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Joe Satriani plus very special guest Paul Gilbert
Mon 12 May 2008 Symphony Hall
Joe Satriani, one of rock music’s most renowned electric guitarists, will undertake a UK tour starting Monday 12th May 2008 at Symphony Hall. Joe Satriani has been a worldwide guitar hero since his 1986 breakthrough album, _Surfing With The Alien_. Over 10-million albums and CD’s later, in addition to 13 Grammy nominations including this year for his latest studio release _Super Colossal_, Joe continues to push the envelope of modern rock guitar playing. Although he originally started his career by teaching some of the top rock guitar players of the '80s and '90s, Joe Satriani is universally hailed as the most technically accomplished and respected guitar player in the history of rock music. Satriani, who cites Jimi Hendrix as a major influence, quickly established his reputation as one of the most important electric rock guitarists of the decade. Paul Gilbert, is recognised as brilliant guitar player, both as soloist and within the bands he is best known by. Gilbert first became known for his work with Racer X and went on to platinum success with Mr. Big who topped the pop charts in 1992 with the ballad _To Be with You._ A recent poll of the Top 100 Greatest Rock Guitarists ranked Satriani at # 7 and Gilbert at #14.
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Symphonic Dances
Wed 14 May 2008 Symphony Hall
Simon Holt’s new Percussion Concerto offers a vivid and quirky portrait of the composer's childhood memories of his great uncle, who was a taxidermist: with movement titles such as ‘fly’, ‘skennin’ Mary’ and ‘a drawer full of eyes’, it is sure to offer up a few surprises! The solo part is taken by a brilliant young Scottish percussionist who has already performed with orchestras all around the world. Martyn Brabbins shows off his special affinity with Russian music in a centenary tribute to Rimsky-Korsakov in the shape of the colourful suite from his fairy-tale opera, and in Rachmaninov’s last orchestral work, the thrilling Symphonic Dances. 6.15pm pre-concert talk
Martyn Brabbins conductor Colin Currie percussion
Rimsky-Korsakov: The Golden Cockerel • Suite 24' Holt: A Table of Noises (World premiere) 21' Rachmaninov: Symphonic Dances 36'
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Rachmaninov's Second Symphony Russian State Symphony Orchestra
Thu 15 May Symphony Hall
In its heart-felt lyricism and inexhaustible stream of melody, the Second Symphony is one of the most emotionally charged of all Rachmaninov's works. It is heard next to the youthful fire of his First Piano Concerto and Prokofiev's dazzling suite from the opera The Love for Three Oranges. The Russian State Symphony Orchestra have this music in their blood and bring a truly authentic passion to their performances. Classic FM's Anne-Marie Minhall says of tonight's recommended concert: _" Expect some musical fireworks as Dmitri Alexeev takes on Rachmaninov's earliest work. The composer produced his First Piano Concerto when he was still a teenager training at the Conservatoire in Moscow, but he altered it radically nearly thirty years later and this is the version we hear today."_
*Mark Gorenstein* Conductor *Dmitri Alexeev* Piano
*Tchaikovsky* The Snow Maiden (excerpts) *Rachmaninov* Piano Concerto No 1 27' *Rachmaninov* Symphony No 2 60'
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Rush Hour Blues Frank Moon's Desert Groove Ensemble
Fri 16 May Symphony Hall
Level 3 Bar. Admission FREE. Presented in association with "Birmingham Jazz":http://birminghamjazz.co.uk
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The Fron Male Voice Choir
Fri 16 May Symphony Hall
*Voices of the Valley Encore* The Fron Male Voice Choir follow the release of their second album _Encore_ with a UK tour. The Choir’s debut, _Voices of the Valley_, became the best-selling classical album of 2006. Fron’s follow-up presents another carefully selected musical mix. Such indestructible popular classics as _Bridge Over Troubled Water_ and Paul McCartney’s _Yesterday_ nestle alongside _How Great Thou Art_, _Amazing Grace_ and _Guide Me O Thou Great Redeemer_. There’s something for everybody, but always sprinkled with that indefinable Welsh mystique! £20, £27.50
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Sax in the City Featuring Andy Hamilton and the Blue Notes
Sat 17 May Symphony Hall
In Level 3 Bar
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Favourites from the Opera City of Birmingham Choir
Sat 17 May Symphony Hall
A night of great passions, great music and great singing. From the splendour of Egyptian pomp, through haunting Sea Interludes, an entertainment for a Russian Prince, the heartbreak of the American deep south to the fiery passions of a Spanish Gypsy girl, all are here for a night to remember! The concert will end at approximately 9.30pm
