn apart by corruption, religious fanaticism and ethnic cleansing: Birmingham Opera Company brings opera into the 21st century. The CBSO joins director Graham Vick, an international cast of soloists and over 200 volunteers from the Birmingham community in a secret inner-city location for this radical and innovative new production of Musorgsky’s Khovanshchina. Booking opens in January. For further details and to book please refer to the CBSO website www.cbso.co.uk and the Birmingham Opera Company website www.birminghamopera.org.uk
Eric Greene sings Ivan Khovansky
These performances are promoted by Birmingham Opera Company, therefore different discount policy and prices will apply.
Box office: 0121 345 0603 | visit: www.cbso.co.uk
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Thursday 1 May, 2.15pm
Rimsky-Korsakov’s Scheherazade
PURE EMOTION
Rafael Payare - conductor Jonathan Biss - piano Brahms: Tragic Overture Schumann: Piano Concerto Rimsky-Korsakov: Scheherazade
13’ 31’ 45’
Brahms found strength in the depths of despair. Schumann poured out his feelings for his beloved Clara. And Scheherazade just wanted to keep her head! But every one of them told an unforgettable musical story, and from Brahms’s epic drama to Rimsky-Korsakov’s fantastically tuneful musical fairytale on One Thousand and One Nights, Rafael Payare – the latest graduate of Venezuela’s legendary El Sistema – will make each one blaze with colour. Pianist Jonathan Biss finds poetry amidst the passion in this concert of much-loved classics. FREE pre-concert talk - see p26.
RAISE THE ROOF
Rachmaninov and Shostakovich Andrés Orozco-Estrada - conductor Simone Lamsma - violin
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Friday 9 May, 1.10pm CBSO Players Rossini: Duetto for cello and bass Dvorˇák: String Quintet Op. 77
Thursday 8 May, 7.30pm
Ravel: Alborada del gracioso Shostakovich: Violin Concerto No. 1 Rachmaninov: Symphonic Dances
Centre Stage at CBSO Centre
7’ 38’ 37’
Far from all he loved, Sergei Rachmaninov dreamed of another world. The result was his Symphonic Dances: half-symphony, half-ballet, all Rachmaninov. Andrés Orozco-Estrada has been a real hit with Birmingham audiences; tonight he whirls the CBSO through a vision of ghostly waltzes, life-or-death gambles, and those great, unforgettable Rachmaninov melodies – and joins star soloist Simone Lamsma in Shostakovich’s tense political thriller of a First Violin Concerto.
Box office: 0121 345 0603 | visit: www.cbso.co.uk
MAY CELEBRATE AND SHARE
Friday 9 May, 7.30pm
Friday Night Classics: Silent Heroes - Buster Keaton Carl Davis - conductor Davis: The Play House Davis: The General
22’ 76’
It doesn’t matter how good your home cinema is. Until you’ve heard a full symphony orchestra accompanying a film live, you haven’t experienced the ultimate in movie surround sound!
Veteran movie maestro Carl (‘Cranford’) Davis conducts the CBSO in a live soundtrack to one of the greatest film comedies of all time, Buster Keaton’s runawaytrain classic The General. We’ve even got a ‘B’ feature too. They don’t make ’em like that any more? Well, at Symphony Hall, we do! Special prices apply.
Sunday 11 May, 2.30pm Family Concert:
Bite-size Classics Michael Seal - conductor Alasdair Malloy - presenter CBSO Children’s Chorus When you’re into classical music, you’ve got more than 300 years of great tunes to choose from! So where do you start? Well, how about this concert of bite-size classics for the whole family, as presenter Alasdair Malloy, maestro Mike Seal and the 80 super-talented musicians of the CBSO whisk you from Beethoven to Freddie Mercury in just two fun-packed hours! FREE craft workshops and music in the foyers from 1pm. Why not come dressed up as something musical? Highlights from: Strauss: Also sprach Zarathustra Glinka: Ruslan and Ludmila - Overture Fauré: Dolly Suite • Beethoven: Symphony No. 5 Shostakovich: Symphony No. 5 Copland: Rodeo - Hoe Down Prokofiev: Classical Symphony Mercury: Bohemian Rhapsody and more Special prices apply.
Box office: 0121 345 0603 | visit: www.cbso.co.uk
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Sunday 11 May, 7.30pm
CBSO Benevolent Fund Concert Sir Simon Rattle - conductor Peter Donohoe - piano Rachmaninov: Piano Concerto No. 3 Brahms: Symphony No. 1
44’ 45’
When Sir Simon Rattle comes home to Birmingham, it’s always a special occasion. But with Sir Simon giving his services gratis in support of the CBSO Benevolent Fund*, this concert should be truly out of the ordinary as he joins old friend Peter Donohoe in Rachmaninov’s Third Concerto, and conducts Brahms’s stirring First Symphony the way only he can. The world’s greatest music, made in Birmingham. *The CBSO Benevolent Fund, registered friendly society 735F, exists to support CBSO players and staff, past and present, at times of ill-health or other hardship.
Special prices apply. This concert is promoted by the CBSO Benevolent Fund; different discount policy applies, please check when booking.
Symphonic Selection Concert Packages Get the best deals and enjoy our music again and again!
