The CBSO Podcast

Join long time CBSO violinist (who retired after 42 years of service) David Gregory in conversation with new CBSO Leader Eugene Tzikindelean and CBSO Osborn Music Director Mirga Gražinytė-Tyla.

City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra: cbso.co.uk

Benjamin Grosvenor’s playing has been called “a kind of miracle”, and last time he performed with the CBSO, this 27-year old British pianist held Symphony Hall spellbound. Together with an old friend of the CBSO, Jonathan Bloxham, they were due to perform with the CBSO in May 2020. Instead, here they meet for the first time, on Zoom.

The concert programme would have begun with Dvořák’s exuberant Carnival overture and ended with Beethoven at his maddest, his boldest and his most gloriously untamed – in other words, at his very best.

Dvořák  Carnival Overture

This episode was recorded early in June 2020.

CBSO Chorus Director Simon Halsey CBE gives us a personal account of his relationship with Britten's masterpiece. 

“My subject is War, and the pity of War.” In May 1962, the CBSO gave the world premiere of Britten’s War Requiem: a passionate and profoundly moving exploration of conflict and remembrance, written for the consecration of the new Coventry Cathedral. In our Centenary year, Mirga Gražinytė-Tyla and an international team of soloists were set to recreate that historic night.

https://cbso.co.uk/

CBSO Associate Conductor Michael Seal and presenter Tom Redmond talk about the art of programming and performing family concerts.

Michael Seal is the Associate Conductor of the City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra, a unique appointment which recognises his work as Assistant Conductor, and the special relationship he has built with the orchestra.

Tom Redmond is a presenter, horn player and animateur specialising in music education. He was a member of the Hallé Orchestra for 13 years before relinquishing his position in 2016 to allow him more time to work in music education and broadcasting.

Tom devises and presents interactive concerts for schools and families for orchestras and festivals including Hallé, CBSO, RSNO, WNO, RTÉ NSO (Dublin), Ulster Orchestra, Edinburgh International and Hong Kong Arts Festivals. 

cbso.co.uk

For the first time ever, we gave 13 Youth Ambassadors full rein of our symphony orchestra, with the opportunity to curate, programme and promote the first evening concert of the orchestra’s 2020 centenary year. But how times have changed. CBSO Youth Ambassadors Caitlin, Chloe, Ed, Ellen and Maisy discuss life in lockdown as young musicians and share their own thoughts on what the future of live music may be.

Caitlin, Chloe, Ed, Ellen and Maisy also share their recommended lockdown listening. Listen to their playlist here: https://cbso.co.uk/topnotes

Edited by CBSO Youth Ambassador Noa

Listen to conductor Edward Gardner and CBSO Chief Executive Stephen Maddock in conversation about Elgar’s The Dream of Gerontius.

“This is the best of me,” wrote Edward Elgar on the score of The Dream of Gerontius, and this story of a lonely soul’s journey towards eternity is told in music of startling passion and heartbreaking beauty. It’s one of the supreme masterpieces of British music – and it was created here in Birmingham. 

Edward Gardner was due to return to conduct this CBSO Centenary performance on 16 & 18 April 2020. Instead, Edward and Stephen join each other remotely to catch up and talk about this wonderful work. 

Stephen Maddock gives highlights from his 20 years as Chief Executive of the City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra and recommends his ‘Top Notes’ playlist. Listen to the playlist here: https://open.spotify.com/playlist/4Yv8I6VVbkrUOpeVZE9g0i?si=wyWNHEshQV-U_BS8KmbfAw