*Maureen Brathwaite* Soprano *Roderick Earle* Bass *City of Birmingham Choir* *City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra* *Adrian Lucas* Conductor
*Verdi* Triumphal Scene from Aida *Britten* Four Sea Interludes from Peter Grimes *Gershwin* Porgy and Bess (Concert Version) *Borodin* Polovtsian Dances *Bizet* Concert Suite from Carmen
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Worcestershire Youth Music Gala concert 2008
Sun 18 May Symphony Hall
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Chant d'Amour
Tue 20 May Symphony Hall
There is nothing else in the whole of classical music to compare with the experience of hearing Messiaen’s amazing Turangalîla Symphony live. A larger-than-life tribute to the cosmic power of love, it features a massive orchestra and major solos for piano and ondes martenot, the other-worldly electronic instrument that was this composer’s speciality. It is conducted in the composer’s centenary year by Ilan Volkov, who has built a very strong reputation in large-scale 20th-century scores. We also begin a three-week Janácek focus with Taras Bulba, his stirring triptych telling of the battles and ultimate death of a Ukrainian Cossack hero. 6.15pm pre-concert talk
Ilan Volkov conductor Steven Osborne piano Cynthia Millar ondes martenot
Janácek: Taras Bulba 23' Messiaen: Turangalîla-Symphonie 76'
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Teatro Sings The Magic of the Musicals plus very special guests **CANCELLED**
Change of DateWed 21 May Symphony Hall
Take the outstanding vocal talent of four good looking young men and a unique collection of timeless classics from musical theatre and you have all the ingredients for the success of Teatro. Already billed as Theatreland’s first supergroup, they captivated the nation with their stunning rendition of ‘I Dreamed A Dream’ on the 79th Royal Variety Performance and their debut album, simply entitled Teatro has achieved gold disc status. Join them and their special guests as they celebrate great anthems from a century of musicals. £21.50, £24.50, £26.50 *This concert has been postponed with no future date currently confirmed. We apologise for any inconvenience this may cause.*
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Chant d'Amour
Thu 22 May Symphony Hall
There is nothing else in the whole of classical music to compare with the experience of hearing Messiaen’s amazing Turangalîla Symphony live. A larger-than-life tribute to the cosmic power of love, it features a massive orchestra and major solos for piano and ondes martenot, the other-worldly electronic instrument that was this composer’s speciality. It is conducted in the composer’s centenary year by Ilan Volkov, who has built a very strong reputation in large-scale 20th-century scores. We also begin a three-week Janácek focus with Taras Bulba, his stirring triptych telling of the battles and ultimate death of a Ukrainian Cossack hero. 6.15pm pre-concert talk
Ilan Volkov conductor Steven Osborne piano Cynthia Millar ondes martenot
Janácek: Taras Bulba 23' Messiaen: Turangalîla-Symphonie 76'
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Rush Hour Blues Steve Ajao Quartet
Fri 23 May Symphony Hall
Level 3 Bar. Admission FREE. Presented in association with "Birmingham Jazz":http://birminghamjazz.co.uk
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Buena Vista Social Club™ presents Guajiro Mirabal, Cachaito Lopez, Manuel Galban, Aguaje Ramos
Fri 23 May Symphony Hall
*Due to demand. The Choir benches behind the stage are now on sale priced at £22.50* An extraordinary line-up of Buena Vista Social Club™ stalwarts, together in a 12 piece band direct from Havana, returns to Symphony Hall to present some of the finest Cuban music ever made. This unique concert will take audiences on a musical excursion from the original 1996 Buena Vista Social Club™ recordings, which sold over 7 million copies, up to the present day, and transport you to the heat of Cuba’s clubs and dancehalls. "..taking the atmosphere up to a breathless level" The Independent "..left audiences awe-struck" Financial Times "This was a pulsating display" The Times "A truly memorable evening from some genuinely inspirational musical stars" Cambridge Evening News
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Martha Wainwright plus special guests
Sat 24 May Symphony Hall
It's been three busy years since Martha released her eponymous debut album of confessional, fearless songs. And in that time, she's toured her songs internationally many times and watched them sweep up acclaim and awards. She's made music with The Who's Pete Townshend, Damon Albarn's Africa Express and Snow Patrol, with whom she scored a top 20 hit. Now she’s back with a second record that’s both tender and tought, beautiful and brutal and simmering with invention.