Save money Book 3 or more concerts and get 5% to 30% off tickets, depending on how many concerts chosen Great benefits: • Free ticket exchange • £1 off concert programmes • Discounted car parking at , Brindleyplace • Free CBSO magazine MusicStand Selection Plus 11+ concerts gets you the benefits above, and • Savings on additional CBSO tickets • 10% off CDs from THSH Gift Shop For Group Discount details and how to book for all our packages, please see p28.
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Box office: 0121 345 0603 | visit: www.cbso.co.uk
MAY
“I think this is my favourite piece of music. The music is incredible, so powerful. It’s romantic, passionate, beautiful and achingly sad. Every time I hear the end I get goosebumps and usually cry.” Jane Wright, violin, on Der Rosenkavalier - p19
Box office: 0121 345 0603 | visit: www.cbso.co.uk
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Wednesday 14 May, 7.30pm
Haydn and Mozart Andris Nelsons - conductor Margaret Cookhorn - contrabassoon Rainer Gibbons - oboe Christopher Richards - clarinet Gretha Tuls - bassoon Elspeth Dutch - horn Haydn: Symphony No. 101 (The Clock) Mozart: Sinfonia Concertante for Oboe, Clarinet, Bassoon and Horn, K.297B Woolrich: Falling Down Haydn: Symphony No. 102
RELAX AND REVITALISE
27’ 30’ 15’ 23’
Four’s company! Mozart may or may not have written this Sinfonia Concertante - but who’s counting, when it brings four of the CBSO’s star players together in one delightful musical multiple pile-up? This is going to be fun, so Andris Nelsons gets us smiling with two of the deliciously witty symphonies Haydn wrote specially for British audiences, and then throws in a very special bonus: the fantastically inventive concerto that John Woolrich wrote specially for the CBSO’s contrabassoonist, Margaret Cookhorn.
Thursday 22 May, 1.10pm CBSO Players
FREE pre-concert talk - see p26.
Beethoven: String Quartet Op. 130 Grosse Fuge Op. 133
RELAX AND REVITALISE
Thursday 15 May, 2.15pm
Haydn and Mozart Andris Nelsons - conductor Graham Sibley - tuba Rainer Gibbons - oboe Christopher Richards - clarinet Gretha Tuls - bassoon Elspeth Dutch - horn Haydn: Symphony No. 101 (The Clock) Mozart: Sinfonia Concertante for Oboe, Clarinet, Bassoon and Horn, K.297B Vaughan Williams: Tuba Concerto Haydn: Symphony No. 102
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Centre Stage at CBSO Centre
27’ 30’ 13’ 23’
Take a clarinet, an oboe, a bassoon and a horn. Add one tuba - and the result is a matinée with a delightful difference, as a quartet of the CBSO’s world-class woodwind players tackles Mozart’s bubbly four-way concerto. Andris Nelsons sets a playful mood with two of Haydn’s deliciously witty ‘London’ symphonies, and then whisks us into the era of the Festival of Britain, as CBSO tuba player Graham Sibley flies high in Vaughan Williams’s rare and lovely concerto. FREE pre-concert and post-concert talks - see p26.
Box office: 0121 345 0603 | visit: www.cbso.co.uk
MAY Saturday 24 May, 4pm
Der Rosenkavalier
PURE
EMOTION Andris Nelsons - conductor Soile Isokoski - Marschallin Alice Coote - Octavian Sophie Bevan - Sophie Franz Hawlata - Ochs Mark Stone - Faninal Bonaventura Bottone - Valzacchi Pamela Helen Stephen - Annina Ji-Min Park - Italian Tenor Eddie Wade - Notary / Police Inspector / Servant CBSO Chorus & Youth Chorus
Strauss: Der Rosenkavalier
206’
(sung in German, with English surtitles)
Love conquers everything, so they say... but what about Time? In a fairytale Vienna, the beautiful Marschallin and her teenage lover are about to discover that a single silver rose can turn the world upside down. Richard Strauss’s Der Rosenkavalier is an opera that ravishes the ear, then breaks your heart to the sound of a waltz. Andris Nelsons has assembled a truly world-class cast for what is sure to be a highlight of the season, in his first ever concert performance of the sweetest and most sensuous opera of all time. The approximate running times of Acts 1, 2 & 3 are 75’, 63’ and 68’ respectively. There will be a 30-minute interval after Act 1 and a one-hour interval after Act 2.
Special prices apply.
RAISE THE ROOF
Wednesday 28 May, 2.15pm
Andris and Håkan in concert Andris Nelsons - conductor Håkan Hardenberger - trumpet Ravel: Le Tombeau de Couperin Haydn: Trumpet Concerto A selection of miniatures for trumpet and orchestra Mussorgsky (orch. Ravel): Pictures at an Exhibition
17’ 14’ 15’ 34’
A hut on hen’s legs, luminous skulls, baroque watercolours... sounds spectacular? It’s amazing what you can achieve with a head full of tunes and a few shots of vodka! Andris Nelsons unlocks a real jewel-box of a concert, with two hugely popular classics providing a glittering frame for a true living treasure as the world’s greatest trumpeter brings his gleaming sound to Haydn’s much-loved concerto - and shares a few jazzy surprises from his recent album Both Sides, Now. FREE pre-concert talk - see p26.
