City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra, orchestra

Official Website

www.cbso.co.uk/

Recordings

LAN288
Veronika Ilinskaya, Piano
UK release date: 10/2009

The City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra (CBSO) is based in Birmingham in England. The orchestra was founded as the City of Birmingham Orchestra in 1920, with Edward Elgar conducting its first concert. Adrian Boult was its chief conductor from 1924 to 1930. It became a full time organisation in 1944, changing its name to the City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra in 1948. The composer Andrzej Panufnik was chief conductor from 1957 to 1960.

The orchestra made recordings and gave regular concerts, but did not gain any international renown until Simon Rattle became its chief conductor in 1980. Under him, the orchestra became one of the leading ensembles in Britain, and gained a name for its interpretations of late romantic and 20th century works. In 1990, the post of Radcliffe Composer in Association was created, with Mark-Anthony Turnage filling the role. In 1995 Judith Weir became Fairbairn Composer in Association.

The Finn Sakari Oramo took over from Simon Rattle in 1998, upon the latter securing a post at the Berlin Philharmonic Orchestra. In summer 2005, a new post of Assistant Conductor was created for Michael Seal, who combines this with a performing career in the CBSO's violin section. Keeping with its recent tradition of appointing outstanding young conductors, the 30-year old Latvian Andris Nelsons took up the position of Music Director in September 2008.


Other Artists

cello
James Barralet

chamber ensemble
Chamber Domaine

conductor
Michael Seal

countertenor
Lawrence Zazzo

guitar duo
Arada Guitar Duo

orchestra
Sinfonia Classica

piano
Michael Dussek
Veronika Ilinskaya
Simon Lepper
Libor Novacek
Evelina Puzaite
Ilona Timchenko

saxophone quartet
Paragon Saxophone Quartet

string quartet
Pavão Quartet

tenor
Andrew Kennedy