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. The CBSO established itself as a major force in world classical music during its 18-year association with Sir Simon Rattle. Fortunes continue to look bright under, the guidance of the CBSO's current Music Director 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. Under Oramo, the Orchestra has made a number of award-winning recordings, including the 2002 Gramophone Record of the Year disc of Saint-Saens Piano Concertos with soloist Stephen Hough.
Recent programming initiatives – including rush hour, matinee and family concerts – ensure that the broadest range of people can experience the CBSO’s performances of music, from Beethoven to Bollywood and Bach to Bond themes.
In addition to its regular season of concerts at Symphony Hall, the CBSO runs a chamber music series at CBSO Centre - a medium-scale performance venue in the centre of Birmingham. Centre Stage lunchtime concerts are devised and performed by the musicians, and are designed to provide intimate chamber concerts to complement the music being performed at Symphony Hall.
A proud ambassador for the City of Birmingham, the CBSO recently won a special award from the Regional Development Agency for raising the profile of the region internationally.