WHAT’S ON
FEBRUARY
BOOK ONLINE: thsh.co.uk
WHAT’S ON AT TOWN HALL SYMPHONY HALL RESIDENT ORCHESTRA
ASSOCIATE ARTISTS
City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra
Ex Cathedra, Birmingham City Organist Thomas Trotter, Black Voices
Certain events by Resident Orchestra or Associate Artists are included in respective concert packages. Contact the Box Office for more information.
HOW TO BOOK By phone: 0121 780 3333
Online: www.thsh.co.uk
In person: Town Hall Box Office is open two hours before the start time of a performance. Symphony Hall Box Office, in the ICC is open 10am – 6pm (Monday – Saturday). Closed Sundays and Bank Holidays except when there is an event (open two hours before event starts).
DISCOUNTS & PACKAGES
HOW TO REACH US
For more details visit thsh.co.uk
NOT NORMAL – NOT OK Town Hall Symphony Hall are proud to support the Not Normal – Not OK campaign, to encourage safety and respect within live music venues.
Town Hall is located in Victoria Square, Birmingham, B3 3DQ.
Symphony Hall is located within the International Convention Centre, 8 Centenary Square, Broad Street, Birmingham, B1 2EA. For further information visit www.thsh.co.uk/your-visit Funded by
2
Town Hall renovation also funded by
BOOK BY PHONE: 0121 780 3333
BOOK NOW 0121 780 3333 www.thsh.co.uk
Sat 1
7:30PM
Symphony Hall
THE MUSICAL BOX – A GENESIS EXTRAVAGANZA – PART II LIMITED AVAILABILITY
The Musical Box returns for an intense trip of their own imagining... into the world of early Genesis with Part II of A Genesis Extravaganza.
Sun 2
2:30PM Town Hall
CITY OF BIRMINGHAM ORCHESTRA PRESENT FAMILY CONCERT – WE GOT RHYTHM
Join the CBSO’s incredible percussion section as they go... well, a bit wild! If you can hit it, crash it, smash it or beat it, they can turn it into pure musical energy in this explosively fun concert for all the family, in the round at Town Hall.
Tue 4
7:30PM Symphony Hall
TOWN HALL SYMPHONY HALL PRESENTS BIRMINGHAM CLASSICAL: GOLDMUND QUARTET
This dynamic young German group begin their ECHO recital with Haydn – always fun – but they’ve also commissioned a new piece from Birmingham favourite Dobrinka Tabakova. 9:20PM Symphony Hall
TOWN HALL SYMPHONY HALL PRESENTS BIRMINGHAM CLASSICAL: POST-CONCERT CONVERSATION WITH GOLDMUND QUARTET FREE EVENT
Discover more as guests from the Birmingham Classical 2019/2020 season discuss their lives, programme and influences at these free Pre- and PostConcert Conversations.
Wed 5
Thu 6
12PM
Town Hall
BRING YOUR OWN BABY COMEDY
Bring Your Own Baby Comedy is the UK’s premier baby friendly comedy club, this month with Tom Taylor, Harriet Dyer and MC Chris Purchase.
7:30PM Town Hall
JOHN SHUTTLEWORTH’S BACK
2:15PM Symphony Hall
CITY OF BIRMINGHAM SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA PRESENT NICOLA BENEDETTI: TCHAIKOVSKY
John Shuttleworth returns to regale audiences with an evening of his classic songs (plus new ones and hilarious ‘back’ stories), pausing only to reapply his deep heat rub!
Klaus Mäkelä is one of Europe’s fastest-rising conductors; imagine the energy when he joins the nation’s favourite violinist Nicola Benedetti in the endless melody and dazzling fireworks of Tchaikovsky’s much-loved Violin Concerto.
Fri 7
Sat 8
5PM
ICC Hall 5
JAZZLINES FREE GIGS: ARTIST TBA FREE EVENT
Jazzlines Free Gigs are designed to help you get that Friday feeling. Unwind in the bar after a long week to the sensational sounds of talented jazz musicians. 7:30PM Symphony Hall
TRANSATLANTIC SESSIONS 2020
7PM
CITY OF BIRMINGHAM SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA PRESENT NICOLA BENEDETTI: TCHAIKOVSKY
Symphony Hall
The 17th live edition of the Transatlantic Sessions once again highlights the format’s evergreen fruitfulness, with a fresh cross-generational array of Scottish, Irish and US special guests joining the regular all-star instrumental line-up.