Box office: 0121 345 0603 | visit: www.cbso.co.uk
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Thursday 29 May, 7.30pm
Pictures at an Exhibition Andris Nelsons - conductor Håkan Hardenberger - trumpet Ravel: Le Tombeau de Couperin Dean: Dramatis Personae (CBSO co-commission: UK premiere)
Mussorgsky (orch. Ravel): Pictures at an Exhibition
DISCOVER
17’ 20’ 34’
When Maurice Ravel arranged Mussorgsky’s Pictures at an Exhibition, he created one of the few adaptations that’s better than the original! From its opening Promenade to the majestic Great Gate of Kiev, it’s one of the alltime great orchestral showpieces. Andris Nelsons unlocks a real jewel-box of a concert as Håkan Hardenberger, probably the world’s greatest trumpeter, gives the first UK performance of an imaginative new concerto by Brett Dean. History in the making...
Centre Stage at CBSO Centre Friday 30 May, 1.10pm CBSO Players
FREE pre-concert talk - see p26.
Steve Reich: Marimba Phase Jan Bradley: Chieba Radiohead: Pyramid Song Stephen Rush: Rebellion
RELAX AND REVITALISE
Thursday 5 June, 2.15pm
Summer Serenade Laurence Jackson - director / violin Grieg: Holberg Suite Mozart: Violin Concerto No. 3 Dvorˇák: Nocturne in B major Tchaikovsky: Serenade for Strings
21’ 24’ 9’ 29’
Once upon a time, serenades were played in the open air. This afternoon, you’ll almost feel the summer sunshine as the CBSO’s leader Laurence Jackson becomes first amongst equals in some of the loveliest music ever penned for a pocket-sized orchestra. Tchaikovsky’s endless melodies and Grieg’s mock-baroque revels frame the teenage Mozart’s most perfect violin concerto; timeless elegance, gentle humour, and tune after tune after tune. All you have to do is relax! FREE pre-concert talk - see p26.
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Box office: 0121 345 0603 | visit: www.cbso.co.uk
JUNE CELEBRATE AND SHARE
Friday 6 June, 7.30pm
Featuring music from:
Friday Night Classics: Heroes and Superheroes Richard Kaufman - conductor We need a hero! Enter movie maestro Richard Kaufman – a true Hollywood insider – with an allstar salute to the biggest, boldest and baddest stars of the silver screen. Re-live the adventures of all of our heroes, and savour the sonic thrill as Kaufman gives them the deluxe treatment - in full symphonic sound!
Superman Dances with Wolves 633 Squadron The Magnificent Seven Saving Private Ryan The Sea Hawk Spider-Man • Silverado Raiders of the Lost Ark The High and the Mighty Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone Batman • Star Trek Austin Powers • James Bond
Wednesday 11 June, 7.30pm
Thomas Adès: New Horizons
DISCOVER
Thomas Adès - conductor Nicolas Hodges - piano Ravel: Mother Goose (complete) Barry: Piano Concerto (CBSO co-commission: UK premiere)
Coll: Piano Concertino (UK premiere) Adès: Tevot
28’ 20’ 10’ 22’
As both internationally-renowned composer and visionary conductor, Thomas Adès is one of the most compelling figures in the contemporary arts, bringing a unique insight to everything he performs. Today, Ravel’s fairy-tale ballet and his own orchestral tour de force Tevot (composed for the Berlin Philharmonic) book-end two fantastic premieres from renowned contemporary pianist Nicolas Hodges: the exuberant Concertino by the young Spanish composer Francisco Coll, and a new Piano Concerto by musical maverick and allround entertainer Gerald Barry. Be ready for anything - except the routine! FREE pre-concert talk - see p26. Special prices apply.
Box office: 0121 345 0603 | visit: www.cbso.co.uk
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Thursday 12 June, 11.30am & 1.30pm
Famous as Laa Laa from Teletubbies, Nikky Smedley has over 30 years’ experience of creating work for children. Today, she teams up with the full CBSO to give a guided tour of Saint-Saëns’ Carnival of the Animals - a wild and wonderful musical zoo complete with elephants, lions, swans and... pianists? These lively, hour-long concerts offer a colourful introduction to the instruments of the orchestra, specially devised for students at Key Stage 2.
Schools Concerts:
Carnival of the Animals Michael Seal - conductor Nikky Smedley - presenter
CBSO Schools programme supported by
Special prices apply.
Wednesday 18 June, 7.30pm
Strauss and Shakespeare Andris Nelsons - conductor Barbara Hannigan - soprano
DISCOVER
Mendelssohn: A Midsummer Night’s Dream - Overture 11’ 30’ Abrahamsen: let me tell you (UK premiere) Strauss: Symphonia Domestica 44’ Richard Strauss wasn’t one to throw the baby out with the bathwater. His extraordinary Symphonia Domestica is a no-holds-barred musical diary of a day with the Strauss family, from morning lie-in through to bathtime for baby! It’s hilarious, heartwarming, and utterly OTT, and Andris Nelsons can’t wait to conduct it. First, though, come two enchanting classics - one a much-loved favourite, one freshly-written for the soprano Barbara Hanningan, but both inspired by the magic of Shakespeare. FREE pre-concert talk - see p26.
