thsh what's on guide feb & march 09

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Supported by

david byrnesunday 29 marchsymphOny hall

don’t miss 4

february events 4

march events 18

children’s events 30

rush hour blues /sax in the city 31

coming soon 32

public tours 33

dining, drinking & shopping 34

accessibility 35

booking information 36

seating plans 38

education/community 40

supporting town hall and symphony hall 41

concerts at a Glance 42

how to reach us 44

cOntentsWelcOmeWelcome to your guide to the shows at town hall and symphony hall in february and march.

for full details of all our upcoming events please contact the box Office on 0121 780 3333 or visit www.thsh.co.uk.

tOWn hall assOciate artists

the resident Orchestra

Of symphOny hall

black voices

Soweto Kinch

thomas trotter

page 2

town hall renovation Funded by

Project Part-Financedby the European Union

European RegionalDevelopment Fund

box oFFice 0121 780 3333 www.thsh.co.uk

mOnday 19 January, 7.30pm symphOny hall

Grace JOnesmusical maestro Grace Jones returns to the uK this January with the Hurricane tour.

Hurricane, the new lp co-produced by Grace herself along with ivor Guest, has seen ms Jones collaborate with old friends sly and robbie as well as the likes of brian eno, for her first studio album in nearly 20 years.

the show will see Grace perform tracks from Hurricane, which has firmly positioned her self back on the music-scape. With jaw dropping and spine tingling hooks and rhythms, Hurricane projects Grace at her most enigmatic.

as with everything Grace, expect the unexpected …

£35

dOn't missfriday 16 January, 3pm & 7.30pm symphOny hall

antOn & erin – cheeK tO cheeKJoin anton du beke and erin boag from bbc’s Strictly Come Dancing in a glamorous celebration of ballroom and latin song and dance. accompanied by salsa champions chris marques and Jaclyn spencer.

plus special guest singer, star of tv and stage richard shelton.

£15, £19.50, £27.50, £31.50, £36, £39.50

sunday 1 february, 3pm symphOny hall

family cOncert: all abOard!city of birmingham Symphony orchestra

andris nelsons conductor michael collie presenter

hop on board as the cbsO launches into gear and jets off around the world for an incredible musical journey on planes, trains, automobiles and much more besides. be transported by music including adams' Short Ride in a Fast Machine, villa-lobos' The Little Train of the Caipira, rossini's William Tell, the theme from Star Wars and coates' Dam Busters March. don’t miss the boat – buy your return ticket now, as the cbsO goes full steam ahead!

Free creative workshops and music in the foyers from 1.30pm. Why not come in fancy dress?

Special prices apply: adults £12, under 16s £6.50 any group of four people £27 Groups: 1 free adult ticket for every 8 children

february

extra date added due

to phenomenal demand:

WEDNESDAY 25 MARCH, 7.30PM

SYMPHONY HALL

page 4 www.thsh.co.uk box oFFice 0121 780 3333

mOnday 2 february, 1pm symphOny hall

lunchtime OrGan cOncertrupert Gough organ rachel Gough violin

includes music by rheinberger, massenet, Whitlock and rachmaninov.

adults £5, 60plus, full-time students, under 16s, unwaged £4

mOnday 2 february, 12pm tO 9pm tuesday 3 february, 10am tO 9pm Wednesday 4 february, 10am tO 9pm tOWn hall

chanGinG lifestyles exhibitiOntake control of your lifestyle changes at this one-stop ecological event. Changing Lifestyles brings together challenges and solutions in food, fashion, fuel, finance, so that in turbulent times you can make environmentally sound choices without sacrificing quality or style. the future is local – and looks and tastes good!

special guests include, Seiji mukai, director of the nagoya carbon & technology exchanges and advisor to the Japanese government on environmental matters, and nicola Giuggioli, ceO to colin firth’s eco age centre in chiswick.

special events include the launch of the midlands eco partnership for business on 3 february and the launch of food dvd – A Taste of Six Counties – on 4 february.

there will also be daily food and energy saving demonstrations and eco fashion displays each evening.

£6 day ticket or £9 for 3-day ticket

60plus, student, unwaged, £4.50 day ticket or £7.50 for 3-day ticket

mOnday 2 february, 7.30pm symphOny hall

michel leGrand and his Orchestrawith special guest alison moyet

michel legrand has charmed audiences for generations with his music. he is the winner of three Oscars, five Grammy awards, and two palmes d’Or. he has written the scores for numerous movie classics which include Yentl, The Thomas Crown Affair and The Umbrellas of Cherbourg. michel is an accomplished and innovative musician as gifted in jazz music as he is with classical and is one of the giants of popular song.

accompanying michel will be the mellifluous alison moyet, famed for her strong blues voice and award-winning music career spanning 26 years; from mainstream pop group yazoo, to solo artist, and more recently acting in the musical Chicago and the play Smaller both in the West end. Winner of three brit awards and Grammy nominee, her latest album The Turn was released in the uK in 2007 and the us in 2008.

£32.50, £35

michel legrand & alison moyet

page 5box oFFice 0121 780 3333 www.thsh.co.uk

tuesday 3 february, 7.30pm symphOny hall

celebratinG nielsen: sinfOnia espansivahallé Sir mark elder cbe conductor nadine livingston soprano alina pogostkina violin

Grieg peer Gynt suite no 1 13’ Sibelius violin concerto 31’ nielsen symphony no 3, Espansiva 38’

nielsen’s music is so fresh and clear that it’s not hard to hear it as a musical landscape painting – inspired by the countryside and folklore of his native denmark. his third symphony is simply radiant. conductor sir mark elder cbe and the hallé return as part of this joint cbsO & halle cycle with two more great scandinavian landscapes – the fire and ice of sibelius’ violin concerto and Grieg’s much-loved Peer Gynt suite; four of the most irresistible tunes ever written!

6.15pm Free pre-concert talk

£9.50, £13.50, £17, £20.50, £23.50, £28, £32, £37, £39.50

thursday 5 february, 2.15pm saturday 7 february, 7pm symphOny hall

dvOr�áK’s neW WOrldcity of birmingham Symphony orchestra

michal dworzyn�ski conductor alexander Kobrin piano

prokofiev symphony no 1, Classical 15’ rachmaninov rhapsody on a theme 25’ of paganini dvor �ák symphony no 9, 40’ From the New World

tunes galore with the cbsO. as if dvor�ák’s ever–popular New World symphony, with its unforgettable Largo (known to millions of hovis advert watchers!), wasn’t enough, this concert also features rachmaninov’s glorious Rhapsody on a Theme of Paganini. expect pure romance and dazzling piano-playing from the young russian soloist alexander Kobrin – even if valentine’s day is still a week away! prokofiev’s fizzy and ever-fresh classical symphony gets the evening off to a flying start.

5 feb: £9.50, £13.50, £17.50, £21.50, £24, £28, £32

7 feb: £9.50, £13.50, £17, £20.50, £23.50, £28, £32, £37, £39.50

thursday 5 february, 7.30pm tOWn hall

Juan martin flamencO ensemblevoted one of the top guitarists in the world by us Guitar player magazine, Juan martin brings his line-up of the finest dancers and musicians to town hall. martin’s ensemble is at the vanguard of modern flamenco, with a unique style of music that succeeds in embracing classical, jazz and modern harmonies. an evening of exhilarating music and dance not to be missed.

"A giant of the flamenco guitar tradition" the times

£10, £15, £20


friday 6 february, 2.30pm – 5pm tOWn hall

tea dance with Garry allcock and his all-Stars band

enjoy a wonderful dance in the glorious surroundings of town hall with live music from Garry allcock and his all-stars band.

£7.50 unreserved

friday 6 february, 8pm – 11pm tOWn hall

sOcial ballrOOm dancewith Garry allcock and his all-Stars band

the very best of social dancing in the elegant setting of town hall. live music provided by Garry allcock and his all-stars band.