Klaus Mäkelä is one of Europe’s fastest-rising conductors; imagine the energy when he joins the nation’s favourite violinist Nicola Benedetti in the endless melody and dazzling fireworks of Tchaikovsky’s much-loved Violin Concerto.
8:30PM Town Hall
BIRMINGHAM SWING FESTIVAL’S GRAND BALL
Come along to Birmingham Town Hall and grab a seat in the circle to witness an incredible night of social swing dancing, performances and competitions.
BOOK ONLINE: thsh.co.uk
3
Sun 9
7:30PM Symphony Hall
BETH HART LIMITED AVAILABILITY
Mon 10
1PM
LUNCHTIME ORGAN CONCERT: THOMAS TROTTER – 800TH RECITAL If the organ is the King of Instruments, Birmingham City Organist Thomas Trotter is surely a prince amongst organists. Today he reaches an extraordinary landmark: his 800th solo recital.
8PM
Tue 11
Symphony Hall
Beth Hart is as real as it gets. In a music industry full of glossy production and airbrushed photoshoots, this is one artist who throws down her cards, shares her darkest secrets and invites you to join her for the ride.
Symphony Hall
7:30PM Symphony Hall
EMILIA MÅRTENSSON
London based Swedish vocalist and composer Emilia Mårtensson performs work from her latest album LOREDANA on the Symphony Hall stage.
TOWN HALL SYMPHONY HALL PRESENTS BIRMINGHAM CLASSICAL: ICELAND SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA – SIBELIUS NO 1 Under chief conductor Yan Pascal Tortelier, there’s a French accent: and pianist Jean-Efflam Bavouzet is unbeatable in Ravel’s volcanic concerto. But there are powerful Nordic sounds from Anna Thorvaldsdottir, too.
8:30PM Jam House
JAZZLINES PRESENT MADI SASKIA
Socially conscious with an R’n’B twang, Smethwick-based singer-songwriter Madi Saskia is one of the most exciting talents to emerge from the Birmingham creative scene.
Wed 12
7:30PM Symphony Hall
GREASE IN CONCERT – FILM WITH LIVE ORCHESTRA
Thu 13
7:30PM Symphony Hall
CITY OF BIRMINGHAM SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA PRESENT SCHUBERT’S GREAT
For the first time ever, one of the world’s most popular and enduring musical films in history, Grease, will be performed live with orchestra on a UK tour in 2020.
CBSO introduces Juanjo Mena and welcomes Leila Josefowicz back to Birmingham in the heart-rending concerto that Alban Berg dedicated “to the memory of an angel”.
Fri 14
5PM
JAZZLINES FREE GIGS: TOBY BOALCH TRIO FREE EVENT
ICC Hall 5
Birmingham based pianist Toby Boalch presents his trio with longstanding collaborators Nick Jurd on double bass and Euan Palmer on drums.
7:30PM Town Hall
FISHERMAN’S FRIENDS SOLD OUT
7:30PM Symphony Hall
A VALENTINE’S CELEBRATION OF MUSIC AND DANCE WITH BIRMINGHAM ROYAL BALLET & THE ROYAL BALLET SINFONIA
Cornwall’s best-known musical export, the Fisherman’s Friends have also been the subject of an ITV documentary, released the hit albums One and All (2013), Proper Job (2015) and Sole Mates (2018) and every year play to tens of thousands of fans at home and abroad.
Celebrate Valentine’s weekend in the company of our world-class dancers and internationally acclaimed orchestra, the Royal Ballet Sinfonia.
Sat 15
4
12:30PM Town Hall & 3PM
PEPPA PIG: MY FIRST CONCERT
7:30PM Symphony Hall
QUEEN SYMPHONIC LIMITED AVAILABILITY
From Mozart to Muddy Puddles! Peppa Pig – My First Concert is a fun interactive introduction to a live orchestra with everyone’s favourite Pig family! Experience the unforgettable magic of Queen, in a rock and symphonic spectacular celebrating the greatest hits of Queen and featuring four rock vocalists who starred in We Will Rock You and a five piece rock band and symphony orchestra!
