The City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra
The City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra is one of the world’s leading symphonic ensembles. The award-winning CBSO is the resident orchestra of Symphony Hall, Birmingham - a stunning contemporary music venue that’s acclaimed for its perfect acoustics.Together, they bring truly world class music to the city.
Andris Nelsons
The CBSO plays to over 300,000 people each year - in Birmingham as well as throughout the UK and overseas. It also reaches many millions more through its regular radio and TV appearances, and its large discography. Since Sir Edward Elgar conducted the inaugural concert in November 1920, the City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra has gained a worldwide reputation and is continuing to receive international acclaim under the leadership of Andris Nelsons who became Music Director in 2008. The Orchestra is in demand globally, acting as an ambassador for Birmingham in venues across the UK, Europe, Asia and America.
Concerts & Awards
The CBSO performs over 80 concerts each year, from symphonic and contemporary repertoire, to lighter music in Friday Night, Schools and Family concerts, ensuring that there is music for everyone. The Orchestra has a sizable discography, with many recordings having won international prizes. Under Andris Nelsons the CBSO has released critically acclaimed discs with Orfeo featuring music by Tchaikovsky, Richard Strauss and Stravinsky.
Through its family of instrumental and choral ensembles and world-class symphony orchestra, the CBSO aims to offer the very best in musical performance and education, flying the flag for the people of Birmingham and the UK, and performing to the widest possible audience.