£15 unreserved

friday 6 february, 7.30pm symphOny hall

friday niGht classics: a niGht at the Oscarscity of birmingham Symphony orchestra

carl davis conductor

put the champagne on ice and roll out the red carpet as silver-screen showman carl davis hosts this evening of Oscar-winning movie soundtracks and musicals. With themes that include The Lord of the Rings, Dr Zhivago, Lawrence of Arabia, Dances with Wolves, Titanic, Robin Hood, The Godfather, My Fair Lady, Porgy and Bess, Butch Cassidy & The Sundance Kid and Summer of '42. Join us for a night that celebrates the soundtrack to all our lives.

£9.50, £16, £22.50, £28, £32, £36, £39.50

saturday 7 february, 11am tOWn hall

children’s event: music tO yOur earsfor details please see page 30.


februarysunday 8 february, 11am tOWn hall

sunday mOrninG cOffee cOncertecho rising Stars Series minetti String Quartett

haydn string Quartet Op 64 no 4 22' webern six bagatelles Op 3 5' beethoven string Quartet in e minor 32' Op 59 no 2

since its formation in 2003 the minetti Quartett, consisting of four outstanding young austrian musicians, has enjoyed considerable success. the minetti Quartett has been chosen to participate by the european concert halls Organisation and they will also perform at amsterdam concertgebouw, stockholm Konserthuset, cité de la musique paris, and many more prestigious european venues.

£7.50 unreserved, under 16s £3.50

saturday 7 february, 8pm tOWn hall

teddy thOmpsOn with special guest tift merritt

A Piece of What You Need — thompson's fourth album overall and his third for verve — is the london-born, new york-based artist's most ambitious and accomplished effort to date, showcasing his formidable vocal, song writing and guitar talents while venturing into rewarding new musical and lyrical territory.

thompson's trademark blend of catchy songcraft, pensive emotional insight and good-natured black humour is present in such new tunes as In My Arms.

american singer/songwriter tift merritt opens the show with music from her extensive repertoire, including songs from her critically acclaimed album Tambourine.

£13

februarypage 8 www.thsh.co.uk box oFFice 0121 780 3333

sunday 8 february, 7.30pm symphOny hall

sharleen spiterisharleen spiteri, one of the most successful women in british music over the last 20 years, makes her solo debut at symphony hall this february – hot on the heels of her solo album Melody which went straight into the album charts at no 3, and has already been declared Gold for 100,000 sales.

the 2009 tour will see sharleen perform tracks from Melody for the first time, along with a few texas classics and, as always with sharleen, some musical surprises – all delivered by one of the best and most distinctive voices in british music.

£27.50

tuesday 10 february, 7.30pm tOWn hall

nash ensembleStrauss sextet (Capriccio) 6’ mozart Quintet in G minor, K516 33’ mendelssohn Octet 38’

rarely has a composer produced a work of such effortless genius as the sixteen-year-old mendelssohn’s Octet for strings – a miraculous stream of wonderful melody. the nash ensemble marks the 200th anniversary of mendelssohn’s birth (february 1809) with a performance of this masterpiece in the hall in which the composer once played and conducted. it is heard next to the delicious sextet from strauss’s Capriccio and the dark tragedy of mozart’s great G minor string Quintet.

6.15pm Free pre-concert talk: lyndon Jenkins recalls mendelsohnn's time in birmingham, 1837–1847

£5, £6.50, £10, £15, £20

60plus £5, £6.50, £9, £14, £18.50

mOnday 9 february, 1pm tOWn hall

lunchtime OrGan cOncertmendelssohn 200th anniversary concert

thomas trotter organ

mendelssohn prelude & fugue in c minor; andante in d with variations; sonata no 1 in f minor; nocturne & scherzo from A Midsummer Night's Dream; War march of the priests from Athalie



Wednesday 11 february, 7.30pm symphOny hall

bruch’s viOlin cOncertOcity of birmingham Symphony orchestra

pietari inkinen conductor laurence Jackson violin

mendelssohn A Midsummer Night’s Dream Overture, scherzo and Wedding march 20’ bruch violin concerto no 1 26’ Sibelius symphony no 1 38’

the passionate sweep of sibelius’ first symphony ends a programme full of romantic ardour – and the young finnish conductor pietari inkinen has this music in his blood. cbsO leader laurence Jackson performs bruch’s dreamy concerto, nearly always found near the top of the classic fm charts, while mendelssohn’s music for shakespeare’s tale of love and enchantment makes this the perfect night out for the week of valentine’s day!

£9.50, £13.50, £17, £20.50, £23.50, £28, £32, £37, £39.50

thursday 12 february, 7.30pm symphOny hall

ray lamOntaGneWith his remarkable, rough hewn vocals and evocative, finely etched songs, ray lamontagne has, in just a few years, become that rare artist for whom the world waits to see what each new work will reveal. now, on his much anticipated third album, the maine-based singer and songwriter has crafted a warm and welcoming record which unveils previously untapped depths of ingenuity and optimism. touching upon a range of styles and musical settings – spanning pastoral folk, railroad blues, front porch country, and plaintive balladry – Gossip in the Grain proves to be lamontagne’s most creative and emotionally expansive collection to date.

£19

friday 13 february, 11.30am & 1.30pm symphOny hall

schOOls cOncert: neW WOrld symphOnycity of birmingham Symphony orchestra

michael Seal conductor tommy pearson presenter

set sail for america with the cbsO, to hear the new World as the czech antonín dvor�ák experienced it in 1893 - full of promise and new sounds. the slow movement of this most popular of symphonies is renowned for featuring on the hovis advertisement, and today’s performances - devised especially for Key stage 2 children (years 5 & 6) - make this a perfect introduction to the sights and sounds of a symphony orchestra.

special prices apply: £4 per ticket for children and teachers, and home-schooling* children and parents. to book please call Group bookings on 0800 358 7070.*proof of eligibility, eg registration with your local authority, will be required

for pre-concert support packages for schools: contact the cbsO education department via email [email protected]



tchaiKOvsKy and shOstaKOvichrussian State philharmonic orchestra

valery poliansky conductor Julian lloyd webber cello tatyana polianskaya piano

tchaikovsky francesca da rimini 22’ Shostakovich piano concerto no 2 20’ tchaikovsky variations on a rococo theme 18’ Shostakovich symphony no 6 33’

the russian state philharmonic has the music of their homeland running strong in their blood. and with tonight’s celebrity soloists we can expect the powerful music of tchaikovsky and shostakovich to come to life in vivid technicolor: the illicit passion of tchaikovsky’s Francesca da Rimini offset by the mozartian elegance of the rococo variations the brilliance of shostakovich’s second piano concerto in stark contrast to the despair and joy of his sixth symphony.

6.15pm Free pre-concert talk: lyndon Jenkins in conversation with Julian lloyd webber

£5, £12.50, £18.50, £23.50, £27.50, £33.50, £37.50

60plus £11.50, £17, £21.50, £25, £31, £33.50

saturday 14 february, 7.30pm symphOny hall

valentine’s day lOve classicslondon concert orchestra

John rigby conductor nigel hutchison piano

verdi prelude to act 1 from La Traviata tchaikovsky swan lake suite Strauss roses from the south Waltz rachmaninov piano concerto no 2 mendelssohn hebrides Overture delius la calinda offenbach Overture from Orpheus in the Underworld mahler Adagietto from symphony 5

a superb concert of romantic classics for the day of classic romance, with a free valentine’s rose for every couple in the audience.

£21.50, £24.50, £28.50, £32.50

choir £11.50, £15.50

saturday 14 february, 8pm tOWn hall

an eveninG With barbara dicKsOnfor over four decades, barbara dickson has continued to deliver songs to the public in her own incomparable fashion. barbara dickson returns to town hall with her sensational show, providing audiences with a musical treat as she performs her classic hits, as well as other material in her own inimitable style.

"The chance to hear her sing a personal choice of favourite songs should not be missed" the times

£22.50, £24.50


februarysunday 15 february , 7.30pm symphOny hall

elaine paiGein this special 40th anniversary celebration elaine paige, the first lady of musical theatre, revisits her award-winning roles as she recaptures her performances in the shows she made famous including Evita, Cats, Chess, Piaf and Sunset Boulevard.

