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Cecilia Bartoli: La Rivoluzone Romantica Basel Chamber Orchestra
Thu 5 Jun Symphony Hall
Cecilia Bartoli's extraordinary silken voice, passionate, colourful, miraculously controlled, make words seem superfluous. She brings a unique freshness to the well-loved classics whilst persuading audiences to fall in love with forgotten musical treasures of the past. This is a concert that anyone who loves the human voice cannot afford to miss. BBC Music magazine's Editor, Oliver Condy, explains why he has recommended tonight's concert: _"Cecilia Bartoli is one of those rare classical musicians who have assumed superstar status. She is an incredible communicator, displaying a passion for whatever she sings. Seeing her live leaves a deep impression. Grab tickets when you can, they are sure to go quickly!"_
Programme includes: *Garcia* La Figlia dell'Aria (ouverture and aria) *Persiani* Cari giorni *Mendelssohn* Infelice *Balfe* Yon Moon *Hummel* Air à la tirolienne *Malibran* Rataplan Pieces edited by Martin HEIMGARTNER
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Rush Hour Blues THE MORGAN BROTHERS SEXTET
Fri 6 Jun Symphony Hall
Level 3 Bar. Admission FREE. Presented in association with "Birmingham Jazz":http://birminghamjazz.co.uk
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Friday Night Classics: Music for Champions
Fri 6 Jun Symphony Hall
As Euro 2008 prepares to kick off, the CBSO announces the squad for its own big match. Our premier team of musicians, captained by the inimitable Carl Davis, tackles some of the all-time champion sporting themes. From fans’ favourites like Nessun Dorma, Boléro and We Are the Champions to TV and movie classics, including Chariots of Fire, Rocky and Superman, it’s a line-up to have you cheering from the terraces! Get behind Davis and the CBSO as they play for Birmingham in the stunning acoustic of Symphony Hall, our very own field of dreams!
*Carl Davis* Conductor *Jon Christos* Tenor
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Rutter Conducts Rutter English Chamber Orchestra
Sat 7 Jun 2008 Symphony Hall
John Rutter's Requiem has established itself as a classic. Its melodies and atmosphere speak directly and naturally to both audiences and singers alike. Hear it tonight conducted by the composer himself, with his own Cambridge Singers, alongside his recent Mass of the Children, the New York premiere of which made him the toast of Manhattan. Classic FM's Anne-Marie Minhall says of tonight's recommended concert: _"John Rutter doesn't seem to stop for a moment. When he's not performing, composing or recording he's committed to grassroots music-making. This leading composer and conductor is a national treasure."_
*John Rutter* Conductor *Cambridge Singers* *City of Birmingham Symphony Youth Choruses* *Joanne Lunn* Soprano *Jeremy Huw Williams* Baritone
*Ravel* Pavane 5' *Rutter* Requiem 40' *Rutter* Mass of the Children 37'
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The Verdi Requiem with Making Music West Midlands
Sun 8 Jun Symphony Hall
The thrilling trumpet call to judgement accompanies the spectacular choir of massed voices from across the Midlands region, in this gala performance of Verdi's intensely operatic Requiem. Making Music's trienniel event is conducted by Michael Lloyd with a cracking line-up of soloists supported by the remarkable Chandos Symphony Orchestra. _'A chorus singing out of its socks'_ Christopher Morley, The Birmingham Post
*Michael Lloyd* Conductor *Kathyrn Rutland* Leader *Julie Unwin* Soprano *Anne Marie Owens* Mezzo-soprano *Rhys Meirion* Tenor *Andrew Greenan* Bass *Chandos Symphony Orchestra* *Massed Choirs of Making Music West Midlands*
*Verdi* Requiem 80'
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Farewell, But Not Goodbye
Wed 11 Jun Symphony Hall
The end of a ten-year tenure: Sakari Oramo bows out as Music Director in truly spectacular style, with a thrilling pair of life-affirming masterpieces. This is the last chance to see Sakari conduct the CBSO in Symphony Hall, until he returns in a new guise as Principal Guest Conductor for the 2008/09 season. Janácˇek’s Sinfonietta is one of the greatest of all 20th-century scores, its brassy fanfares (featuring an extra nine trumpets in addition to a large orchestra) surrounding a work of astonishing originality and power. Beethoven’s final Symphony is also a summation of a life’s work, and its culminating vocal setting of Schiller’s ‘Ode to Joy’ has become an anthem for all humanity. A great team of soloists and our own magnificent Chorus join the Orchestra for what is certain to be the hottest ticket of the season • be sure to book early! 6.15pm pre-concert talk