BOOK BY PHONE: 0121 780 3333
A MILESTONE PERFORMANCE FOR CITY ORGANIST By Diane Parkes
Birmingham City Organist Thomas Trotter will perform a milestone concert at Symphony Hall in February – when he plays his 800th recital. Thomas has now reached more than 35 years as city organist after he was chosen for the role when he was just 26. And, he says, his appointment did cause a bit of a stir back then. “I think there were some raised eyebrows at the time because of me only being 26, but the City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra had recently appointed Simon Rattle and I think there was a push in the city to appoint younger musicians,” he recalls. As Birmingham City Organist, Thomas plays around 20 concerts a year across Town Hall and Symphony Hall – including the much-loved Lunchtime Organ Concerts at Town Hall. “I love the tradition of the Town Hall. I love old buildings and you’re really aware of tradition and of the musicians who have been there before – all those Mendelssohn and Elgar premieres,” he says. “Symphony Hall is very different. It was built 30 years ago and the organ was only installed in 2001 so there’s a newness and glitziness which is very exciting. It’s also a much bigger hall with more than 2,000 seats. “They are the main classical music venues in Birmingham and the work they do to promote classical music in Birmingham is so important.” Looking back over the past three decades, Thomas says he’s grateful to THSH for giving him so many opportunities to develop the role of Birmingham City Organist. “They gave me a platform from which to play. I feel very fortunate to have occupied this position for so long and it gives me a platform from which to experiment and try out new repertoire. “My predecessor George Thalben-Ball held the post for 34 years and I remember when I first started thinking I would never reach that – and now I’ve done 36 years!” Thomas Trotter performs his 800th Recital at 1pm on Monday 10 February at Symphony Hall. 5
Sun 16
10AM, Town Hall 12:30PM & 3PM
PEPPA PIG: MY FIRST CONCERT
3PM
BIG BAND BROADWAY
From Mozart to Muddy Puddles! Peppa Pig – My First Concert is a fun interactive introduction to a live orchestra with everyone’s favourite Pig family!
Symphony Hall
Martin and Shirlie Kemp are joined by legendary Broadway music-man Larry Blank, the London Concert Orchestra and sensational vocalists Rachel Tucker and Matt Ford as they guide you through an exciting concert.
Mon 17Wed 19
10AM – Town Hall 4PM
JAZZLINES FEBRUARY HALF-TERM SESSIONS
Wed 19
7:30PM Town Hall
THE CLASSIC ROCK SHOW 2020
7:30PM Symphony Hall
CITY BIRMINGHAM SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA PRESENT RESPIGHI’S ROMAN TRILOGY
Pianist and composer, Rebecca Nash to lead this year’s Jazzlines February Half Term sessions. The Classic Rock Show returns to the UK in early 2020 with an amazing new live production celebrating the very best of the best of Classic Rock.
Kazuki Yamada is our guide today – but first, he joins the award-wining Vilde Frang in Shostakovich’s film noir thriller of a Violin Concerto.
Thu 20
2:15PM Symphony Hall
CITY BIRMINGHAM SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA PRESENT RESPIGHI’S ROMAN TRILOGY
Kazuki Yamada is our guide today – but first, he joins the award-winning Vilde Frang in Shostakovich’s film noir thriller of a Violin Concerto.
8PM
Symphony Hall
BRUM CRAIC – FIRST BIRTHDAY
It’s Brum Craic’s first Birthday! What better way to celebrate than welcoming back MC James Cook, along with a host of amazing up-and-coming new acts.
Fri 21
5PM
JAZZLINES FREE GIGS: ALEX WOODS QUINTET FREE EVENT
ICC Hall 5
Alex Woods is an accomplished and multi award winning saxophonist, composer and arranger from Birmingham.
7:30PM Symphony Hall
CITY BIRMINGHAM SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA PRESENT SOUNDS OF THE 1920S
The Roaring Twenties: the decade of flappers, cocktails, and the Charleston, when the whole world danced to the wild new rhythms of jazz.
Sat 22
8PM
Town Hall
MIDGE URE – VIENNA & VISAGE – THE 1980 TOUR SOLD OUT
7PM
Town Hall
TOWN HALL SYMPHONY HALL PRESENTS BIRMINGHAM CLASSICAL: MAHAN ESFAHANI IN-THE-ROUND
Brought to life by Midge Ure and Band Electronica, this is the very first time in the 40 years since it was made that the Vienna album will be performed in its entirety.