£27.50, £32.50, £35

Wednesday 18 february, 2.30pm tOWn hall

Wednesday matinee:bach’s brandenburGsorchestra of the Swan

david curtis conductor christine whiffen harpsichord david le page violin diane clark flute

handel concerto Grosso Op 6 no 9 bach suite in b minor bach brandenburg concerto no 4 bach brandenburg concerto no 5

few musical works are as loved by audiences and musicians – and as often performed – as the six brandenburg concertos by Johann sebastian bach, each concerto requiring a different combination of instruments and highly skilled soloists. the concertos performed today have demanding roles for violin, harpsichord, flute and recorder. bach's music transcends time and place, speaking as directly to performer and listener now as it did 250 years ago.

Free pre and post concert talks with david curtis and orchestra members.

£8.50, £12.50, £16.50, £19.50, choir benches £6.50

60plus £7.50, £11.50, £15, £17.50Orchestra of the swan are a town hall associate artist

Orchestra of the swan concert partners: smc corstorphine & Wright, drivers Jonas and couch perry & Wilkes


lunchtime OrGan cOncertthomas trotter organ

includes music by hindemith, bach, rorem, and Ketelbey.



friday 20 february, 7.30pm tOWn hall

radiO daysbbc big band

barry Forgie conductor

presented by and featuring the vocal talents of clare teal

the bbc big band recalls the golden age of radio when dance bands and big bands ruled the airwaves. Join them as they recreate the music of ted heath, ambrose, henry hall, the bbc northern dance Orchestra and many, many more.

£12.50, £16.50, £19.50

in association with bbc radio 2

bbc big band is a town hall associate artist

thursday 19 february, 1pm tOWn hall

britten sinfOnia at lunchcédric tiberghien piano Jacqueline Shave violin caroline dearnley cello Joy Farrall clarinet

debussy sonata for cello and piano richard harrold new Work (world première tour) thomas adès court studies (from The Tempest) Fauré piano trio

thomas adès’ court studies, from his highly acclaimed opera The Tempest are set alongside the music of the young composer richard harrold. a french theme permeates the rest of the programme with debussy’s cello sonata and fauré’s piano trio, late masterpieces full of lyrical energy and exuberance, performed by the celebrated young pianist cédric tiberghien with members of britten sinfonia.

£7.50,

60plus, under 16s, full-time students, unwaged £5

thursday 19 february, 7.30pm symphOny hall

transfiGured niGhtcity of birmingham Symphony orchestra

andris nelsons conductor

Schoenberg verklärte nacht 32’ messiaen et exspecto 26’ resurrectionem mortuorum Strauss tod und verklärung 24’

the cbsO’s new music director andris nelsons has already become a sensation in birmingham – hear why in this extraordinary concert showcasing three of his great musical passions. schoenberg’s Transfigured Night is a hot-blooded tale of illicit love, set to sensuously romantic music. messiaen’s Et exspecto is no less emotional – a compelling masterpiece from one of the few modern composers guaranteed to touch your heart. and richard strauss’s spectacular early tone-poem is simply great film music without the pictures!

“Nelsons… is a volcano of overt emotion … He's a man who radiates a passion for performance… The CBSO sounded like a band bewitched” the times september 2008


£9.50, £13.50, £17, £20.50, £23.50, £28, £32, £37, £39.50


februaryFRiDAY 20 FEbRuARY. 7.30PM SYMPHONY HALL

SYMPHONiC ROCkRoyal Philharmonic Orchestra Metro Voices

Nick Davies conductor

Following sell-out shows at London’s Royal Albert Hall, experience the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra performing great rock anthems and classic pop tracks, featuring hits by Queen, The Moody blues, The beatles, Procol Harum, u2, Madonna, bon Jovi, Meat Loaf and Eric Clapton. The show will also include a special tribute to legendary artist Tina Turner and a spectacular light show!

£11, £14.50, £19.50, £24.50, £28.50, £32.50

sunday 22 february, 7pm symphOny hall

cbsO yOuth Orchestraandris nelsons conductor christine rice mezzo-soprano

ravel daphnis et chloé – 16’ suite no 2 ravel shéhérazade 19’ mussorgsky pictures at an exhibition 30’ (orch. ravel)

andris nelsons demonstrates his commitment to birmingham’s young musicians in this, his debut appearance with the cbsO’s acclaimed youth Orchestra. and it’s all about colour. Whether in the gorgeous oriental fantasies of ravel’s impressionist song-cycle Shéhérazade, the brilliant sunrise that opens his Daphnis and Chloé suite or the glittering russian jewel-box of mussorgsky’s Pictures at an Exhibition, this is a programme to dazzle the ears. expect these superb young players to give it their all.

£12.50, standard cbsO discounts apply

nb for this concert adult family tickets cost £12.50 & child family tickets cost £6.50

saturday 21 february, 7.30pm tOWn hall

candi statOnplus guests

famed for her disco anthem Young Hearts Run Free, three times Grammy nominated southern soul and disco diva candi staton brings her sensational show to town hall.

taking on classics like That’s How Strong My Love Is, candi is the equal of such earlier interpreters as O.v. Wright and Otis reading, and when it comes to singing there really is no higher praise than that!

"Staton deserves to be right up there alongside Aretha and Gladys in the soul pantheon" mojo

£21

www.thsh.co.uk box oFFice 0121 780 3333

tuesday 24 february, 7.30pm Wednesday 25 february, 2.15pm symphOny hall

made in americacity of birmingham Symphony orchestra

andris nelsons conductor alban Gerhardt cello

adams the chairman dances (24 feb) 12’ brahms three hungarian dances (25 feb) 12’ dvor�ák cello concerto in b minor 40’ bartók concerto for Orchestra 35’

from the new World – three very different masterpieces, all written in america. forced into exile by the nazis, bartók wrote the ultimate orchestral showpiece – a gripping, defiant and ultimately joyful celebration of life. dvor�ák, homeward bound, poured out his emotions in the most gloriously tuneful cello concerto of them all. and John adams lets fly with a technicolor rhythmic workout that could only come from 1980s california!

a terrific showcase for the cbsO and its brilliant new music director andris nelsons.

“The Nelsons era with the CBSO promises to be exhilarating, his concerts unmissable” the independent, september 2008

24 feb: £9.50, £13.50, £17, £20.50, £23.50, £28, £32, £37, £39.50

25 feb: £9.50, £13.50, £17.50, £21.50, £24, £28, £32



includes music by Whitlock, bach and dubois.



THuRSDAY 26 FEbRuARY, 7.30PM SYMPHONY HALL

ERROL bROWN THE FAREWELL TOuRErrol brown, lead singer from Hot Chocolate, returns to the uk with his distinctive vocal style, which is always packed with soul on delivery, and gives the lyrical content of each song a depth of honesty. His songs have stood the test of time and are frequently heard on radio stations, commercials and at all good parties!

£23, £26


ultimate rOmantics 2: Gurreliederphilharmonia orchestra esa-pekka Salonen conductor ladies of the city of birmingham Symphony chorus men of the philharmonia voices Soile isokoski tove monica Groop Waldtaube Stig andersen Waldemar andreas conrad Klaus-narr ralf lukas bauer barbara Sukowa speaker

Schoenberg Gurrelieder 100’

the high-voltage combination of esa-pekka salonen and the philharmonia Orchestra unleash one of the ultimate and most gorgeous of all romantic works. from the sumptuous love music of the opening to the fantastic Wild hunt of spectres, the thrilling, kaleidoscopic score never lets the listener go. We promise you will love it!

6.15pm Free pre-concert talk: love and death in Gurrelieder

£5, £12.50, £18.50, £23.50, £27.50, £33.50, £37.50

60plus £11.50, £17, £21.50, £25, £31, £33.50.

stalls front four rows and choir not available.

tuesday 24 february, 8pm tOWn hall

tOm paxtOntom paxton’s songs are known and loved around the world: The Last Thing On My Mind, Ramblin’ Boy, and Bottle Of Wine, are just a few of his truly timeless works. his generosity to both audiences and fellow musicians is renowned, and his passion for justice and the ties that bind people together is unwavering: for all this and more, tom paxton ranks as one of the most revered musicians of his generation.

"I think we are all born singing Tom Paxton songs" nanci Griffith

£20

editOr’s chOice

februarypage 16 www.thsh.co.uk box oFFice 0121 780 3333

friday 27 february, 7.30pm tOWn hall

this is sOulfeaturing Geno washington & the ram Jam band, Jimmy James and pp arnold

this is Soul brings together the giants of soul music in one sensational show.