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Box office: 0121 345 0603 | visit: www.cbso.co.uk
JUNE Thursday 19 June, 2.15pm
Beethoven’s Emperor Concerto
RAISE THE ROOF
Andris Nelsons - conductor Paul Lewis - piano Beethoven: Piano Concerto No. 5 (Emperor) 38’ Strauss: Symphonia Domestica 44’ “What could be more serious than family life?” asked Richard Strauss, and promptly composed his extraordinary Symphonia Domestica: a wonderfully over-the-top celebration of family life in all its splashy glory - from the baby’s bathtime through to a date-night for mum and dad! It’s heartwarming, humorous and irresistibly tuneful. Andris Nelsons can’t wait to conduct it; an unexpected but surprisingly suitable match for Beethoven’s majestic Emperor Concerto, played by a true poet amongst British pianists. FREE pre-concert talk - see p26.
Friday 20 June 1.10pm CBSO Cellos Spanish surprises from eight of the CBSO’s cellos - including music by Falla, Albéniz and Pau Casals.
Thursday 26 June, 7.30pm & Saturday 28 June, 7pm
RELAX AND REVITALISE
Mozart’s C minor Mass Andris Nelsons - conductor Sarah-Jane Brandon - soprano Lisa Milne - soprano Ben Johnson - tenor Vuyani Mlinde - bass John Tattersdill - double bass CBSO Chorus Mozart: Symphony No. 40 Mozart: Misero! O sogno - Aura, che intorno spiri Mozart: Per questa bella mano Mozart: Mass in C minor
Centre Stage at CBSO Centre
26’
When Mozart got married, he made a pact with heaven - and Mozart took his promises seriously. The result was the tremendous C minor Mass: a soul-shaking choral epic on the grandest possible scale. If you love Mozart’s Requiem, you’ll be knocked backwards when Andris Nelsons, the CBSO Chorus and a top-notch team of soloists come together for a concert that also features Mozart’s best-loved symphony and his only solo for double bass, featuring the CBSO’s popular section leader. Hearing is believing.
11’ 7’ 51’
Box office: 0121 345 0603 | visit: www.cbso.co.uk
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Wednesday 2 July, 7.30pm
Bluebeard’s Castle Edward Gardner - conductor Ekaterina Gubanova - mezzo Gábor Bretz - bass Janácˇek: Sinfonietta Bartók: Duke Bluebeard’s Castle
RAISE THE ROOF
25’ 60’
(sung in Hungarian with English surtitles)
“In wars outside the blood runs redly / Here is something far more deadly / Ladies and gentlemen.” Bluebeard’s castle has seven doors. Judith is determined to open them all. But some questions are best left unanswered... Edward Gardner, music director of English National Opera, brings all his sense of theatre to Bartók’s dark fairytale, and brings up the curtain with Janácˇek’s ear-tingling Sinfonietta. Imagine 14 trumpeters blasting the roof off - now experience that ultimate sonic thrill in Europe’s most brilliant acoustic! FREE pre-concert talk - see p26.
Friday 4 July, 7.30pm
Friday Night Classics: New York, New York - A Gershwin and Bernstein Gala Martin Yates - conductor West End vocalists Victor Sangiorgio - piano New York, New York! George Gershwin wrote the soundtrack to the Jazz Age Big Apple. Lennie Bernstein turned its mean streets into thrilling song and dance. Together, they add up to one fabulous night out on the Fourth of July in the greatest city on earth... Birmingham, of course! We’re talking songs like Summertime and Fascinatin’ Rhythm, and shows like West Side Story and On the Town, not forgetting the theme tune of Manhattan itself, Rhapsody in Blue. So let’s go - it’s a helluva town!
CELEBRATE AND SHARE
Gershwin: Rhapsody in Blue • Summertime I’ll Build a Stairway to Paradise Girl Crazy - Overture • I’ve Got a Crush on You Our Love is Here to Stay Promenade (Walking the Dog) Let’s Call the Whole Thing Off • The Man I Love Fascinatin’ Rhythm • Swanee Bernstein: West Side Story: Mambo | Tonight | Something’s Coming | Somewhere | A Boy Like That Candide: Overture On the Town: Lonely Town | Carried Away | Times Square 1944 | I Can Cook Too | Some Other Time | New York, New York Wonderful Town: A Little Bit in Love | One Hundred Easy Ways to Lose A Man
Produced in association with West End International Ltd.
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Box office: 0121 345 0603 | visit: www.cbso.co.uk
JULY/AUGUST Saturday 26 July, 7pm Town Hall, Birmingham
CBSO Youth Orchestra Academy Michael Seal - conductor Kodály: Dances of Marosszék Strauss: Metamorphosen Beethoven: Symphony No. 3 (Eroica)
12’ 26’ 45’
“These marvellous young players are invincible” The Birmingham Post
Beethoven’s Eroica Symphony blew classical music sky-high. Richard Strauss’s Metamorphosen is a cry of anguish in a world devastated by madness. This is music of extremes: ardent, eloquent, and pulsing with emotion - in other words, perfect for the 50 committed young musicians of the superb CBSO Youth Orchestra Academy. Kodály’s fiery Transylvanian dances light the touchpaper: prepare to be blown away. Special prices apply.
