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The National Children's Orchestra 30th Anniversary Concert
Sun 31 Aug Symphony Hall
2008 is NCO's 30th anniversary year and this is being celebrated with this spectacular concert with all five of NCO's orchestra's performing. NCO's members are provided with high class musical tuition on residential courses. This concert is the perfect opportunity for you to see the UK's most talented under 14 year olds performing.
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Jagjit Singh Live in Concert
Fri 12 Sep Symphony Hall
Jagjit Singh's unique compositions and etheral voice have acquired him a legendary stature among millions of fans worldwide. He is the leading exponent of Ghazal singing, a form of a Indian classical music that he is credited to have given a new lease of life to, and he is often referred to as the 'Ghazal King'. His mesmerising live performances have enthralled millions so don't miss out. Please Note: Tickets will not be sent out until closer to the date of the performance.
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Brass Band Championship 2008
Sat 13 Sep Symphony Hall
Championship bands from England, Scotland and Wales compete for the coveted British Open Trophy by performing a specially selected test piece. There will also be trade stands exhibiting and selling brass band merchandise.
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Brass Gala Concert 2008
Sun 14 Sep Symphony Hall
The present British Open Champion Band, The English and National Champion Band and the European Champion Band come together on one spectacular bill leading to a glorious climax featuring the Cory and Black Dyke Band performing together! The three bands will play music widely ranging from _Mozart's_ Magic Flute Overture to _Harry James'_ Trumpet Blues and Cantabile and taking in en route _Bach's_ Air on the G String, _Widor's_ famous Organ Toccata and ending with a new arrangement by Robert Childs of _Tchaikowsky's_ Marche Slav played by Black Dyke and Cory together. Original brass band music will include _Fletcher's_ popular Labour and Love, the first work commissioned by the national Brass Band Championship in 1913. Something, and probably more, for every fan of brass band music here. £12.50, £14.50, £16.50, £19.50, Choir £8.50 Full Programme details: *Grimethorpe Colliery Band* Percy Grainger _Irish tune from County Derry_ Shipley Douglas _March, Mephistopheles_ Fletcher _Labour and Love_ Hartmann _Rule Britannia_ (Euphonium solo Michael Dodd) Ireland _Elegy from A Downland Suite_ Goffin _Rhapsody in Brass_ *Cory Band* Philip Wilby _Peel Park_ (from a Lowry sketchbook) Paul Lovatt-Cooper _Neath the Dublin skies_ (Euphonium solo David Childs) Karl Jenkins arr. Tony Small _Palladio_ Monk, arr. Karl Jenkins _Abide With Me_ Gareth Wood _Actaeon_ *Black Dyke Band* Widor arr. Sparke _Toccata_ Mozart arr. Anon _Overture to The Magic Flute_ Simone Mantia _Fantasie Originale_ (Euphonium solo David Thornton) Bach arr. Snell _Air from Suite No. 3_ Paul Lovatt-Cooper _In Vitae Aeternam_ *Black Dyke and Cory together* Lovatt-Cooper _Walking with Heroes_ Harry James arr. Geldard _Trumpet Blues and Cantabile_ (with twenty soloists) Tchaikovsky arr. Robert Childs _Marche Slav_
Grimethorpe Colliery Band Cory Band Black Dyke Band
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Fantastic Symphony
Wed 17 Sep Symphony Hall
A new conductor, a new era - three youthful orchestral showpieces launch Andris Nelsons’ first concert as music director of the CBSO. And they couldn’t be more appropriate. Like Andris Nelsons himself, Berlioz was still in his twenties when he wrote his outrageous symphony, and the young Wagner actually wrote his Rienzi overture in Nelsons’ home city of Riga! Bartók’s thrilling ballet score comes from the composer’s mid-thirties. The CBSO’s new music director has already won widespread praise for his exciting performances with the Orchestra, and tonight’s programme has plenty to set pulses racing so make sure you don’t miss the start of something really special! The concert on 17 September is sponsored by Mitchells and Butlers 6.15pm Pre-concert talk - Welcome to the Season Meet Andris Nelsons, as he prepares to conduct his first concerts as music director of the CBSO. In conversation with Stephen Maddock.
Andris Nelsons - conductor City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra
Wagner: Overture, Rienzi 13’ Bartók: Miraculous Mandarin Suite 21’ Berlioz: Symphonie fantastique 55’
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Symphonic Spectacular!