Geno washington and the ram Jam band are 60s soul legends, famously immortalised in the dexy’s midnight runners song Geno.

Jimmy James, formerly of the vagabonds, scored a hit with their cover of Red Red Wine, and he brings his own vintage style soul to this line-up.

completing this soul explosion is pp arnold, whose soulful vocals have graced classic hits such as Angel of the Morning and First Cut is the Deepest.

£22

saturday 28 february, 7pm sunday 1 march, 4pm symphOny hall

festival Of pOlish fOlKlOreall over the world where there are polish people, they keep to their old traditions and encourage a sense of belonging to their roots through song and dance. at symphony hall the uK's largest gathering of polish folk performers, featuring 12 groups and over 300 performers from across the uK, will take to the stage to bring polish culture alive.

from the fiery elegance and grandeur of national dance, the Krakowiak, to the acrobatic feats of strength found in the rural dances of the carpathian mountains, the 7th festival of polish folklore in Great britain has it all.

£15

saturday 28 february, 7.30pm tOWn hall

cOppers fOr Kidscharity concert in aid of action for children (formally known as nch)

west midlands police male voice choir

west midlands police brass band and corps of drums (performing with kind permission of the chief constable sir paul scott-lee Qpm)

hereford police choir

featuring special guests Second city Sound ladies chorus

this unique charity concert in aid of action for children brings together two of the country’s finest police choirs and the West midlands police brass band and features special guests, the glamorous second city sound ladies chorus for an evening filled with light, popular and entertaining music.

£17.50, £15 for groups of 15 or more


marchsunday 1 march, 7.30pm tOWn hall

tOWn hall cOnnectiOnscentral england ensemble

anthony bradbury conductor duncan honeybourne piano anna downes leader

Sibelius finlandia andrew downes concerto for piano and symphony Orchestra’ (World premiere performance) dvor�ák symphony no 9, New World

three composers with strong connections to town hall birmingham: dvor�ák and sibelius both conducted premieres here; downes sang here as chorister and soloist, and composed his Fanfare for a Ceremony for the town hall Open university ceremonies prior to its closure. his connections continue tonight with the World premiere of his piano concerto.

£12, 60plus, students, disabled patrons £10

mOnday 2 march, 1pm symphOny hall

lunchtime OrGan cOncertmatthais maierhofer organ

includes music by buxtehude, bach, nishimura and Karg-elert.


tuesday 3 march, 7.30pm tOWn hall

hayley Westenrathe five years since the release of hayley Westenra’s debut international album Pure have been a whirlwind. along with her second album Odyssey and her third, Treasure, she has achieved combined sales of well over three million albums around the world making her a household name in many countries and breaking many records along the way. Pure is still one of the fastest selling classical albums in the history of the uK charts and in december 2007 it was announced that hayley Westenra was the biggest selling classical artist of the 21st century to date.

£27.50

please note this event has been rescheduled from 13 november 2008.


Wednesday 4 march, 7.30pm & saturday 7 march, 7pm symphOny hall

viennese masters With macKerrascity of birmingham Symphony orchestra

Sir charles mackerras conductor imogen cooper piano

haydn symphony no 85, La Reine 21’ mozart piano concerto no 22, K482 33’ beethoven symphony no 7 36’

sir charles mackerras is a living legend, and tonight he brings all his experience to three of his favourite composers. the cbsO’s first contribution to this year’s haydn bicentenary celebrations comes in the smiling form of one of the composer’s ‘paris’ symphonies, while the enchanting british pianist imogen cooper plays one of mozart’s loveliest piano concertos. beethoven’s unstoppable seventh completes an evening of pure musical sunshine.

£9.50, £13.50, £17, £20.50, £23.50, £28, £32, £37, £39.50

WEDNESDAY 4 MARCH, 8PM TOWN HALL

ED bYRNE Different Class

Comedy favourite Ed byrne returns with a blisteringly funny new one-man show about marriage, class, the youth of today and anything else that strikes him as humorous. it is hard to say any more than that: he might end up doing an hour about going to the opera, for all we know. Oh no, he's done that.

“His wit won deafening cheers and feet stomping” The Guardian

£15

editOr’s chOice

thursday 5 march, 7.30pm tOWn hall

celebrity pianO recital: peter dOnOhOebrahms six pieces, Op 118 20’ brahms sonata no 3 in f minor 28’ Op 5 bach-busoni toccata, adagio and 15’ fugue, bWv564 liszt sonata in b minor 27’

peter donohoe’s performances are a dazzling fusion of passion, virtuosity and intellectual rigour. his recital ranges from the majesty of bach to the superhuman demands of liszt’s b minor sonata. before that come magical works by brahms reflecting the mature wisdom of the composer’s old age and the untamed ardour of his youth.

bbc music magazine’s editor, Oliver condy, explains why he has recommended tonight’s concert:“Donohoe is one of the most skilled musicians in this repertoire, the evening’s music-making should be full of plenty of memorable pyrotechnics …”

6.15pm Free pre-concert talk: peter donohoe in conversation with lyndon Jenkins

£5, £6.50, £10, £15, £20

60plus £5, £6.50, £9, £14, £18.50


marchfriday 6 march, 7.30pm tOWn hall

russian picturesuniversity of warwick Symphony orchestra and chorus

paul mcGrath and lucy Griffiths conductors warren mailley-Smith piano

mussorgsky pictures at an exhibition Stravinsky symphony of psalms rachmoninov piano concerto 2

the university of Warwick symphony Orchestra perform throughout the year at various prestigious venues. for this concert they will be joining with the university of Warwick chorus who are the largest music centre society at the university and regularly put on performances with 150 – 250 singers.

£6, 60plus, students, unwaged, £4

saturday, 7 march, 11am tOWn hall

children’s event: KidsamOniumfor details see page 30.

saturday 7 march, 7.30pm tOWn hall

fairpOrt cOnventiOnwith special guest

enjoy an evening of great music with fairport convention, the legendary originators of british folk-rock, featuring simon nicol (guitar, vocal), dave pegg (bass, backing vocal), chris leslie (fiddle, mandolin, vocal), ric sanders (violin), and Gerry conway (drums).

they have attracted huge critical acclaim and have delighted audiences for over four decades, not least on the groups annual winter tours and at their world-famous music festival at cropredy.

in 2009, fairport convention's greatest strength is still live performance and this concert will present an exciting mix of the old and new. longstanding fairport favourites such as Matty Groves will share the bill with new songs from the band's most recent albums.

£21

sunday 8 march, 3pm tOWn hall

brahms: a German reQuiemenglish concert Singers, chorus and orchestra

roy wales conductor helena dix soprano william berger baritone

mendelssohn hebrides Overture Fingal’s Cave vaughan williams serenade to music brahms a German requiem Op 45

to celebrate their 20th anniversary year, the 200 performers of the english concert singers, chorus and Orchestra, present brahms’ greatest choral work. vaughan Williams’ beautiful, lyrical Serenade to Music (choral version) and mendelssohn’s colourful overture complete this special anniversary concert.

£10, £15, £20, £25

60 plus, full-time students, under 16s, unwaged £8, £13, £18, £23


sunday 8 march, 4pm symphOny hall

staffOrdshire sinGs 2008Staffordshire Songbirds

Staffordshire primary Schools massed choir

Staffordshire ‘mind the Gap’ Sing up projects with staffordshire youth Orchestra east and Guest artists and conductors

a celebration of singing presented by staffordshire performing arts service, in partnership with national sing up. the concert is sponsored by the friends of staffordshire young musicians

£6, £8, £10, £12, £15

Wednesday 11 march, 7.30pm tOWn hall

curzOnOra:a celebration of cinema’s early days Featuring the destroyers

before cinemas came along, audiences flocked to fairgrounds and public halls to witness the amazing novelty of ‘animated pictures’. Waller Jeffs was one of the most prominent showmen of the 1900s, cramming up to 3,000 people into his film shows at birmingham’s curzon hall. to launch the third flatpack festival, 15-piece outfit the destroyers will recount his tale with a dazzling stew of film, music and performance.

