CBSO Centre

overview

Based in Symphony Hall, it gives over 130 concerts each year in Birmingham, the UK and around the world, playing music that ranges from classics to contemporary, film music and even symphonic disco. With a far-reaching community programme and a family of world-class choruses and youth ensembles, it’s involved in every aspect of music-making in the region.

Elgar conducted the orchestra’s very first symphonic concert in 1920. But it was when it discovered the young British conductor Simon Rattle in 1980 that the CBSO became internationally famous. Rattle’s successors Sakari Oramo and Andris Nelsons helped cement that global reputation. Now, under the artistic leadership of principal guest conductor Edward Gardner, associate conductor Michael Seal, assistant conductor Alpesh Chauhan and chorus director Simon Halsey CBE the CBSO approaches its 100th anniversary doing what it does best – flying the flag at home and away, and making the world’s greatest music right here.