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The Zombies & The Yardbirds in concert
Sun 25 May Symphony Hall
Rock legends The Zombies (Colin Blunstone, Rod Argent, Keith Airey, Jim Rodford & Steve Rodford) and The Yardbirds (Chris Dreja, Jim McCarty, Ben King, John Idan & Billy Boy Miskimmin) come together in one explosive concert. As part of “The British Invasion” in the 1960s, following The Beatles in 1964 The Zombies were the second UK group to score an American No.1 hit. The Yardbirds famed for laying the groundwork for rock guitar as we know it spawned three of the greatest rock guitarists of all time: Eric Clapton, Jeff Beck and Jimmy Page. £21.50, £24.50, £26.50
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Czech Mates: Military Symphony
Wed 28 May Symphony Hall
The young Czech conductor Jakub Hru°sˇa has been making a name for himself all over Europe in recent seasons, and for his CBSO debut he conducts a varied programme including music from his homeland. We continue our Janácˇek series with the Suite from his comic-book opera set among the forest wildlife, and you also have an all-too-rare opportunity to hear a set of Dvorˇák’s Slavonic Dances played as part of a concert rather than as encores! Haydn was the only major composer to write anywhere near a hundred symphonies • and this is a real gem. Tchaikovsky’s barn-storming overture completes a fun programme.
Jakub Hrusa conductor
Dvorák: Three Slavonic Dances 15' Haydn: Symphony No. 100 (Military) 28' Janácek: The Cunning Little Vixen • Suite 20' Tchaikovsky: 1812 Overture 18'
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Rush Hour Blues Quiver
Fri 30 May Symphony Hall
Level 3 Bar. Admission FREE. Presented in association with "Birmingham Jazz":http://birminghamjazz.co.uk
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Battles On The Ice: Military Symphony
Sat 31 May Symphony Hall
Throughout history the Russian people have taken great pride in their ability to defend the Motherland from foreign invasion, and Russian composers have also been quick to immortalise these victories in music. Tonight we hear two of the best works thus inspired: Tchaikovsky’s patriotic Overture celebrates the victory over Napoleon in 1812, while Prokofiev’s Cantata (based on his music for Eisenstein’s famous film) depicts a legendary medieval battle between a Russian prince and the invading Teutonic knights. Haydn’s music is rather less warlike, but he incorporates the sounds of the military into his 100th Symphony with typical wit and charm. 5.45pm pre-concert talk
Jakub Hrusa conductor Elena Manistina mezzo soprano City of Birmingham Symphony Chorus
Tchaikovsky: 1812 Overture 18' Haydn: Symphony No. 100 (Military) 28' Prokofiev: Alexander Nevsky 36'
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Family Concert: Action Stations!
Sun 1 Jun Symphony Hall
Sound the trumpets, beat the drums, and CHARGE! The CBSO swings into action with a whole concert of action and adventure. Don your armour and draw your sword, as Prokofiev’s Alexander Nevsky sends the orchestra hurtling into a thunderous battle on the ice. Duck for cover as Tchaikovsky lets fly with bells and cannons in the roof-raising 1812 Overture! And that’s just for starters. Anything could happen in this thriller of a concert. So come ready for bangs, crashes and some seriously loud musical fun. FREE CREATIVE WORKSHOPS AND MUSIC in the foyers from 1.30pm
*Jakub Hru°sa* conductor *Tommy Pearson* presenter *City of Birmingham Symphony Chorus*
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Lunchtime Organ Concert Henry Fairs
Mon 2 Jun 2008 Symphony Hall