£12

mOnday 9 march, 1pm tOWn hall

lunchtime OrGan cOncertbirmingham university Singers

thomas trotter organ John whenham director

britten festival te deum in e Jubilate in c mozart coronation mass

adults £5, 60plus, full-time students, under 16s, unwaged £4.


marchthursday 12 march, 7.30pm symphOny hall

the damnatiOn Of faustcity of birmingham Symphony orchestra

city of birmingham Symphony chorus & youth chorus

ludovic morlot conductor Jean-pierre Furlan faust ruxandra dunose marguérite nicholas cavallier mephistopheles Jonathan lemalu brander

berlioz the damnation of faust 125’

a pact with the devil, a chorus of drunken students, unfulfilled love and a final, terrifying ride to the abyss – berlioz’s colourful choral spectacular has it all! featuring such highlights as the hungarian march and dance of the sylphs, tonight’s cbsO performance under an outstanding french conductor provides a welcome opportunity for birmingham audiences to revel in berlioz’s outlandish imagination.


£9.50, £13.50, £17, £20.50, £23.50, £28, £32, £37, £39.50

friday 13 march, 7.30pm symphOny hall

brainiac live!the show that laughs in the face of Science

strap on your safety goggles: science's greatest and most volatile show is arriving here with a vengeance. sky One’s multi award-winning Brainiac opens with a bang live on stage, more mischievous than ever seen before, on a breathless ride through the wild world of the weird and wonderful.

Watch as we delve fearlessly into the mysteries of science and do all of those things on stage that you shouldn’t try at home!

£18.50, under16s, full-time students £16.50

thursday 12 march, 1pm tOWn hall

britten sinfOnia at lunchbritten Sinfonia

Jacqueline Shave violin/director nicholas daniel oboe/cor anglais

purcell ed. britten Chacony in G minor paweł mykietyn new Work (world première tour) John woolrich Quiddities Schoenberg verklärte nacht

for the final concert in their lunchtime series, britten sinfonia draws on a programme devised by John Woolrich. his evocative Quiddities – written for nicholas daniel and britten sinfonia in 2005 – is set alongside a new work from one of poland’s finest young composers pawel mykietyn. there is also a chance to hear schoenberg’s beautiful Verklärte Nacht at its most transparent and delicate in the original string sextet version.

£7.50, 60plus, under 16s, full-time students, unwaged £5


friday 13 march, 8pm tOWn hall

nOah and the Whaleplus support

playing their first gig in 2006, 4-piece folk rock band noah and the Whale burst onto the scene in 2008 with their huge summer hit 5 Years Time, and their album Peaceful, the World Lays Me Down, which made the uK top 10 albums chart.

£12 stalls unreserved standing and circle reserved seating

sunday 15 march, 7.30pm symphOny hall

the hOlliestony hicks, ray Stiles, peter howarth, Steve lauri, ian parker and bobby elliott.

according to a certain Guinness book of british hit singles, throughout the 1960s and 1970s, the hollies had more hit records than the beatles. from Just One Look and Bus Stop – to their power anthems – He Ain’t Heavy, He’s My Brother and Air That I Breathe.

On stage, their five decades of music is, as always, driven by bobby elliott’s powerful drumming and led by tony hicks’s incisive guitar playing, vocals and narrative: the inside story on how the hollies’ classic recordings were created, occasionally seasoned with the odd morsel of backstage gossip.

the live performance is pure hollies. trademark harmonies, coupled with sheer musical prowess – each song spectacularly showcased by its own brilliant lightshow. cast aside any prejudices that you may have about rock‘n’pop being the domain of youngsters, the hollies still hack it in a major way.

£18.50, £25

saturday 14 march, 7.30pm symphOny hall

americadue to phenomenal public demand, one of the legendary bands to emerge from the 1970s country-rock scene, america, return to the uK.

hits like I Need You, Ventura Highway, Don't Cross The River and Sister Golden Hair were cornerstones of fm rock radio and their classic greatest hits collection history sold over 4 million copies.

in 1972 the classic A Horse With No Name made america a global phenomenon, paving the way for an impressive string of hits that seamlessly assimilated strands of rock, pop, and folk elements into a thrilling musical mix.

£32.50


marchmOnday 16 march, 1pm tOWn hall

lunchtime OrGan cOncertroger Judd organ

includes music by bach, parry and stainer.


tuesday 17 march, 7.30pm & thursday 19 march 2.15pm symphOny hall

schubert’s Greatcity of birmingham Symphony orchestra

walter weller conductor Sergey Kuznetsov piano

Glinka ruslan and ludmila – Overture tchaikovsky piano concerto no 1 Schubert symphony no 9, The Great

always a favourite with birmingham audiences, the great austrian conductor Walter Weller conducts the cbsO in one of the supreme masterworks from his native vienna – schubert’s last and grandest symphony. tchaikovsky’s hugely popular concerto nearly never saw the light of day, its dedicatee denouncing it as “poorly composed and unplayable”. Well, pianists and audiences since 1874 have tended to disagree, as this has become a true favourite in the classical repertoire!

17 mar: £9.50, £13.50, £17, £20.50, £23.50, £28, £32, £37, £39.50

19 mar: £9.50, £13.50, £17.50, £21.50, £24, £28, £32


university Of birminGham chOir and philharmOnic Orchestradaniele rosina conductor

bernstein chichester psalms elgar variations on an Original theme for orchestra, Op 36, Enigma Fauré requiem in d minor, Op 48

£12, concessions £8, students £5


saturday 21 march, 7pm symphOny hall

britten’s War reQuiemthe royal opera chorus the orchestra of the royal opera house

antonio pappano conductor emma bell soprano ian bostridge tenor Simon Keenlyside baritone

tiffin boys’ choir

britten War requiem 90’

the War requiem is one of britten’s most powerful works, born out of his fiercely held pacifism. the work mixes powerful settings of the poems of Wilfred Owen, describing the horrors of war, with the words of the requiem mass, and ultimately offers the hope of reconciliation. no tenor is more associated with britten’s music at the moment than ian bostridge, heard here alongside the equally outstanding baritone of simon Keenlyside and leading young soprano emma bell.


£5, £15, £22.50, £30, £36.50, £42.50, £50

60plus £5, £14, £21, £27.50, £33, £38.50, £45please note there is no interval.

Wednesday 18 march, 7.30pm symphOny hall

same differencex factor finalists and pop sensations same difference visit symphony hall with a selection of great pop music including their debut single We R One. it is the kind of pop anthem the world has been crying out for since the turn of the millennium. laden with uplifting hooks and feel-good harmonies, sean and sarah prove they have certainly graduated from the school of reality tv with distinction, and are destined for pop royalty.

£23.50

friday 20 march, 7.30pm symphOny hall

verdi’s reQuiemthe royal opera chorus the orchestra of the royal opera house

antonio pappano conductor barbara Frittoli soprano olga borodina mezzo-soprano piotr beczala tenor ildar abdrazakov bass

verdi requiem 90’

verdi’s requiem is one of the greatest choral masterpieces of all time, often described as an opera in all but name. charged with passion, terrifying force, tenderness and consolation, this music comes straight from the composer’s heart. his sumptuous and dramatic choral writing gives us the chance to hear one of the world’s great opera choruses, in what promises to be a searing performance of this great score.


£5, £15, £22.50, £30, £36.50, £42.50, £50

60plus £5, £14, £21, £27.50, £33, £38.50, £45please note there is no interval.

sponsored by

editOr’s chOice

recOmmended by

same difference


marchmOnday 23 march, 1pm tOWn hall


includes music by handel, mozart, elgar and ligeti.



birminGham music servicea delightful concert from talented school children from around birmingham. performers include birmingham schools' string sinfonia, brass ensemble, training Jazz ensemble, azaad dhol Group, central choir and concert band.

£10, 60plus, unwaged, under16s £5

sunday 22 march, 7.30pm symphOny hall

the music Of llOyd Webberrichard ward-roden conductor

starring daniel boys, chrissie hammond, helen hobson, Scott davis

for many years the hugely prolific andrew lloyd Webber has dominated the theatre stage in the West end and broadway, but enjoyed unrivalled chart and commercial success, too. having written some of the world's most covered compositions, in recent years he has taken on the role of mentor in television's American Idol, and How Do You Solve a Problem Like Maria, Any Dream Will Do, as well as I'd Do Anything.

