City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra
About this Artist
The City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra (CBSO) is the flagship of musical life in Birmingham and the West Midlands, and one of the world’s great orchestras.
Based in Symphony Hall in Birmingham, the CBSO typically presents over 150 concerts each year in Birmingham, in the U.K., and around the world, playing music that ranges from classics to contemporary, to film scores and even symphonic disco. With a far-reaching community program and a family of choruses and ensembles, it is involved in every aspect of music-making in the Midlands. But at its center is a team of 90 superb professional musicians, and a more than 100-year tradition of making the world’s greatest music in the heart of Birmingham.
That local tradition started with the orchestra’s very first symphonic concert in 1920—conducted by Sir Edward Elgar. Ever since then, through war, recessions, social change, and civic renewal, the CBSO has been proud to be Birmingham’s orchestra. Under principal conductors including Adrian Boult, George Weldon, Andrzej Panufnik, and Louis Frémaux, the CBSO won an artistic reputation that spread far beyond the Midlands. But it was when it discovered the young British conductor Simon Rattle in 1980 that the CBSO became internationally famous—and showed how the arts can help give a new sense of direction to a whole city.
Rattle’s successors Sakari Oramo and Andris Nelsons helped cement that global reputation and continued to build on the CBSO’s tradition of flying the flag for Birmingham. And under the dynamic leadership of Mirga Gražinytė-Tyla, the CBSO continued to do what it does best—playing great music for the people of Birmingham, the Midlands, and beyond. In September of last year, the Orchestra announced that Japanese conductor Kazuki Yamada had been appointed as its Chief Conductor and Artistic Advisor with effect from April 1, 2023—having been the Orchestra’s Principal Guest Conductor since October 2018.
The CBSO is grateful to Mr. John Osborn, CBE, a former member of the CBSO Board, for his exceptional generosity in making the tour possible.
Additional support has been provided by the Dunard Fund.
The CBSO is extremely grateful to all its supporters, both individuals and trusts and foundations who contribute to its Sound of the Future Campaign. Their support enables it to offer world-class, life-enhancing artistic experiences, enriches more lives in schools and communities, nurtures young talent, and welcomes the next generation of concertgoers.
The City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra’s 2022 U.S. tour has been made possible in collaboration with Arabella Arts.
CBSO Education Partners: Royal Birmingham Conservatoire, Services for Education, Creative Future, Arts Award Supporter.
Principal Funders: Arts Council England, Birmingham City Council
Corporate Partners: Evelyn Partners, Charles Stanley, Deloitte, Hyatt Regency, Marsh, Savills, Berwick Partners, William King Ltd, Nicholls Brimble Bhol Solicitors.