Biss Plays Mozart

Wednesday 16 December 2009 at 7.30pm

Symphony Hall, Birmingham +44 (0)121-780 3333

Robert Spano  conductor
Jonathan Biss  piano

Tiensuu: False Memories (UK premiere) 16′
Mozart: Piano Concerto No. 9, K271 31′
Sibelius: Symphony No. 2 42′ Listen
requires Real Player

This young American pianist has already built a formidable reputation for his accounts of classical and early romantic music; here he plays what Brendel calls ‘one of the greatest wonders of the world’, a miraculous product of the 21-year old Mozart. Sibelius’s sweeping, passionate symphony has long been a Birmingham favourite, and Spano also introduces a work by one of the finest of the current amazing generation of Finnish composers.  www.cbso.co.uk

Symphonic Dances II

Thursday 10 December 2009 at 7.30pm

Symphony Hall, Birmingham +44 (0)121-780 3333

Kristjan Järvi  conductor
Tim Garland  saxophone
Eduardo Vassallo  cello

Ginastera: Estancia 14′
Garland: Double Concerto (world premiere) 25′
Bernstein: West Side Story: Symphonic Dances 24′
Ravel: Daphnis and Chloé – Suite No. 2 18′

Dynamic conductor Kristjan Järvi brings his love of jazz and classical music together in a highly charged programme that’s intoxicated by dance rhythms. Ravel’s sensual ballet and Bernstein’s New York teen take on Romeo and Juliet are both classics of the repertoire. Ginastera’s earthy ballet is also a riot of Argentine colour, and provides an appropriate prelude to Acoustic Triangle member and leading jazz composer Tim Garland’s new concerto, composed for him and the CBSO’s cello section leader, and paying tribute to the dance rhythms of the latter’s native Argentina. www.cbso.co.uk

Encore – Ginastra

Review by Christopher Morley, Birmingham Post:

http://www.birminghampost.net/life-leisure-birmingham-guide/birmingham-culture/music-in-birmingham/2009/12/11/review-cbso-kristjan-jarvi-at-symphony-hall-birmingham-65233-25374726/

“…But those who stayed away from Thursday’s CBSO concert missed a wonderful display of exuberance and orchestral virtuosity under the kinetic baton of Kristjan Jarvi,  …   Riches came with the Symphonic Dances from Bernstein’s West Side Story, awash with colour, zestful in delivery, and oozing with every kind of emotion.   …”

Review by Geoff Brown, Times:

http://entertainment.timesonline.co.uk/tol/arts_and_entertainment/music/live_reviews/article6956154.ece

“…Järvi’s jiggling baton spurred fire and precision. Fingers clicked; the players shouted “Mambo!” Best of the best was Ravel’s second Daphnis et Chloé suite, which proceeded from daybreak to paroxysm with the atmospheric lustre and bloom of an orchestra happy on its home turf.”

Haydn 200 : The Creation

Thursday 3 December 2009 at 7.30pm

Symphony Hall, Birmingham +44 (0)121-780 3333

Andris Nelsons  conductor
Ailish Tynan  soprano
Toby Spence  tenor
Vuyani Mlinde  bass
CBSO Chorus  

Haydn: The Creation (sung in English) 109′

“When I think of God, I can’t help writing cheerful music,” admitted Joseph Haydn. So it’s no wonder that his great oratorio The Creation is one of the freshest, happiest and most unstuffy pieces of religious music ever written. Fizzy operatic arias, blockbuster choruses and a visionary musical depiction of the birth of the Universe itself – they’re all part of Haydn’s shamelessly tuneful version of the Book of Genesis. Adam and Eve even get their own love-duet! There’s no more enjoyable way to celebrate the 200th anniversary of Haydn’s death – and to hear the CBSO’s magnificent chorus in full, resplendent voice.www.cbso.co.uk

Tonight’s concert is supported by the Tolkien Trust.

Review by Christopher Morley, Birmingham Post:

http://www.birminghampost.net/life-leisure-birmingham-guide/birmingham-culture/music-in-birmingham/2009/12/04/review-cbso-performs-haydn-s-creation-at-symphony-hall-65233-25322809/

“…The result is irresistible in the right hands, and Nelsons’ were certainly those.