Monday 25 August, 7.30pm
Wagner and Elgar Andris Nelsons - conductor Klaus Florian Vogt - tenor Wagner: Parsifal Good Friday Music Act 2 Soliloquy Act 3: Nur eine Waffe taugt Wagner: Lohengrin Prelude to Act 3 Lohengrin’s Soliloquy and Grail Narration Elgar: Symphony No. 2
12’ 7’ 6’ 4’ 12’ 54’
“Here, time becomes space...” Wagner’s Parsifal is like no other opera, and today Andris Nelsons and the CBSO make their first journey into its enchanted world: a realm of sublime passion, transcendent grandeur and music that glows from within. This should be very special indeed, and it’s a ravishing upbeat to Elgar’s mighty Second Symphony: music of epic vision, secret sorrow and beauty that’ll break your heart.
Box office: 0121 345 0603 | visit: www.cbso.co.uk
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PRE-CONCERT TALKS Discover more about music
Get more from your listening with these FREE pre-concert talks at Symphony Hall, given by musicians, composers, writers, bloggers, critics and conductors - all sharing their perspectives on the music to follow. Also, enjoy music-making from the next generation with free pre-concert performances by students from Birmingham Conservatoire.
Thursday 16 January, 1pm Richard Strauss at 150 Writer and broadcaster Stephen Johnson introduces Don Juan and the Four Last Songs.
Thursday 1 May, 1pm The Players’ Perspective: Scheherazade With CBSO violinist David Gregory and orchestral colleagues.
Wednesday 22 January, 1pm A London Symphony The popular British conductor John Wilson talks about Vaughan Williams.
Wed 14 May, 6.15pm/Thur 15 May, 1pm Woodwind Classics With Professor George Caird, oboist and former principal of Birmingham Conservatoire.
Wednesday 5 February, 6.15pm Conservatoire Showcase Malcolm Arnold: Symphony No. 5 Birmingham Conservatoire Symphony Orchestra, conducted by Michael Seal.
Thursday 15 May, c4.30pm Post-concert chat Stay on for a post-concert conversation with Andris Nelsons and Stephen Maddock.
Thursday 13 February, 6.15pm Mendelssohn in Birmingham (3) Jessica Duchen of The Independent introduces Mendelssohn’s rarely-heard Hymn of Praise.
Wednesday 28 May, 1pm The Players’ Perspective: Pictures at an Exhibition With violinist David Gregory and colleagues.
Wed 19 February, 1pm/Thur 20 February, 6.15pm Edward Gardner on Elgar With CBSO’s principal guest conductor and CBSO chief executive Stephen Maddock.
Thursday 29 May, 6.15pm Premiere: Brett Dean Composer Brett Dean talks about his new work Dramatis Personae - with Stephen Maddock.
Sunday 23 February, 5.45pm Premiere: Charlotte Bray Composer Charlotte Bray introduces her new work, Black Rainbow.
Thursday 5 June, 1pm The Players’ Perspective - String Serenades With violinist David Gregory and colleagues.
Wednesday 26 February, 6.15pm Alexander Glazunov With writer and critic David Fanning and musicologist Michelle Assay. Friday 28 February, 6.15pm Songs for a Rockin’ Orchestra Young musicians from across the Midlands perform orchestral arrangements of popular rock classics.
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Wednesday 11 June, 6.15pm Premiere: Gerald Barry The Irish composer introduces his brand new Piano Concerto - with Stephen Maddock. Wednesday 18 June, 6.15pm Premiere: let me tell you Composer Hans Abrahamsen and librettist Paul Griffiths discuss their new song cycle.
Thursday 6 March, 6.15pm Conservatoire Showcase A FREE piano recital by the rising stars of Birmingham Conservatoire.
Thursday 19 June, 1pm Symphonia Domestica Stephen Johnson shares his enthusiasm for Strauss’s musical family portrait.
Wed 12 March, 6.15pm/Thur 13 March, 1pm Donohoe on Dohnányi Pianist Peter Donohoe talks about Dohnányi’s delightful concerto.
Wednesday 2 July, 6.15pm Bluebeard’s Castle Edward Gardner shines a light on Bartók’s sinister operatic masterpiece.
Box office: 0121 345 0603 | visit: www.cbso.co.uk
Join the CBSO family through giving or membership Becoming a CBSO member, whether as an individual or a business, gives you access to a whole host of exclusive benefits and a very warm welcome from the CBSO family. For further information, visit www.cbso.co.uk/getinvolved, call Claire Watts on 0121 616 6533 or email cwatts@cbso.co.uk BE THE FIRST TO HEAR Take advantage of priority booking for all of the CBSO’s Birmingham performances, ahead of our main launches. GET INSIDE THE ORCHESTRA Learn more about the work of the Orchestra and the music we perform by attending our exclusive, members-only open rehearsals at Symphony Hall. TREAT YOURSELF With delicious sandwiches and cakes, anecdotes from our players, and tales of musical life from our most popular conductors and soloists, our members’ afternoon teas are the perfect mid-week treat. FOLLOW THE BAND Making holiday plans? Why not join us on a members’ trip to hear the CBSO on tour at some of Europe’s most prestigious venues? MEET THE MUSICIANS CBSO musicians attend members’ receptions, dinners and afternoon teas, providing opportunities to meet this extraordinarily talented group of people away from the Symphony Hall stage. WOW YOUR CLIENTS If you’re looking for something different for clients or colleagues, a corporate package with the CBSO can help you stand out. With exceptional hospitality, exclusive introductions to musicians and a range of bespoke CSR opportunities, we can give your company the wow factor. MAKE A DIFFERENCE Every year, the CBSO has to secure over £9 million to deliver its extraordinary programme of concerts, commissions, education and training. Around 10% of this comes from private investment from individual donors, businesses and trusts. Every member makes a difference by enabling us to share our love of music, whether in local schools and communities or at Symphony Hall.