Join the showbiz pops Orchestra, and four of the West end’s finest stars in an evening of excerpts from the musicals of the world's most successful composer – including The Phantom of the Opera, Cats, Evita, Jesus Christ Superstar, Starlight Express, Sunset Boulevard, Aspects of Love, Tell Me on a Sunday, Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat and many other lloyd Webber favourites.

£22.50, £26.50, £30


mOnday 23 march, 7.30pm tOWn hall

schOOl aidcolleen lee piano alvin wong cello

bach-busoni chaconne 15’ Schumann fantasy in c major, Op 17 28’ debussy sonata for cello and piano 11’ brahms sonata for cello and piano 20’ no 2 chopin introduction and polonaise 8’ brilliante

programme will also include traditional chinese pieces.

£12, 60plus, under 16s, full and part-time students £10presented by the birmingham chinatown lions club in conjunction with the hong Kong economic and trade Office in london, hong Kong special administrative region

in aid of the Overseas chinese association school

thursday 26 march, 7.30pm tOWn hall

cOurtney pine & Jazz WarriOrs afrOpeanscourtney pine’s Jazz Warriors were a seminal black british big band from the 1980s, shaking up the uK jazz scene by celebrating the wealth of funk and reggae-influenced afro-caribbean talent.

in 2007, as part of the events marking the 200th anniversary of the abolition of the slave trade act, courtney led a freshly minted Jazz Warriors in a concert and album themed around the experience of what he calls ‘afropeans’ – people of african descent who were born in or live in europe. the result was an extraordinary ensemble of leading uK jazz soloists, including the likes of dennis rollins, tony Kofi, Jay phelps, Jason yarde and Omar puente.

“Hugely entertaining” the times

£16.50, £18.50

presented in association with the drum

Wednesday 25 march, 2.30pm tOWn hall

Wednesday matinee: essential mahlerorchestra of the Swan

david curtis conductor Gillian Keith soloist

debussy arr schoenberg l’aprés midi d’un faune berlioz arr matthews nuits d’été mahler arr stein symphony no 4

three of the most popular works by their respective composers, in small orchestra versions that are every bit as delightful as the originals.

Free pre and post concert talks with david curtis and orchestra members.

£8.50, £12.50, £16.50, £19.50, choir benches £6.50

60plus £7.50, £11.50, £15, £17.50

Orchestra of the swan are a town hall associate artistOrchestra of the swan corporate partner: clarke Willmott


marchsaturday 28 march, 7.30pm symphOny hall

last niGht Of the sprinG prOmslondon concert orchestra

Stephanie corley soprano John marshall tenor John pryce-Jones conductor

Strauss die fledermaus Overture verdi prelude to act 1 & brindisi from La Traviata; la donna è mobile from Rigoletto dvor�ák slavonic dance rossini Galop from William Tell puccini O soave fanciulla from La Bohème coates calling all Workers Sousa semper fidelis denza funiculi, funicula Goodwin those magnificent men in their flying machines tchaikovsky Waltz Of the flowers from The Nutcracker Sullivan HMS Pinafore Overture

a feast of uplifting classics crowned with a jubilant proms finale.

£11.50, £15.50, £21.50, £24.50, £28.50, £32.50

saturday 28 march, 7pm tOWn hall

haydn’s surprisecity of birmingham Symphony orchestra

andrew manze conductor angela hewitt piano

haydn symphony no 94, Surprise mendelssohn piano concerto no 1 haydn piano sonata no 52 in e flat mendelssohn symphony no 5, Reformation

following an electrifying cbsO debut last season, andrew manze celebrates two of this year’s anniversary composers, in the very building in which mendelssohn had some of his greatest triumphs. his reformation symphony combines protestant and catholic themes in a wonderfully fresh manner, while haydn’s music is always full of surprises! the incomparable canadian pianist angela hewitt plays major works by both composers.


£9.50, £17, £23.50, £32, £39.50

thursday 26 march, 7.30pm symphOny hall

tWO trad-Jazz leGends tOGethermr acker bilk and his paramount Jazz band

chris barber big band

acker bilk and his paramount Jazz band gained worldwide fame with his international hit singles Stranger On The Shore in 1962 and Aria in 1976. chris barber celebrates his sixtieth year as a bandleader in 2008/09, having notched up over 10,000 concerts and thousands of recordings. don’t miss a night of phenomenal trad-jazz from these true legends.

£19.50, £21.50, £23.50



tOKyO Quartetdavid watkin cello

haydn string Quartet in c, 25’ Op 76 no 3, Emperor mendelssohn string Quartet in 30’ a minor, Op 13 Schubert string Quintet in c, d956 55’

schubert’s string Quintet is one of the jewels in the crown of the chamber music repertoire. its warm-hearted melodies and the rare beauty of its slow movement have made it one of the most popular Desert Island Discs for countless music-lovers. the incomparable tokyo Quartet is celebrated for its ravishing refinement of tone and ensemble. they perform schubert’s masterpiece alongside haydn’s much-loved Emperor Quartet and the fresh innocence of mendelssohn’s early Quartet in a minor.

£5, £6.50, £10, £15, £20

60plus £5, £6.50, £9, £14, £18.50

mOnday 30 march, 1pm tOWn hall

lunchtime OrGan cOncertmargaret phillips organ

includes music by Weber, bach, mendelssohn, and sixten.


sunday 29 march, 8pm symphOny hall

david byrne: sOnGs Of david byrne and brian enOdavid byrne is the force behind talking heads and the creator of the highly-regarded record label luaka bop. this tour will feature byrne performing songs from his numerous collaborations with brian eno, including tracks from several talking heads albums produced by eno, the pair’s 1981 collaboration My Life in the Bush of Ghosts and their newest collaborative effort, Everything That Happens Will Happen Today.

“the live shows will try to draw a line linking this new material with what we did 30 years ago” explains byrne.

£35


children’s eventssaturday 7 march, 11am – 1pm tOWn hall

KidsamOniumKidsamonium is a magical musical event that lets kids see the exciting power and freedom of jazz and improvised music up close in a format they can digest. short contributions by a range of artists (including a join-in mass ‘percussion discussion’) combine with performances and interactive musical games by a troupe of musical characters. led by tom bancroft, ‘the King’, children listen to amazing feats of musicianship, as well as participate in a massed kazoo call and response session …the show ends with the hilarious ‘mums and dads dancing’ section …

event recommended for children aged 7 and under.

adults £5, 60plus £4.50, under 16s £2.50, family ticket (4 people minimum 1 adult and 1 child) £12

saturday 7 february, 11am – 1pm tOWn hall

music tO yOur ears do you know how sound is produced and have you any idea what it looks like? Want to see an instrument played with a blow-torch? have you ever wondered how cd and mp3 players work?

come along to this unusual interactive, high-energy demonstration and discover the secrets of sound. Witness the ultimate ‘hands-free’ instrument, find out how your ears work and how they can be damaged by loud music.

event recommended for children aged 7 and under.

adults £5, 60plus £4.50, under 16s £2.50, family ticket (4 people minimum 1 adult and 1 child) £12

Kidsamonium

music to your ears


Free jazz in Symphony hall’s level 3 bar on Friday evenings at 5.30pm

after a long week at work come along and unwind in the intimate, relaxing atmosphere of symphony hall’s level 3 bar and let the sensational sounds of rush hour blues help you find that friday feeling. it’s all free – and you deserve it!

“It’s free and it really is the place to be.” birmingham post

presented in association with birmingham Jazz.

rush hOur blues

6 february

steve yemba & crOssrOad cOllisiOn

13 february

ben marKland Quintet

20 february

tim amann and the x-tet

27 february

tOm chapman band

6 march

Jim Winn nOnet

13 march

university Of birminGham biG band

20 march

ian hill Quartet

27 march

pOll Winners cOncert

Featuring andy hamilton and the blue notes

one Saturday lunchtime per month in Symphony hall’s level 3 bar

7 february, 12.30pm – 3.30pm 7 march, 12.30pm – 3.30pmrelax with birmingham jazz legend andy hamilton as he brings you the finest in jazz together with his band the blue notes.