In addition to the sprightly orchestral playing (Peter Hill’s timpani looked modern but sounded so authentic) and vivid choral contributions, the continuo-playing of fortepianist Alistair Young and cellist Ulrich Heinen was alert and deliciously seasoned. …”

Great Romantics

Saturday 28 November 2009 at 7.00pm

Symphony Hall, Birmingham +44 (0)121-780 3333

Andris Nelsons  conductor
Nikolai Lugansky  piano

Liadov: The Enchanted Lake 7′
Rachmaninov: Piano Concerto No. 3 44′
Dvořák: Symphony No. 8 36′

Dvorák always insisted that he liked nothing more than listening to a Czech village band. And no wonder, if they sounded anything like the slow movement of his glorious Eighth Symphony. Forget the New World, this is Dvorák celebrating the old world with lilting tunes and utterly irresistible charm. Andris Nelsons sets the mood with another Slavic fairytale; Liadov’s ravishing Enchanted Lake, before joining pianist Nikolai Lugansky to scale the Everest of romantic piano concertos – Rachmaninov’s epic Third Concerto, premiered 100 years ago tonight and still as thrilling as ever! www.cbso.co.uk

 

(Long service awards given tonight to:

Twenty years….Eduardo Vassallo, cello; Heather Bradshaw, violin; Peter Hill, Timpani; Christopher Yates, Viola.

Thirty years….Pete Dyson, Horn.)

 Review by David Hart, Birmingham Post:

http://www.birminghampost.net/life-leisure-birmingham-guide/birmingham-culture/music-in-birmingham/2009/12/04/review-cbso-great-romantics-at-symphony-hall-65233-25322850/

“When it comes to painting pictures in music Andris Nelsons is in his element. Liadov’s tone poem The Enchanted Lake, the magical, ravishingly played opener to Saturday’s concert, was so delicately defined you could almost see diaphanous forms emerging from the orchestral mists.” …

Nelsons Conducts Bruckner’s Third

Wednesday 25 November 2009 at 7.30pm

Symphony Hall, Birmingham

Andris Nelsons  conductor
Kari Kriikku  clarinet

Wagner: Parsifal – Prelude 14′
Lindberg: Clarinet Concerto 28′
Bruckner: Symphony No. 3 54′

Bruckner dedicated his Third Symphony to Richard Wagner – and there’s more than a hint of the Ride of the Valkyries about this stirring, powerfully romantic symphony. Vast musical landscapes, hymns of triumph and moments of heart-breaking poetry – if you heard Andris Nelsons conducting Wagner and Strauss last season, you won’t want to miss his Bruckner. But the evening begins with the serene beauty of Wagner’s Parsifal prelude – while Magnus Lindberg’s sparky Clarinet Concerto (played by the artist who inspired it) is like a dazzling firework display amidst all this teutonic grandeur.

Review by Christoper Morley, Birmingham Post:

http://www.birminghampost.net/life-leisure-birmingham-guide/birmingham-culture/music-in-birmingham/2009/11/26/review-wagner-lindberg-bruckner-cbso-at-symphony-hall-birmingham-65233-25260873/

“Everyone take note: Andris Nelsons is destined to become one of the greatest Wagnerian conductors of the 21st – or indeed any – century” …

Review by Rian Evans, Guardian:

http://www.guardian.co.uk/music/2009/nov/26/cbso-nelsons-kriikku-review

“…Yet it is hard to imagine Kriikku giving a more gripping performance than this one with Andris Nelsons and the City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra. The Symphony Hall acoustic allowed the whole fabric of the piece to emerge with unflagging clarity and vibrancy.” …

Review by Geoff Brown, The Times:

http://entertainment.timesonline.co.uk/tol/arts_and_entertainment/music/live_reviews/article6934967.ece

…”Never before have I heard such warm, veiled, ethereal beauties from these players, or indeed from Symphony Hall. In his second season as the CBSO’s chief, Nelsons continues to be a complete magician, conjuring passionate yet elegant performances through solid musicianship, delicate hand gestures, flexible knees, and a star’s charisma.”…

CBSO’s Amazing Auction – for charity

Street Maestros:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MyWj7VXiz84

Bidding opens for a chance to conduct, or play strings, with CBSO

http://www.birminghampost.net/news/newsaggregator/2009/11/18/bidding-opens-for-a-chance-to-conduct-cbso-65233-25191081/