Thank you for your support we look forward to welcoming you. Box office: 0121 345 0603 | visit: www.cbso.co.uk
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Ways to Save Whichever concerts you fancy, and whatever the occasion, we’ve got a range of tickets to give you a good deal.
Please note that these discounts apply to CBSO-promoted concerts at Symphony Hall, Town Hall and CBSO Centre, unless otherwise stated. Special offers, discounts and concessions cannot be combined. For further details on all our discounts, please enquire when booking or go to www.cbso.co.uk.
Bulk-buy discounts CONCERT PACKAGES: Choose 3 or more concerts and simply book them all in one go to enjoy money off and a range of great benefits. (Symphony Hall and Town Hall concerts only.) Online - Tickets can be booked online at www.thsh.co.uk or www.cbso.co.uk (please note that for the discount to apply, the same number of tickets must be purchased for each concert). By phone - THSH Box Office: 0121 345 0603 Please note online booking is not currently available for concert packages. GROUPS: Bring a group of 11 or more people – family, friends, colleagues or members of a group or society – and receive a 20% discount plus one free ticket for every 10 tickets purchased (per performance). Plus take advantage of: • a free reservation facility • discounted concert programmes • chance to meet a CBSO musician at the concert • £5 tickets for accompanied children aged 16 or under • copy of the CBSO’s regular MusicStand magazine for the organiser. By phone - call group bookings FREE on 0800 358 7070 By post - write to Group Bookings, THSH Box Office, Symphony Hall, Broad Street, Birmingham B1 2EA. Please note online booking is not currently available for group bookings.
Young audiences - £5 tickets FAMILIES: CHILD TICKETS £5 Families are very welcome. Child tickets for CBSO concerts for children aged 16 or under can be purchased at £5 (except Family Concerts, where all tickets are £10) - up to three for every
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adult ticket purchased. Maximum family group of six; available in all areas, subject to availability. Family tickets can be booked by phone and in person. To check the suitability of a performance for your family, please enquire when booking. STUDENTS AND YOUNG PEOPLE: £5 Anyone in full-time education, and all young people aged 25 and under, can purchase one ticket (per performance) at the reduced price of £5, from one month before the concert date. Please note proof of eligibility will be required, and if you are booking online or by phone you will need to collect your ticket from the Box Office, on presentation of valid and suitable identification. The CBSO reserves the right to allocate these tickets in certain areas of the hall and to withdraw this discount on concerts that are selling out. SCHOOLS AND YOUTH MUSIC GROUPS: £5 A certain number of discounted tickets priced £5 per pupil/teacher (for every 10 tickets purchased you receive the 11th ticket for free) are available to schools, Youth Music Groups and any educational establishment for under 18s (including home school groups) through our Stay Tuned scheme. If you want to bring a group of young people to a concert please call Group Bookings on 0800 358 7070. To find out about other ways to get involved with the CBSO, contact our Learning and Participation team on 0121 616 6546.
On a budget £5 TICKETS FOR BENEFIT RECIPIENTS If you are in receipt of income support, job seeker’s allowance, pension credit and disability tax credit (or their future equivalents), you can purchase one ticket (per performance, at all three venues) at the reduced price of £5, from one month before the concert date. Please note proof of eligibility will be required, and if you are booking
Box office: 0121 345 0603 | visit: www.cbso.co.uk
online or by phone you will need to collect your ticket from the Box Office, on presentation of valid and suitable identification. The CBSO reserves the right to allocate these tickets in certain areas of the hall and to withdraw this discount on concerts that are selling out. BUDGET SEATS If you’re on a budget and don’t mind a seat in a less favourable area of the hall (such as restricted view), there are limited numbers of Budget seats priced at £12.50 for many (but not all) of our concerts at Symphony Hall. These are located at the back of the Grand Tier and Upper Circle, in the Stalls Terrace and at the very front of the Stalls when a stage extension is not in use. Please enquire about availability when booking by phone, or check online.
STANDBY TICKETS Under the CBSO’s standby tickets, Patrons aged 60+ receive a 10% discount (Symphony Hall/Town Hall concerts only). Holders of Birmingham City Council’s ‘Passport to Leisure’ cards can purchase Circle tickets for £28, and seats on all other levels for £20 at Symphony Hall (one ticket per Passport holder), and receive £1 off a full-price ticket at CBSO Centre. Available in person and by phone from 1pm on the day of each evening performance and 10am for matinée concerts (Symphony Hall concerts), and from CBSO Centre one hour before CBSO Centre performances. Please come early to avoid queues. All standby tickets are issued subject to availability and on production of valid and suitable identification (one standby ticket per valid identification used). Please note the CBSO reserves the right to allocate standby tickets in certain areas of the hall and to withdraw standby tickets for concerts that are selling out.