“Sumptuous, sensuous, gifted … Hamilton’s sound is irresistible” the Guardian

supported by arts council england.

sax in the city page 31box oFFice 0121 780 3333 www.thsh.co.uk

friday 3 april, 7.30pm symphOny hall

cbsO silent herOes: chaplin’s circusmOvies With live sOundtracK

£10, £14, £16.50, £19.50, £22.50, £25, £29

saturday 4 april, 7.30pm tOWn hall

Orchestra baObab£17.50, £19.50

Wednesday 8 april, 8pm thursday 9 april, 8pm symphOny hall

JacKsOn brOWne£40

friday 17 april, 7.30pm tOWn hall

mOtOrcity rOOtsfeaturing Jazz Jamaica all-stars

£16.50

cOminG sOOnsaturday 2 may, 7.30pm sunday 3 may, 7.30pm symphOny hall

chris de burGh£35, £40, £45

friday 15 may saturday 16 may sunday 17 may tOWn hall & symphOny hall

enGlish OriGinals festivaldetails available at www.thsh.co.uk/englishoriginals2009

mOnday 18 may, 7.30pm tOWn hall

an audience With paddy ashdOWn£16

mOnday 25 may, 7.30pm symphOny hall

leOn JacKsOn£23.50

Jazz cameraan exhibitiOn Of phOtOGraphsby JOhn WatsOnJazz camera, on symphony hall level 4 & 5 foyers, features images of jazz legends and rising stars by photographer and music journalist John Watson, who this year marks 40 years of covering the West midlands music scene.

the exhibition runs from tuesday 3 march until tuesday 31 march. Open 10am–6pm and during evening performances.


thursday 19 february, 11amtuesday 24 february, 11amthursday 12 march, 11amtuesday 17 march, 11amJoin our tour guides on an exciting journey around symphony hall. discover the world-famous acoustics within the stunning auditorium. you’ll have the chance to see where the stars relax by visiting a dressing room, learn about the history of the venue and find out about the magnificent symphony Organ.

tours last approximately an hour and a half.

sunday 8 february, 2pm & 3pm

tuesday 10 february, 10.30am & 11.30am

Wednesday 4 march, 10.30am & 11.30am

mOnday 9 march, 2.30pm & 3.30pmacclaimed at its opening in 1834 as the finest music hall in the country, this Grade 1 listed landmark has been lovingly and painstakingly renovated by a dedicated team of conservation and construction professionals.

come and discover the town hall, learn about performers past and present, find out about the history and heritage and discover its transformation since its closure in 1996.

tours last approximately an hour.

public tOurs

£6, 60plus, full-time students, under 16s, unwaged, disabled patrons £5

please advise the box Office at the time of the booking if any member of your group will be in a wheelchair or has difficulty walking.

town hall and symphony hall now offer british sign language interpreted public tours. to book a bsl public tour or for more information, please email the thsh education/community department – [email protected].

tO bOOK tOurs please call the bOx Office On 0121 780 3333

bECOME OuR FRiENDAs a Friend of Town Hall and Symphony Hall, you can enjoy yourself, involve yourself and encourage the enjoyment of others. You will receive exclusive Friends benefits, including advance mailings, newsletters, invitations to events and ticket offers, and also be supporting the work undertaken by Town Hall and Symphony Hall. Friends membership also makes the perfect gift for birthdays, anniversaries or to say thank you!

For further information on being our Friend please contact Sara Moore on 0121 644 5072, or email [email protected].

tOWn hallsymphOny hall


february

the centre shOpadjacent to the cloakroom off the icc mall, offering a range of gifts, souvenirs, cards, newspapers, magazines and confectionery.

cafÉ vitesituated in the icc mall, open 7 days a week offering a fantastic range of high quality food and drink.

Opening times may vary please see the café or www.thsh.co.uk/page/planning-your-visit/eating-and-drinking for details.

fOyer barssymphony hall’s foyer bars open an hour before the start of a concert and stay open for the interval and post concert on level 3, serving a variety of drinks and snacks. to pre-order interval drinks download a form from www.thsh.co.uk/page/planning-your-visit/eating-and-drinking.

dininG, drinKinG & shOppinG

cOffee barsituated in the main foyer of town hall and serving light snacks and refreshments. Open 10am until the end of the interval on concert evenings, until 5pm monday to friday, when there is no evening show, and until 4pm at weekends, when there is no evening show.

fOyer barstown hall’s foyer bars open an hour before the start of a concert and stay open for the interval and post concert on the lower and circle levels, serving a variety of hot and cold drinks. to pre-order interval drinks download a form from www.thsh.co.uk/page/planning-your-visit/eating-and-drinking.

dOn’t fOrGet!a range of gifts and souvenirs are available from our Gift desk during concerts including our cuddly squirrel mascots, mouse mats, greeting cards and even musical fridge magnets!

a limited mail order service is also available, please contact us on 0121 200 2382 for further details.

tOWn hallsymphOny hall

free Wi-fi at tOWn halltown hall coffee bar now provides totally free Wi-fi access without having to subscribe to a specific provider. all you have to do is make any purchase from the coffee bar, and you will receive the daily password.

town hall is the perfect meeting place for business or pleasure, with its prime location in victoria square. it has been one of birmingham’s major landmarks since 1834, and has recently undergone a £35 million restoration.

page 34

easy access throughout the buildings and adapted toilets. town hall auditorium is equipped with a hearing loop system, in which hearing aids need to be switched to the t position. symphony hall auditorium uses an infra-red system, receivers are available free of charge from the duty manager. Guide dogs welcome.

for town hall, we are delighted to announce the creation of a limited number of parking spaces for blue badge holders directly outside town hall (accessed from paradise circus). these spaces must be booked in advance by calling the town hall stage door on 0870 761 0616. please have your blue badge number and vehicle registration number to hand when you call. additionally, wheelchair users may be dropped off outside town hall at paradise circus.

for symphony hall, wheelchair users may be dropped off in King alfred place, at the entrance to the icc. limited parking is also available at the icc and must be pre-booked. to book call the box Office on 0121 780 4949. requests for 4 or more concerts must be put in writing to town hall and symphony hall box Office, symphony hall, broad street, birmingham, b1 2ea. please allow at least 7 working days for a reply.

if you would like more information about parking for blue badge holders in the birmingham area please call 0121 303 6644.

Wheelchair positions for patrons who need to remain in their wheelchairs during the performance, are located in the stalls and circle of town hall and on the ground level of symphony hall. if you need a wheelchair place please book in advance on 0121 780 4949.

accessibility this guide is available free of charge on audiocassette or braille (on request) from lynda shaw, sound services, vista, margaret rd. (off Gwendolen rd), leicester, le5 5fu

tel: 0116 249 8817

email: [email protected]

facilities fOr disabled patrOns

0121 780 4949minicOm line 0121 644 6140

complete your town hall and symphony hall experience with a visit to our shop. situated in the icc mall, the shop offers a range of town hall and symphony hall inspired gifts and an exceptional range of music.

OpeninG times11am to 6pm monday to saturday and until late on concert nights.

for more information call 0121 200 2382

specialist music shOp

T e ShOp

page 35

february

hOW tO bOOK WWW.thsh.cO.uKfor full price and some discounted tickets. there is a £1 postage and administration fee. if you require any other reduced price tickets, contact the box Office on 0121 780 3333. by phOne call our box Office on 0121 780 3333 in persOn town hall and symphony hall box Office at town hall in victoria square or symphony hall on broad street. the symphony hall box Office is open 10am – 6pm (8pm on concert nights) monday to friday. the town hall box Office is open 10am – 6pm (8pm on concert nights), or 11am – 5pm when there are no public events, monday to friday. Weekend opening hours vary. by pOst please add £2 to the cost of your tickets for postage and administration and send payment to town hall & symphony hall box Office, symphony hall, broad street, birmingham, b1 2ea.