The auction page:

http://www.cbso.co.uk/ebayauction

Haydn 200: II

Wednesday 18 November 2009 at 7.30pm

Town Hall, Birmingham 0121 780 3333

Jean-Christophe Spinosi – conductor
Rinat Shaham – mezzo-soprano

Mozart Overture to Cosi fan tutte, K. 588
Mozart Recit & Smanie Implacabile (Cosi Fan Tutti)
Mozart Voi Che Sapete (Marriage of Figaro)
Haydn Symphony No. 83 “La Poule”
Rossini Overture to Il barbiere di Siviglia
Rossini Cruda sorte (L’Italiana in Algeri)
Rossini Una Voce Poco fa (Barber of Seville) 26′
Haydn Symphony No. 82 “The Bear”

One of the stars of the period instrument music scene and now a leading opera conductor, Corsican-born Jean-Christophe Spinosi makes his CBSO debut with a sparkling programme featuring this year’s anniversary composer Haydn. Two of the latter’s splendid Paris symphonies are separated by arias by Rossini, sung by one of today’s leading mezzos, acclaimed for her ‘Carmen’ at Glyndebourne.  www.cbso.co.uk

Review by Geoff Read, Seen and Heard, UK:

http://www.musicweb-international.com/sandh/2009/Jul-Dec09/birmingham_1811.htm

“…Shaham’s allure was equally to the fore in Rosina’s Una voce poco fa from Il Barbiere – a natural for the part of Rossini’s sex kitten. She was a veritable minx, but one with also a sting in her tale as her vigorous tantrum demonstrated. The orchestral closure after her thrilling climactic top was overtaken by the applause. We loved her but an encore in the middle of a concert? Not an option.  … “

Review by Christopher Morley, Birmingham Post:

http://www.birminghampost.net/life-leisure-birmingham-guide/birmingham-culture/music-in-birmingham/2009/11/19/review-cbso-play-haydn-mozart-and-rossini-at-birmingham-town-hall-65233-25208687/

CBSO Podcast

For a lovely interview with the superb violinist Janine Jansen, check out the CBSO Podcast at:

http://www.cbso.co.uk/?page=mycbso/podcasts/detail.html&id=48

Also includes a nice chat with Alan Titchmarsh.

Murray Perahia Plays Bach and Mozart

Fri 13 Nov 7:30pm at Symphony Hall

Academy of St Martin in the Fields
Murray Perahia piano/director

J C Bach Sinfonia Concertante in E flat, T288/7
Mozart Piano Concerto No 17 in G, K453
J S Bach Concerto No 3 in D, BWV1054
Mozart Symphony No 38, Prague

Maturity, elegance and simplicity are hallmarks of Murray Perahia’s performances. In the great classical works he is ardent, persuasive, but never dull. With this concert Perahia extends his range, directing Mozart and Bach from the keyboard and taking up the baton for the Prague Symphony – a work of grandeur, majesty and celebratory exuberance. www.thsh.co.uk

Encore: Final movement Haydn Symphony?

Review by Rian Evans, Guardian:

http://www.guardian.co.uk/music/2009/nov/16/asmf-perahia-review 

“The Academy of St Martin in the Fields is celebrating its half-century by touring Europe with Murray Perahia as pianist/director. ….The Academy players were alert to Perahia’s every nuance, with flautist Adam Walker and oboist Christopher Cowie outstanding.” 5/5

The Planets

Tuesday 10 November 2009 at 7.30pm

Symphony Hall, Birmingham +44 (0)121-780 3333

 John Wilson  conductor
Leon McCawley  piano
CBSO Youth Chorus  

Elgar: Cockaigne 15′
Grieg: Piano Concerto 30′
Holst: The Planets 48′ Listen
requires Real Player

Midland composers have always aimed high. Worcestershire lad Edward Elgar dreamed of making it big in the capital, and it shows: his Cockaigne overture positively glitters with the pageantry and bustle of Edwardian London. Gustav Holst, meanwhile, headed for the stars! His Planets suite isn’t just famous for great tunes like Jupiter and Mars; it’s a tremendous musical odyssey towards the infinite, written for a super-size orchestra and filled with sounds of jaw-dropping strangeness and beauty. Amidst all this grandeur, Grieg’s ever-popular Piano Concerto offers gentler charms – but with Leon McCawley at the keyboard, it will be every bit as spectacular. www.cbso.co.uk