ACCESSIBILITY THSH ACCESS SCHEME FOR DISABLED PATRONS: A range of tickets – including a free ticket for disabled patrons who need the assistance of a companion – and services are available for CBSO concerts at Symphony Hall, Town Hall and CBSO Centre under THSH’s new Access Scheme. If you register on the scheme, you won’t have to tell the Box Office and venue staff about your practical needs every time you book tickets and come to a concert. To find out more, or to join the Access Scheme, please visit www.thsh.co.uk/your-visit/information-fordisabled-visitors, email boxoffice@thsh.co.uk or call 0121 780 4949. FACILITIES: For further information on facilities for patrons with disabilities, including the infra-red system for the hearing impaired, please contact Symphony Hall (for Symphony Hall/Town Hall) on 0121 780 4949 or CBSO Centre on 0121 616 6532. Receivers are available from the Performance Manager at the concert. Guide dogs welcome. WHEELCHAIR POSITIONS: Spaces for patrons who need to remain in their wheelchair during the performance are located on the Stalls & Upper Circle levels of Symphony Hall, and Stalls & Circle levels of Town Hall, and are available at CBSO Centre. Please book in advance for
Symphony Hall & Town Hall by calling 0121 780 4949 during opening hours. DROP-OFF FACILITY & PARKING FOR BLUE BADGE HOLDERS: Blue Badge holders can prebook the drop-off facility at Symphony Hall by calling 0121 780 4949. You will be issued with a ticket to present on arrival to the barrier Security Officer. NB drop-offs must be pre-booked at least 24 hours in advance. A limited number of parking spaces for disabled people driving themselves is available at Town Hall & Symphony Hall. Demand for these spaces is high: please call 0121 780 4949 to enquire about current availability and have your vehicle registration and Blue Badge number ready. Limited space is available at CBSO Centre for Blue Badge holders driving themselves. Call 0121 616 6532 in advance with your Blue Badge number and vehicle registration. Due to the demand for spaces, please note that parking reservations cannot be made for concerts for which you are not also booking tickets, or already hold tickets.
Call 0121 616 6534 for a free brochure on audio-CD.
Box office: 0121 345 0603 | visit: www.cbso.co.uk
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TICKET PRICES Please note that special prices apply to some concerts in this brochure, as follows:
SYMPHONY HALL TICKET PRICES Seating area
Evening, Friday Night Classics
Matinée
ITVW
£42*
£39*
FGJKMS
£37.50*
£32.50*
EHLNOY
£32.50*
£27.50*
C D P Q X Z ZZ Choir Chorus Boxes
£24*
£22.50*
A B R U Wheelchair positions†
£18.50*
£15*
NB Letters relate to Seating Areas (not row names), which often contain more than one row.
Wheelchair positions are available on the Stalls and Upper Circle levels in Symphony Hall, Stalls and Circle levels of Town Hall.
†
Tuned In concert, 8 March: £20* all areas, including a free programme
£12.50* Budget Seats for Symphony Hall concerts: available for selected concerts / seats, in less favourable areas of the hall. See p29 for details. *A £2.50 fee per transaction will be charged on all bookings, except purchases made in person at the Town Hall or Symphony Hall Box Office. Should you require your tickets to be posted to you, a further charge of £1 will be applied.
R
Q
Q
Z
Z ZZ
O M
P N
N
K2
Thomas Adès: New Horizons, 11 June: £20* all areas
N
K I
L
Y
L
J
J H
X
X
G
H V
G
G
H
W
F
U
V
U
T
T
V
B A
E C
E C A
S
Chorus Boxes
T
D D
E C
V
T
V
A S
Choir
Choir
Choir
Choir
Choir
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Schools Concerts: £5* per ticket for children, teachers, and homeschooling children and parents. To book: please call Group Bookings on 0800 358 7070.
D B
Family Concerts: £10* all areas / Group of 4: £32* Youth Orchestra Concerts: £20* all areas
F E V
Der Rosenkavalier, 24 May: £24.50*, £32.50*, £39.50*, £47.50*, £55*
P
N Y
Silent Movie, 9 May: £10*, £15*, £17.50*, £20*, £24.50*, £27.50*, £30* Special seating plan applies. CBSO Benevolent Fund, 11 May: £20*, £27.50*, £35*, £42*, £50*
Q
ZZ
Singalong with the CBSO, 9 February: #Singer £22* / #Singer including score hire £29*. Audience £12* #If you’re singing please book in advance by phone or in person to tell the Box Office your voice type.
Box office: 0121 345 0603 | visit: www.cbso.co.uk
Chorus Boxes
Through our Stay Tuned programme, receive further discounted school tickets and enjoy activities throughout the year to enhance students’ concert-going experiences. Contact education@cbso.co.uk / 0121 616 6546 to find out more.
CBSO CENTRE TICKET PRICES CBSO Centre is a flexible auditorium with unreserved seating. Centre Stage: £9.50* unless otherwise marked.
VENUE ADDRESSES: Symphony Hall, Broad Street, Birmingham B1 2EA Town Hall, Victoria Square, Birmingham B3 3DQ CBSO Centre, Berkley Street, Birmingham B1 2LF
Notelets: £7.50* / £25* group of 4. Book 3 Notelets concerts in one go by phone or in person and save 20%.