Fri 19 Sep Symphony Hall
This concert is for secondary schools, and is designed for and by students in Key Stages 3 & 4. Forget keyboards and samplers - the full symphony orchestra is the biggest, most powerful machine ever devised for making music! Get up close and see how it works in this special concert. Tommy Pearson takes the orchestra to pieces, while the CBSO’s brilliant new conductor Andris Nelsons steers the full CBSO through a showcase performance of Berlioz’ thrilling Fantastic Symphony.
Andris Nelsons - conductor Tommy Pearson - presenter City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra
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Fantastic Symphony
Sat 20 Sep Symphony Hall
A new conductor, a new era - three youthful orchestral showpieces launch Andris Nelsons’ first concert as music director of the CBSO. And they couldn’t be more appropriate. Like Andris Nelsons himself, Berlioz was still in his twenties when he wrote his outrageous symphony, and the young Wagner actually wrote his Rienzi overture in Nelsons’ home city of Riga! Bartók’s thrilling ballet score comes from the composer’s mid-thirties. The CBSO’s new music director has already won widespread praise for his exciting performances with the Orchestra, and tonight’s programme has plenty to set pulses racing so make sure you don’t miss the start of something really special! The concert on 17 September is sponsored by Mitchells and Butlers 6.15pm Pre-concert talk - Welcome to the Season Meet Andris Nelsons, as he prepares to conduct his first concerts as music director of the CBSO. In conversation with Stephen Maddock.
Andris Nelsons - conductor City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra
Wagner: Overture, Rienzi 13’ Bartók: Miraculous Mandarin Suite 21’ Berlioz: Symphonie fantastique 55’
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Nigel Kennedy Quintet- A Very Nice Tour
Sun 21 Sep Symphony Hall
For over 25 years, Nigel Kennedy has been acknowledged as one of the world's leading violin virtuosos and is, without doubt, one of the most important violinists Britain has produced. His virtuostic technique, unique talent and mass appeal have brought fresh perspectives to the classical, contemporary and jazz repertoire. On the _Very Nice Tour_, Kennedy performs with his jazz group, the Nigel Kennedy Quintet. The band met in Nigel's adopted city of Krakow in Poland and is made up of some of Europe's finest exponents of jazz, from the ever-inventive rhythm section of drummer *Pawel Dobrowolski* and bassist *Adam Kowaleski* to the fluent soloing of pianist *Poitr Wylezol* and the muscular tenor sax of *Tomasz Grzegorski*. £24.50, £28
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University College Birmingham Graduation - 11:30am
Mon 22 Sep Symphony Hall
Awards Congregation for the School of Business and Marketing and the School of Hospitality, Food and Retail Management
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University College Birmingham Graduation - 2:45pm
Mon 22 Sep Symphony Hall
Awards Congregation for the School of Childhood and Education, the School of Recreation, Sport and Tourism and the School of Salon, Spa and Complementary Therapies
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University College Birmingham Graduation - 6pm
Mon 22 Sep Symphony Hall
Further Education Awards Congregation
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Rachmaninov’s Second
Tue 23 Sep Symphony Hall
For his second programme as music director, Andris Nelsons has chosen another grand romantic symphony - Rachmaninov’s sweeping, passionate second, which the composer premiered exactly a century ago in 1908. In the first half, the brilliant young Macedonian pianist Simon Trpceski will join the Orchestra for Saint-Saëns’ most popular concerto, and the concert begins with another French favourite, Debussy’s sensuous miniature ballet. Pre concert talk 6.15pm - The Players’ Perspective - Rachmaninov’s Second Violinist David Gregory and fellow CBSO musicians present an insider’s angle on Rachmaninov’s best-loved symphony.
Andris Nelsons - conductor Simon Trpceski - piano City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra
Debussy: Prélude à l’après-midi d’un faune 10’ Saint-Saëns: Piano Concerto No. 2 23’ Rachmaninov: Symphony No. 2 55’
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Rachmaninov’s Second
Wed 24 Sep Symphony Hall
For his second programme as music director, Andris Nelsons has chosen another grand romantic symphony - Rachmaninov’s sweeping, passionate second, which the composer premiered exactly a century ago in 1908. In the first half, the brilliant young Macedonian pianist Simon Trpceski will join the Orchestra for Saint-Saëns’ most popular concerto, and the concert begins with another French favourite, Debussy’s sensuous miniature ballet. The concert on 24 September is followed by a Members’ Afternoon Tea with Andris Nelsons as guest speaker, in conversation with Christopher Morley of The Birmingham Post. Find out how you can support the CBSO through membership by contacting Gill Powell on 0121 616 6514, or email gpowell@cbso.co.uk Pre concert talk 1.15pm - The Players’ Perspective - Rachmaninov’s Second Violinist David Gregory and fellow CBSO musicians present an insider’s angle on Rachmaninov’s best-loved symphony. bq.'PASSION from Birmingham’ is the motto for the CBSO’s current season. And Andris Nelsons, here making his first official appearance before becoming music director in the autumn, is the living incarnation of these words.bq. David Fanning, Daily Telegraph 7 March 2008
Andris Nelsons - conductor Simon Trpceski - piano City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra
Debussy: Prélude à l’après-midi d’un faune 10’ Saint-Saëns: Piano Concerto No. 2 23’ Rachmaninov: Symphony No. 2 55’
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The Organ Symphony
Thu 2 Oct Symphony Hall
There are few more thrilling sounds in all music than the 6,000 pipes of Symphony Hall’s magnificent Klais organ pitted against a full-strength CBSO, and Saint-Saëns’ ever-popular symphony is just the piece to show off this dynamic combination. The elegant classicism of Mozart’s serene concerto and Ravel’s fairy-tale miniatures should provide the perfect upbeat. The New York Philharmonic’s Associate Conductor Xian Zhang returns for her third visit to Birmingham.
