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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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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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Meet the Associates
Sat 13 Sep Town Hall
As part of the ArtsFest weekend we’re offering free showcase performances from the Town Hall Associate Artists: 1pm - 2pm *Black Voices* showcase The inspirational female vocal quintet 2.30pm - 3.30pm *BBC Big Band* showcase Conducted by Barry Forgie, Britain’s finest big band is on stage with jazz and swing classics 4pm - 5pm *Ex Cathedra* choir showcase Beautiful and uplifting singing from Birmingham’s premier choir Admission FREE
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Open Hall!
Sun 14 Sep Town Hall
We’re throwing the doors open to everyone, with: Orchestra of the Swan showcase (2pm - 3pm), children’s Heritage trail, Organ demonstrations, foyer music, Town Hall exhibition, refreshments from the foyer café, and a prize draw for free concert tickets. Admission FREE
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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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CBSO Season 2008-09
Town Hall & Symphony Hall
DISCOUNTS FOR CBSO CONCERTS Please note that only one discount can be applied to any ticket. Special offers, discounts and concessions cannot be combined. Concerts which are not promoted by the CBSO may have different discounting policies please check with the Ticket Office at time of booking. *CONCERT PACKAGES* Buy tickets for 3 or more CBSO concerts at Symphony Hall/Town Hall to start saving and receiving package benefits. *GROUP BOOKERS* are entitled to a 20% discount for parties of 11 or more and receive one FREE ticket for the group organiser. Groups also benefit from a reservation facility - please call the Group Booking Department on Freephone 0800 358 7070. There is also the opportunity to meet CBSO musicians at concerts; please call Amy Poyser at the CBSO on 0121 616 6513. *FAMILY TICKETS* (for Symphony Hall & Town Hall) To qualify for a family ticket, one or two adults must be accompanied by one or more children aged 16 and under, up to a maximum group of six people. Family tickets are available in all areas, and will be allocated subject to availability. Adult family ticket: £17; child family ticket: £8.50. *STUDENTS & YOUNG PEOPLE* From 1pm on the day of each evening performance and from 10am for matinée concerts, anyone in fulltime education and young people aged 25 and under can purchase remaining tickets at the discounted price of £4. Proof of eligibility may be required. Please note: the CBSO reserves the right to allocate these tickets in certain areas of the hall. Under our ‘Audiences for Tomorrow’ scheme, the CBSO offers a limited number of tickets at special prices for secondary school groups, subject to availability. Teachers should call Katy Russell on 0121 616 6530 for information. *STANDBY TICKETS* Available from 1pm on the day of each evening performance and from 10am for matinée concerts (Symphony Hall & Town Hall concerts), and from CBSO Centre one hour before CBSO Cntre performances. Please come early to avoid queues. All standby tickets are issued subject to availability and on production of valid and suitable identification. Please note the CBSO reserves the right to allocate standby tickets in certain areas of the hall. Patrons aged 60+ (Symphony Hall & Town Hall only) receive 10% discount. Patrons who are benefit recipients can purchase tickets for £4 at all venues (qualifying benefits: Income Support, Pension Tax Credit, Job Seekers Allowance and Disability Tax Credit). Holders of ‘Passport to Leisure’ cards can purchase Circle tickets for £21, and seats on all other levels for £13.50 at Symphony Hall and Town Hall (one ticket per Passport holder), and receive £1 off a full-price ticket at CBSO Centre. *DISABLED PATRONS* If you have a disability you are entitled to receive 50% discount off full price seats. Should you need the service of a companion, their ticket is also half price. Proof of eligibility may be required. N.B. Disabled patrons can combine their 50% discount with the additional Concert Package discounts. For further information on facilities for patrons with disabilities, including the infra-red system for the hearing impaired, please contact Symphony Hall on 0121 780 4949. Receivers are available from the Performance Manager at the concert. Guide dogs welcome. *WHEELCHAIR POSITIONS* Spaces for patrons who need to remain in their wheelchair during the performance are located on the stalls and upper circle levels of Symphony Hall, stalls & circle levels of Town Hall and are available at CBSO Centre. Please book in advance for Symphony Hall & Town Hall by calling 0121 780 4949 during opening hours. *CAR PARKING* Limited space is available for Blue Badge holders driving their own vehicles. To reserve free parking, please contact the Ticket Office on 0121 780 3333. You will be asked for your Blue Badge number, vehicle registration, concert date and contact details when booking a space. Please put requests for more than three dates in writing to Performances Birmingham Ticket Office, Symphony Hall, Broad Street, Birmingham B1 2EA. For concerts at Town Hall, wheelchair users may be dropped off outside the building by Paradise Circus. Blue badge parking bays in the vicinity of Town Hall can be found on Margaret Street, Edmund Street and Pinfold Street. *This brochure is available free of charge on audio-cassette. Please call 0121 616 6513.* *RETURNS & RESALES* Tickets are accepted at the discretion of the Ticket Office but all CBSO sales take priority. There is a service charge of 10% of the face value and money resulting from a resale will be forwarded by cheque. NB only cash or cheques will be accepted in payment for returns. *LOST TICKETS* Please note there is a £2 charge for printing duplicate tickets.