*Sakari Oramo* conductor *Lisa Milne* Soprano *Jane Irwin* Mezzo-soprano *Gordon Gietz* Tenor *Matthew Rose* Bass *City of Birmingham Symphony Chorus*
*Janácek* Sinfonietta 25' *Beethoven* Symphony No. 9 (Choral) 67'
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Farewell, But Not Goodbye
Thu 12 Jun Symphony Hall
The end of a ten-year tenure: Sakari Oramo bows out as Music Director in truly spectacular style, with a thrilling pair of life-affirming masterpieces. This is the last chance to see Sakari conduct the CBSO in Symphony Hall, until he returns in a new guise as Principal Guest Conductor for the 2008/09 season. Janácˇek’s Sinfonietta is one of the greatest of all 20th-century scores, its brassy fanfares (featuring an extra nine trumpets in addition to a large orchestra) surrounding a work of astonishing originality and power. Beethoven’s final Symphony is also a summation of a life’s work, and its culminating vocal setting of Schiller’s ‘Ode to Joy’ has become an anthem for all humanity. A great team of soloists and our own magnificent Chorus join the Orchestra for what is certain to be the hottest ticket of the season • be sure to book early! 6.15pm pre-concert talk
*Sakari Oramo* conductor *Lisa Milne* Soprano *Jane Irwin* Mezzo-soprano *Gordon Gietz* Tenor *Matthew Rose* Bass *City of Birmingham Symphony Chorus*
*Janácek* Sinfonietta 25' *Beethoven* Symphony No. 9 (Choral) 67'
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Rush Hour Blues WINNER OF THE DAVE HOLLAND BAND PRIZE
Fri 13 Jun Symphony Hall
Level 3 Bar. Admission FREE. Presented in association with "Birmingham Jazz":http://birminghamjazz.co.uk
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Russell Watson No Support
Sun 15 Jun Symphony Hall
Russell Watson will be making an emotional and welcome return to the stage on a brand new UK tour. Russell will be performing a mixture of his well-loved songs and new material from his latest album _Outside In_, a release which sees him tackling iconic repertoire with a maturing singing voice. With a voice which is now better and more powerful than ever, Russell continues to prove that he can imbue popular songs as well as classical arias with his own unique style and grace.
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American Classics
Tue 17 Jun Symphony Hall
Andrew Litton has become a firm favourite with CBSO audiences in the last few seasons, and tonight he takes centre stage as both pianist and conductor in a trio of well-known American scores. Gershwin’s Piano Concerto was the composer’s most ambitious work for the concert hall, and features the same ‘symphonic jazz’ style with which he had made his name in Rhapsody in Blue. Copland’s Third Symphony was begun in 1944, and looks ahead to a brighter future, in this case with a finale based on his own hugely successful Fanfare for the Common Man. Bernstein’s fizzing comedy overture gets the evening off to a flying start.
*Andrew Litton* Conductor / Piano
*Bernstein* Candide Overture 5' *Gershwin* Piano Concerto 31' *Copland* Symphony No. 3 40'
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David Essex plus support
Wed 18 Jun Symphony Hall
Relive the magic of David Essex live in concert at Symphony Hall. Since the 70s right up to the current day, David has been a national treasure and has captured many thousands of hearts as an accomplished stage and screen star as well as a chart topping singer. This concert brings together all the favourite hits including _Hold Me Close_, _Gonna Make You A Star_ and his debut hit _Rock On_, together with tracks from his latest album.
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Michael McDonald
Thu 19 Jun Symphony Hall
While working with Steely Dan and the Doobie Brothers, Michael McDonald found time to build his own career. Since the 1982 release of _If That's What It Takes_, he has completed a series of solo projects, each distinguished by its high production value, well-crafted songs and sultry, full-throated vocals. A prominent part in the soundtrack to our times, Michael as an artist and songwriter, has been awarded an impressive five Grammys. He has both a remarkable voice and a body of well-crafted songs.