BOOKING INFORMATION How to Book Online - www.cbso.co.uk/concerts Please note not all discounts are available online; see the discount information on pp28–9. By phone - THSH Box Office: 0121 345 0603 In person - Symphony Hall Box Office: 10am–6pm Monday to Saturday & 12pm–4pm Sunday & Bank Holidays. Opening hours may be extended on concert days. By minicom - 0121 644 6140 How to Pay By credit/debit card: MasterCard, Visa, Maestro and Amex. By cheque: please make cheque payable to ‘Performances Birmingham Limited’. If you wish to send a cheque in the post but are unsure of the total amount, please call the box office to discuss your booking. NB: cheque payment no longer available for door sales at CBSO Centre. PLEASE DO NOT SEND CASH THROUGH THE POST.
CONCERTS BY COACH The CBSO offers coach services from Cheltenham (selected weekday matinées) and Lichfield / Sutton Coldfield (selected Wednesday evenings). Please call 0121 616 6544 for more information. In addition, the following coach schemes are organised by regular concert-goers: Church Stretton and District: Contact Graham Heath on 01694 722216 heath@knollcrest.co.uk Leominster & Hereford: Contact Mary Seldon on 01885 482543 mary.seldon@googlemail.com Ludlow and District Theatre & Arts Group (South Shropshire Concerts Coach): Contact Bronwen Coldwell on 01584 831323 Newport Music Coach (Newport, Telford, Shropshire): Contact Anita Davies on 01952 813340 newportmusicbus@btconnect.com Shropshire & Mid-Wales: Contact Frank North on 01743 790400 ponthill@yahoo.co.uk • www.artsforall.info DATA PROTECTION: Once you have booked tickets for a CBSO concert, your contact details will be held on the CBSO’s and THSH’s marketing databases and, from time to time, you may receive details from both organisations about their future activities, using any of the contact methods you provided, unless you specify otherwise when booking. RETURNS & RESALES: Tickets are accepted at the discretion of the Box Office but all CBSO sales take priority. There is a service charge of 10% of the face value and money resulting from a resale will be forwarded by gift voucher. LOST TICKETS: There is a £2 charge for printing duplicate tickets.
City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra, CBSO Centre, Berkley Street, Birmingham B1 2LF Tel: 0121 616 6500 • Fax: 0121 616 6518 • www.cbso.co.uk Registered in England no. 1262018. Registered Charity no. 506276 All performance timings are approximate. The information in this brochure was correct at the time of going to press. The CBSO reserves the right to alter programmes and artists without notice. All tickets subject to availability. Design: wow! creative, 01237 520001, and Helen Tabor, CBSO Publications Manager; concert descriptions: Richard Bratby. This brochure is manufactured from pulp containing 50% recycled fibres. Photos: CBSO photos by Mysticpuma, Mysticpuma@gmail.com. p3: John Wilson - Sim Canetty Clarke; p9: family concert - Mat Beckett; p10: Gabriela Montero - Colin Bell; p11: Peter Donohoe - Sussie Ahlburg; p14: Simon Lamsma - Otto van den Toorn; p16: Sir Simon Rattle - Simon Fowler; p19: Andris Nelsons Marco Borggreve; p20: Håkan Hardenberger - Marco Borggreve; p21: Thomas Adès - Brian Voice; p22: Barbara Hannigan - Elmer de Haas; p23: Paul Lewis Josep Molina/Harmonia Mundi; p25: Klaus Florian Vogt - www.AlexLipp.de.
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Thank you The incredible support we receive from thousands of individual donors, public funders, businesses and private foundations allows us to maintain our extraordinary performances and continue to create exciting activities in schools and communities. Your support makes such a difference and is much appreciated. Corporate Supporters
Partners
Major Sponsors 93 years of enlightened support
Major Supporter of CBSO Schools Programme
Gold Patrons
Academic Partner
Partners in Orchestral Development
Broadcast partner:
Silver Patrons Birmingham Music Education Partnership
Bronze Patrons
Baker Tilly
Deloitte
Marriott Birmingham
Supporters
William King Ltd
Thank you also to our many Chair Endowers, Music Director’s Circle members, Benefactors, Patrons and Friends for their generous support.
Supporter of Centre Stage
Associated Architects Genesys Human Resource Solutions Menzies Nunn Ltd
Trusts & Foundations MFPA Trust Esmée Fairbairn Foundation The Saintbury Trust Charles Henry Foyle Trust Grimmitt Trust The Justham Trust Perry Family Charitable Trust City of Birmingham Orchestral Endowment Fund Andor Charitable Trust J Paul Getty Jnr Charitable Trust Baron Davenport’s Charity The R.C. and F. M. Young Trust The Bevis Foundation Garfield Weston Foundation Beatrice A V Cadman Charitable Trust Douglas Turner Foundation Wilmcote Charitrust G J W Turner Trust Misses C M Pearson & M V Williams CT Allan & Nesta Ferguson Charitable Trust Bernarr Rainbow Trust Daiwa Anglo-Japanese Foundation Grantham Yorke Trust Eveson Charitable Trust S & D Lloyd Charity Lord Austin Trust Angus Allnatt Foundation George Fentham Trust
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Dumbreck Charity Bryant Trust Penny Trust Edward & Dorothy Cadbury Trust George Henry Collins Charity Lillie C Johnson Charitable Trust W E Dunn Trust Sir Cliff Richard Charitable Trust Birmingham Bodenham Trust Joseph Hopkins Charity 1000th Man Charitable Trust Matthew Hodder Charitable Trust Charles Brotherton Trust