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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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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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Lunchtime Concert - Australian String Quartet
Wed 24 Sep Town Hall
A new series of our popular lunchtime concerts is given a terrific send-off by snapping up Australia’s finest string quartet on a rare visit to the UK. They team up with their illustrious countryman the pianist Piers Lane for a Beethoven masterpiece and Dvorák's adorable Piano Quintet. £7.50 60 plus/full-time students/unwaged/under 16s £5 Concert lasts approximately one hour.
Australian String Quartet Piers Lane Piano Beethoven String Quartet Op 74, Harp Dvorák Piano Quintet Op 81
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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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Centre Stage at CBSO Centre
Book through our ticket office for CBSO Centre
Devised and performed by the musicians of the CBSO, Centre Stage provides a series of intimate chamber concerts designed to complement the music being performed at Symphony Hall. Centre Stage events start at 1.10pm and normally last about 50 minutes. Snacks and a licenced bar are available before every performance.
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Centre Stage Simon Trpceski and CBSO players
Thu 25 Sep Book through our ticket office for CBSO Centre
Simon Trpceski and CBSO players Brahms: Horn Trio Prokofiev: Overture on Hebrew Themes
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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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Notelets at CBSO Centre
Book through our ticket office for CBSO Centre
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Lunchtime Organ Concert: Thomas Trotter's 25th Anniversary Concert
Mon 6 Oct Town Hall
Join us for this very special occasion as Thomas Trotter celebrates 25 years as Birmingham City Organist. The programme includes J.S. Bach’s Prelude & Fugue in G and Bolcom’s Three Gospel Preludes and concludes with an arrangement of Tchaikovsky’s 1812 Overture. Admission from 12.30pm. Programme lasts approximately one hour. Thomas Trotter is a Town Hall Associate Artist.
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Birmingham International Concert Season 2008 - 09
Tue 7 Oct to Sun 31 May Town Hall & Symphony Hall
h2. See the world’s greatest artists perform on the UK’s finest stages Sir Simon Rattle, The Royal Opera and Antonio Pappano, Esa-Pekka Salonen, Vladimir Jurowski, St Petersburg Philharmonic, Choir of King’s College Cambridge, Mitsuko Uchida, Leif Ove Andsnes, Murray Perahia, John Williams, the Brodsky Quartet-these are just a few of the stars performing this season at Town Hall and Symphony Hall. In this season you’ll find a veritable ‘Who’s Who’ of the classical music world. From the unrivalled acoustic of Symphony Hall to the historic ambience of Town Hall, there are no better platforms for such outstanding talents. We hope you will cherish these special evenings of music making with us. *Concert Packages: Book six or more concerts and save up to 30%!* Book a concert package and guarantee those special musical experiences. And, the more concerts you book for, the more money you’ll save: * Book 6 to 8 concerts and save 10% * Book 9 to 10 concerts and save 15% * Book 11 to 16 concerts and save 20% * Book 17 or more concerts and save 30% You will also receive these exclusive benefits: * First choice of seats in Town Hall and Symphony Hall * Ticket exchange scheme * Free concert programme * Discounts on selected additional concerts throughout the year * 6 months interest free credit if you book by 30 June 2008 * Car parking for just £3.80 at Brindleyplace * 12½% discount THe SHop, our classical music shop at Symphony Hall * 10% discount on Town Hall and Symphony Hall merchandise * 30% discount on additional Birmingham International Concert Season concert tickets if you book 17 or more concerts in your package *How to Book* Postal booking of concert packages is open now. Download an order form from below or phone the Information Line on 0121 644 5198. Priority booking for Friends of Town Hall and Symphony Hall and group bookers opens on Thursday 12 June at 10am, by phone, post and in person. (For more information on becoming a Friend "click here":http://www.thsh.co.uk/page/friends/) *General booking opens on Thursday 19 June at 10am, online, by phone, post and in person.*
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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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Centre Stage Byron Parish & Owen Cox (violins), Ella Brinch (viola)
Wed 8 Oct Book through our ticket office for CBSO Centre
Byron Parish & Owen Cox (violins), Ella Brinch (viola) Mozart: Duo in G major, K.423 Prokofiev: Sonata for Two Violins Dvorák: Terzetto