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Rush Hour Blues JOHN RANDALL TRIO PLUS GUESTS
Fri 20 Jun Symphony Hall
Level 3 Bar. Admission FREE. Presented in association with "Birmingham Jazz":http://birminghamjazz.co.uk
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A Sea Symphony
Sat 21 Jun 2008 Symphony Hall
In a special programme to celebrate his 25 years as Chorus Director to the CBSO, Simon Halsey conducts a superb pair of English works which themselves mark significant anniversaries this year. 2008 sees the 50th anniversary of the death of Vaughan Williams, and it was his stirring setting of Walt Whitman which announced his arrival as a major symphonist almost exactly a century ago. At the same time his friend Holst was exploring music on a far smaller scale, and his haunting chamber opera Savitri, composed in 1908, tells a timeless Indian tale from the Mahabharata translated into a style heavily influenced by English folk-song. Four oustanding British soloists join the Orchestra, Choruses and Simon Halsey for this stirring evening’s singing. 5.45pm pre-concert talk
Simon Halsey conductor Janice Watson soprano Sarah Connolly mezzo-soprano James Oxley tenor James Rutherford baritone City of Birmingham Symphony Youth Chorus City of Birmingham Symphony Chorus
Holst: Savitri 30' Vaughan Williams: A Sea Symphony 64'
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Goldfrapp plus Special Guests
Sun 22 Jun Symphony Hall
Following the release of their new album _Seventh Tree_, genre-busting pop pioneers Goldfrapp perform at Symphony Hall. During their Supernature tour the band sealed their reputation as one of the most exciting live acts around with two sell out UK tours and festival performances across Europe.
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Celebrity Piano Recital: Alfred Brendel Alfred Brendel
Tue 24 Jun 2008 Symphony Hall
"Keeper of the flame" is how The Guardian recently described Alfred Brendel. At seventy-six he is unchallenged as the greatest living exponent of the classical keyboard tradition of Haydn, Mozart, Beethoven and Schubert, bringing not only extraordinary depth and humanity but also quirky humour to the music. His recital includes Beethoven's startlingly original E flat Sonata and the powerful serenity of Schubert's great B flat Sonata. It's difficult to think of a more satisfying concert to close this season.
Alfred Brendel
*Haydn* Variations in F minor 8' *Mozart* Piano Sonata in F major K533/494 16' *Beethoven* Piano Sonata in E flat major, Op 27 No 1 15' *Schubert* Piano Sonata in B flat major, D960 45'
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Pictures At An Exhibition
Wed 25 Jun 2008 Symphony Hall
For our last ‘symphonic’ concert of the season we turn to Chinese conductor Xian Zhang, acclaimed internationally for her dynamic and spirited performances. Tonight she directs the CBSO in music from Ravel’s great ballet Daphnis and Chloé, and also in Ravel’s magnificent orchestral version of Mussorgsky’s piano portraits. She is joined by a Canadian rising star for Lalo’s best-known work, a colourful violin concerto based on Spanish dance tunes.
Xian Zhang conductor Karen Gomyo violin
Mussorgsky (orch. Ravel): Pictures at an Exhibition 32' Lalo: Symphonie espagnole 31' Ravel: Daphnis and Chloé • Suite No. 2 18'
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Schools Concert: Pictures At An Exhibition
Thu 26 Jun 2008 Symphony Hall
Mussorgsky’s epic tour through a Russian picture gallery provides the inspiration for this introduction to the symphony orchestra, specially devised for Key Stage 2 students (years 3 and 4). From old castles and catacombs, through farm carts and bustling markets, to the Great Gate of Kiev, this colourful music should set young imaginations on fire. For information on pre-concert support packages for schools, please contact the CBSO’s Education Department by emai(education@cbso.co.uk) or telephone (0121 616 6500). Teachers are also invited to contact the CBSO for details of other opportunities available to schools under our Education and Community programme.
Xian Zhang conductor Tommy Pearson presenter
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Schools Concert: Pictures At An Exhibition
Thu 26 Jun 2008 Symphony Hall
Mussorgsky’s epic tour through a Russian picture gallery provides the inspiration for this introduction to the symphony orchestra, specially devised for Key Stage 2 students (years 3 and 4). From old castles and catacombs, through farm carts and bustling markets, to the Great Gate of Kiev, this colourful music should set young imaginations on fire. For information on pre-concert support packages for schools, please contact the CBSO’s Education Department by emai(education@cbso.co.uk) or telephone (0121 616 6500). Teachers are also invited to contact the CBSO for details of other opportunities available to schools under our Education and Community programme.
Xian Zhang conductor Tommy Pearson presenter
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Buddy Guy - Start time TBC Please note tickets will not be posted out until a start time has been confirmed
Fri 27 Jun Symphony Hall
Five time Grammy Award winner, Rock & Roll Hall of fame inductee and pioneer of Chicago’s fabled West-side sound, legendary guitarist Buddy Guy will perform at Symphony Hall as part of his three date UK tour. Buddy has always electrified audiences with his prodigious guitar skills and his flamboyant performances are responsible for having shaped the playing of many guitarists perceived by us today as guitar royalty, including Eric Clapton, Jeff Beck, Steve Ray Vaughan and Jimi Hendrix. Even now at the age of 71 Buddy Guy still puts on a spectacle which leaves audiences completely overawed. Don’t miss this chance to see the talent who inspired Clapton and Hendrix to first pick up a guitar!