Xian Zhang - conductor David Saint - organ Michael Collins - clarinet City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra
Ravel: Mother Goose Suite 18’ Mozart: Clarinet Concerto 28’ Saint-Saëns: Symphony No. 3 (Organ) 36’
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Jimmy Carr - Joke Technician
Fri 3 Oct Symphony Hall
Jimmy Carr is not just a TV star. He’s won awards, released chart topping DVDs (there’s a new one out this November), written a best selling book and broken box office records by performing to over 500,000 people in the last three years. He may be the hardest working man in comedy. But perhaps he wouldn’t have to be if he had a little bit more talent. This show is exactly the same as last year’s except every single word. It’s rude, crude and offensive but those aren’t the only reasons you’ll enjoy it. Not to be missed, unless it’s not your kind of thing.
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Van Morrison
Sat 4 Oct Symphony Hall
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LIVE NATION presents OMD plus special guests
Mon 6 Oct Symphony Hall
After appearing on the music scene in the late 1970's OMD are back!The critically acclaimed Electronic Pop Gurus OMD are set to embark on their natonal tour this Autumn. Fresh from embarking on a UK and European tour in 2007 to showcase their classic Architecture & Morality album it proved just how much of an engaging band OMD were live. With a new album to be released shortly OMD continue to delight and entertain audiences globally. So don't miss the chance not to witness one of the greatest bands in history performing in one of the greatest venues in the world!
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Mahler's Third Symphony
Tue 7 Oct Symphony Hall
From its opening primeval theme, thundered out by eight horns, to its exultant earth-shattering close, this is a journey of discovery like no other. Mahler’s Third Symphony is one of the most extravagant all-embracing symphonies ever written, with an impact that will fill every corner of Symphony Hall. Mahler himself spoke of it as being “of such magnitude that it mirrors the whole world”. It is performed by Iván Fischer and the Budapest Festival Orchestra, whose recent performances of Mahler have had the critics reaching for superlatives. £5-£37.50 Choir not available. Please note there is no interval.
*Budapest Festival Orchestra* *Iván Fischer* conductor *Birgit Remmert* mezzo-soprano *The Ladies of the City of Birmingham Symphony Chorus* *City of Birmingham Symphony Youth Chorus - Seniors*
*Mahler* Symphony No 3 99’
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Schumann & Shostakovich with Schiff
Wed 8 Oct Symphony Hall
High romance and biting sarcasm - the superb Austrian cellist and conductor Heinrich Schiff makes a welcome return to the CBSO with a programme of extremes. Kurt Weill’s Threepenny Opera Suite is the ultimate in musical irony, irresistibly sarcastic, shamelessly sleazy and unforgettably tuneful. In Shostakovich’s First Cello Concerto, though, the satire has teeth - it’s a punchy political drama driven by profound emotion. Schiff himself performs the solo part, before taking the podium to conduct Schumann’s noblest symphony - a world of romantic dreams and classical beauty, a million miles from the 20th century.
Heinrich Schiff - conductor / cello City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra
Shostakovich: Cello Concerto No. 1 28’ Weill: Threepenny Opera - Suite 20’ Schumann: Symphony No. 2 36’
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An Evening with Art Garfunkel
Thu 9 Oct Symphony Hall
Art Garfunkel has made an incredible mark on the music world, both as a solo artist and as half of the unrivaled Simon & Garfunkel. He has enjoyed a successful film career, published a book of poetry and has also released several solo albums. Symphony Hall is hugely excited to be welcoming this musical legend to the stage. £35