For Mahan Esfahani, the harpsichord has never been a historic instrument. Everything he plays buzzes with the same irrepressible energy and intelligence. 9:30PM Town Hall
TOWN HALL SYMPHONY HALL PRESENTS BIRMINGHAM CLASSICAL: POST-CONCERT CONVERSATION WITH HARPISCHORD PLAYER MAHAN ESFAHANI FREE EVENT
Discover more as guests from the Birmingham Classical 2019/2020 season discuss their lives, programme and influences at these free Pre- and PostConcert Conversations.
6
BOOK BY PHONE: 0121 780 3333
Sun 23
11AM
Town Hall
THE AMAZING BUBBLEMAN
3PM
Symphony Hall
CITY BIRMINGHAM SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA PRESENT CBSO YOUTH ORCHESTRA: ELGAR’S SYMPHONY NO. 1
Louis Pearl has been thrilling audiences worldwide for over 30 years with the art, magic, science and fun of bubbles.
The CBSO Youth Orchestra represents our massive hope in the musical future: and today Kazuki Yamada steers them through wondrous new worlds of emotion.
Mon 24
1PM
Tue 25
7:30PM Town Hall
REBECCA FERGUSON
8PM
THE BOYS ARE BACK! 5IVE/A1/DAMAGE/911
Thu 27
Town Hall
Symphony Hall
2:15PM Symphony Hall
LUNCHTIME ORGAN CONCERT – THOMAS TROTTER
Hear one of Britain’s most widely admired musicians perform Mozart’s Adagio & Allegro in F minor, K 594. Following her sold out tour last year British singer/songwriter Rebecca Ferguson returns perform all her greatest hits and songs from her forthcoming album, live in concert. The boys are back! Catch 5ive, A1, Damage and 911 brings you a hit-packed show of pop classics. Four acts, one unforgettable night!
CITY BIRMINGHAM SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA PRESENT WALTON’S VIOLA CONCERTO
Michael Seal travels from the cherry blossom of John Foulds’ April – England to the glittering streets of Vaughan Williams’ A London Symphony and Lise Berthaud finds the dark heart of Walton’s smouldering Viola Concerto.
Fri 28
5PM
ICC Hall 5
JAZZLINES FREE GIGS: ARTIST TBA FREE EVENT
Jazzlines Free Gigs are designed to help you get that Friday feeling. Unwind in the bar after a long week to the sensational sounds of talented jazz musicians. 7:30PM Symphony Hall
CITY BIRMINGHAM SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA PRESENT A NIGHT ON BROADWAY
It’s Friday night on Broad Street – so step onto Broadway, where stars are born and dreams really do come true. Singers straight from the West End take the stage at Symphony Hall tonight. 8PM
Town Hall
MARK KINGSWOOD
More than just a talented crooner making his way through the Great American Songbook, Mark Kingswood’s unique talent lies in forming elegant and classy songs, reminiscent of Sinatra and The Rat Pack, while also injecting a 21st century tone and lyricism.
Sat 29
7PM
Symphony Hall
CITY BIRMINGHAM SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA PRESENT A LONDON SYMPHONY
Michael Seal travels from the verdant fields of John Foulds’ April – England to the bustling streets of Vaughan Williams’ A London Symphony; and introduces a haunting new choral masterpiece by Gary Carpenter.
7:30PM Town Hall
FASCINATING AÏDA SOLD OUT
Dillie Keane, Adèle Anderson and Liza Pulman will perform a selection of old favourites, songs you haven’t heard before and some you wish you’d never heard in the first place. The songs are hilarious and topical – the glamour is unstoppable.
BOOK ONLINE: thsh.co.uk
7
S
llo tay f w on Su in Fa tton tou ce B c bo oo h! ok kF es t
Fo
Saturday 29th February 2020 Meet Jacqueline Wilson and Nick Sharratt at Sutton Coldfield Town Hall All day at Sutton Coldfield Library will be: • Meesha Makes Friends with Tom Percival • Fabio Flamingo draw-along with Laura James and Emily Fox • The Tiger Who Came to Tea Tea Parties • Doctor Who Script-Writing Workshop • Mystery Writing Workshop • Where's Wally trail ...plus cartoons, funny poetry and storytelling
TICKET HOTLINE: 0121 780 3333 www.suttoncoldfieldbookfest.com
Sutton Coldfield BookFest belongs to the Bournville BookFest family of brilliant children's book festivals