Please do not send cash through the post.

hOW tO pay by credit/debit card if paying by post please include the expiry date (and issue number for maestro cards) and the address of the registered cardholder (tickets will be sent to this address). by cheQuecheques should be made payable to performances birmingham ltd with the amount left open, but stating an upper limit in the bottom left hand corner

discOuntsdiscounts vary from concert to concert; please check our website or ask for details when booking. birminGham internatiOnal cOncert seasOn 2008/09discounted tickets are available for concert package bookers, groups of 11 or more, families, students and young people under 25, benefit recipients and through the birmingham passport to leisure scheme.

city Of birminGham symphOny Orchestra seasOn 2008/09

discounted tickets are available for concert package bookers, groups of 11 or more, families, students and young people 25 and under, benefit recipients and through the birmingham passport to leisure scheme.

GrOups Of 11 Or mOre

discounts on selected concerts. for further information or to make a booking, phone our Group booking department on freephOne 0800 358 7070, open 10am to 5pm monday to friday.

all tickets are offered subject to availability. proof of eligibility may be required when purchasing/collecting reduced price tickets. discounts vary per concert please check with the box Office.

bOOKinG infOrmatiOnpage 36

cOncerts by cOach these coach schemes are organised by regular concert–goers.

telford & newport: the newport music coach, anita davies 01952 813340

south shropshire: the concerts coach, frank north 01743 790400

shropshire & mid-Wales: ludlow & district theatre & arts Group, bronwen coldwell 01584 831323

droitwich & bromsgrove: bromsgrove music tours, Jennie mcGregor smith 01527 872422

leominster & hereford: mary seldon, 01885 482543. email: [email protected]

disclaimerinformation and prices in this guide were correct at the time of going to press – please check prior to booking. unforeseen circumstances, however, may result in changes to the published programme or named artists. the timings given for each piece are for guidance and may vary in performance.

performances birmingham limited – a company controlled by birmingham city council – is a registered charity no. 1053937. registered in england no. 3169600. registered Office: symphony hall, broad street, birmingham, uK b1 2ea.

design: essence design limited

photography: symphony hall, adrian burrows, mike Gutteridge, hanya (nash ensemble), michael stewart (tom paxton), susie ahlburg (peter donohoe), christian ducasse (tokyo Quartet).

lOst ticKetsa charge may be made for printing duplicate tickets.

data prOtectiOnOnce you have booked tickets for town hall or symphony hall all your contact details will be held and processed on our box Office marketing database and from time to time we may send you information about town hall and symphony hall and their programme of events and activities using any one of the contact methods you have provided. Other arts organizations and companies carefully selected by performances birmingham may also be interested in sending you information on events and products they think will be of interest. if you do not want your details to be passed to another organization please tell us at the time of booking. (data protection act (1984). registration no. x3281 12 8.)

page 37

seatinG plans

RIGHT SIDE CIRCLE

LEFT SIDE CIRCLE

CIRCLE

STALLS

PLATFORM

CHOIRBENCHES

GRAND TIERLevel 5A

UPPER CIRCLE Level 5

CIRCLELevel 4

STALLSLevel 3

STALLSTERRACES

Level 3

PLATFORM

CHOIRLevel 4

CHOIRLevel 4

CHORUS BOX

symphOny halltOWn hall

page 38

Our partners

rush hOur blues and is presented in assOciatiOn With

sax in the city is suppOrted bybbc biG band cOncerts presented in assOciatiOn With

verdi’s reQuiem spOnsOred by

page 39

educatiOn/cOmmunitythe promotion of music as a life-enhancing experience is at the heart of performances birmingham’s work. symphony hall has a long history of working with 5–18 year olds, offering many ways to participate and develop skills whilst supporting teachers and group leaders. town hall helps to extend this work by providing additional performance, training and lifelong learning opportunities for under 5s, families and senior citizens from all walks of life. We expect to reach more than 20,000 people every year.

We currently run five programmes of activity and for more information, especially regarding tours, please contact the education/community department on 0121 644 6051 or email [email protected].

• The Science of Sound/organ looking at the acoustics, architecture, and engineering of both symphony hall and town hall and the music, materials, maths and mechanics of both organs.

• Singing large-scale choral events for primary school children and choral training for teachers. We are very grateful for the support we receive from the patrons of our singing programme – the peter & Jane how trust.

• diScovering our heriTage telling the story of birmingham’s social, architectural, political and musical history focusing on the contribution of both the town hall and symphony hall.

• inSpiring performance Opportunities for young people to engage and perform with professional artists, contribute to our performance programme, design and run their own events, undertake hands-on training and access courses in multi-media and music technology. We run a series of interactive family events at town hall on the first saturday of each month.

• Technology in muSic Our projects use technology in fun and innovative ways to inspire children and young people to explore music, the arts and their own imagination! Working within our unique concert halls and our cutting edge patrick musictech studio we strive to integrate technology with artists and performances to create an inspiring musical experience for all involved.

photographs taken as part of edgbaston arts champions project by Jonathan lee

page 40

cOrpOrate spOnsOrs:

cOrpOrate friends:

business partners:bbc music magazine

classic fm

radio xl

hyatt regency birmingham

individuals:Our supporters and volunteers, including friends of town hall and symphony hall

suppOrt: if you are interested in supporting town hall and symphony hall and would like further information please take a look at our website www.thsh.co.uk/page/support-us/ or contact our development team.

you can also make a donation on-line or organise your own fund raising event for town hall and symphony hall through Just giving http://justgiving.com/performbirmingham

sponsorship: helen boyle 0121 644 5010

legacies, trusts and donations: Karen daw 0121 644 5075

friends: sara moore 0121 644 5072

volunteering: email [email protected]

thanK yOu tO Our suppOrtersperformances birmingham is one of the largest regional arts charities in the country. We invite people to discover great performances at the heart of birmingham and participate in community arts projects at our two world famous venues.

ticket sales alone cannot sustain our programme; we rely on voluntary contributions to enable us to continue and expand our work. We aim to reach even more people within our communities and further develop our wide-ranging programme.

We would like to thank all our supporters for their generous contributions to our charitable work over the last year.

trusts and fOundatiOns:

the chatwin trust

the George cadbury trust

the Owen family trust

the patrick trust

peter & Jane how trust

page 41

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HOW TO REACH USSymphony Hall is part of the international Convention Centre on broad Street. On entering the Convention Centre through the main entrance on Centenary Square, Symphony Hall foyers are on the left. Town Hall is located in Victoria Square.

BY CARCar parking for Symphony Hall is available at brindleyplace, beneath the National indoor Arena (NiA), brindley Drive and Cambridge Street car parks. Car parking for Town Hall is available at brindley Drive, Holliday Street and brunel Street car parks. it is advisable to check the road works and traffic situation before travelling. For more information contact The Highways Agency on 08457 50430 or visit their website www.highways.gov.uk/roads, or visit Midlands Traffic information’s website www.help2travel.co.uk.

BY RAILFor rail information contact National Rail Enquiries on 08457 484950 or visit their website www.nationalrail.co.uk. There are fast and frequent rail services with free parking at many Centro stations. The Centro Hotline 0121 200 2700 (open 7.30am – 10.30pm every day) can help you plan your journey.

free mailinG service To receive this guide free of charge, or to notify us of a change to your personal details, please write to the Mailing List Department, Town Hall and Symphony Hall c/o Symphony Hall, Broad Street, Birmingham, B1 2EA or email [email protected] with details of your name, address, telephone number(s) and email address.

To join the CBSO’s free mailing list please contact the CBSO on 0121 616 6500.

P

P

P

P

P

P

P

P

P

P

Broad Street

Paradise Circus

Paradise Circus

Cambridge Street

Navigation Street

Edwards Road

Edward Stre

et

Clement S

treet

Nelso

n Stre

et

Holiday Stre

et

Bridge Street

Newhall StreetTo Snow Hill

Station

To Jewellery Q

uarter

To F

ive W

ays

Stat

ion

Newhall Street

Gas Street

Summer Row

A457

A38

QUEENSWAY

A38

QUEENSWAY

To Moor Street Station

Walkway

Walkway

St Vin

cent S

treet

Camden Street

Sheepcote Street

Berkley StreetGranville Street

The ICC

New Street Station

Town Hall

Symphony Hall

Centenary Square

Victoria Square

NIA

Brindl

ey P

lace

bOx Office 0121 780 3333www.thsh.co.uk

thsh what's on guide feb & march 09

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