Meet the Orchestra

We want you to have a completely brilliant experience at every CBSO concert. To make your visit as enjoyable and stress-free as possible, we’ve pulled together some of the questions people have about coming along.

DO I NEED TO KNOW ABOUT THE MUSIC IN ADVANCE? Not at all! Just come along with open ears and an open mind and let the music do the rest... but if you would like to find out more, free digital programmes are available on our website a couple of days before the concert. WHAT SHOULD I WEAR? There’s no dress code for CBSO concerts, so please wear whatever you feel most comfortable in. CAN I GET A DRINK? Drinks can be purchased from the bars before the concert and at the interval and can be taken into the concert hall.

HOW DO I KNOW WHEN TO CLAP? There are no set rules, though many audience members do wait until the end of a piece before clapping. Certain pieces are separated into movements – with a short pause in the music – during which some audience members choose not to applaud.

CAN I TAKE PHOTOGRAPHS?

We are happy for you to take photos during performances, and we’d love for you to tag us on social media @TheCBSO – but please do be discreet to avoid disturbing other audience members. Please note that filming and flash photography are not allowed. HOW LONG DOES A PERFORMANCE LAST? Most of our concerts last approximately 2 hours, including a 20-minute interval, unless otherwise stated.

ARE THE CONCERTS EXPENSIVE? The cost of concerts depends on where you choose to sit, with full-price tickets starting at £26. However, we do have lots of amazing ways to save including £10 tickets for new attenders and those aged 18-30, and £5 tickets for students, under 18s, and benefit recipients (full details can be found on p.27).

If you have any other questions about coming to see the CBSO, please feel free to get in touch with us – we promise there’s no such thing as a daft question!

You can find us @thecbso on Instagram, Facebook, TikTok and Twitter. Or contact the team via email at info@cbso.co.uk or by calling 0121 616 6500.

THE PLANETS

Enjoy the sounds of a galaxy not so far away! Inspired by Holst’s fascination with astrology, his famous Planets Suite is an exhilarating musical journey around our solar system, from warlike Mars to mystical Neptune. Plus, a rare chance to hear Tchaikovsky’s brilliant Piano Concerto No. 2 – expect glittering fireworks from the keyboard.

WHEN: Wednesday 1 February 2023, 7.30pm & Thursday 2 February 2023, 2.15pm WHERE: Symphony Hall, Birmingham TICKETS: £26, £36, £46, £56 (find ways to save on p.27)

PERFORMERS Kazuki Yamada - Conductor Alexandre Kantorow - Piano

CBSO Youth Chorus

MUSIC Tchaikovsky Piano Concerto No. 2, 40mins 20-MINUTE INTERVAL Holst The Planets, 55mins

Kazuki Yamada

Photo: Benjamin Ealovega Listen Here

WHERE HAVE I HEARD THIS BEFORE?

The ‘Mars’ movement of The Planets inspired several ominous themes in the original Star Wars and the Rugby World Cup borrows the main tune of ‘Jupiter’ for its ‘World in Union’ theme. You might also have spotted Wallace’s dog Gromit listening to “The Plant Suite” in The Curse of the Were-Rabbit!

LICENCE TO THRILL: THE VERY BEST OF BOND

Brush off your tuxedo and let us pour you a martini as the CBSO brings all the glitz and glamour of 007 to Symphony Hall. We’re celebrating Britain’s bestloved secret agent and the soundtracks that have accompanied his heroic swagger for six decades. Bringing together the finest Bond themes and songs, from Goldfinger and A View to a Kill to Skyfall and Spectre, this concert is guaranteed to leave you shaken... and stirred!

WHEN: Friday 10 February 2023, 7.30pm WHERE: Symphony Hall, Birmingham TICKETS: £26, £36, £46, £56 (find ways to save on p.27)

PERFORMERS Michael Seal - Conductor Lance Ellington and Anna-Jane Casey - Vocalists