News Story
Today we announce our 2024-25 Season, continuing our commitment to presenting exceptional musical experiences in a way that brings connection, inspiration and joy to the people of Birmingham, the West Midlands and beyond.
Across more than 100 performances, join us as we journey from the greatest orchestral masterpieces at Symphony Hall to fun-filled interactive concerts for all the family, and from new music by today’s most important composers to free performances at Birmingham’s Bullring and New Street Station! Every performance showcases the incredible range and talent of the orchestra through diversity of programming, in a Season that places CBSO musicians in the spotlight as well as welcoming a host of world-renowned guest artists and conductors.
"I’m so proud of this season. It speaks to the future of this remarkable orchestra, puts the brilliant Kazuki Yamada at the heart of our music making, and solidifies our commitment to being an ensemble that truly explores both the creative potential of our glorious city, and the opportunity of creating work in new ways, that will speak to more people. There are an abundance of classical masterpieces and brilliant creative collaborations, alongside moments when the orchestra will try something genuinely new, for those who would like to adventure with us. At the core of it all, is a sense of joy and welcome, and a promise that wonderful music is for everyone. We can’t wait to share it all with you."
Emma Stenning, Chief Executive
Today, Kazuki Yamada takes up the new title of Music Director, reflecting his ever-deepening relationship with the orchestra and increasing involvement in programming and creative decision-making.
Kazuki leads 22 concerts in Birmingham across the 2024-25 season, from performances of landmark classical works (including his thread of 'Great 9th Symphonies') to appearances with the CBSO Youth Orchestra, at the CBSO’s annual Schools’ Concerts, and at Hockley Social Club, as well as taking the orchestra on tours to Europe and Japan in 2025.
“I am very excited to announce the contents of our new season, which will be very fulfilling. As Music Director, I have renewed my determination to participate more actively in the CBSO's various activities than ever before."
Kazuki Yamada, Music Director
Our 2024-25 Season sees a host of close musical friends and collaborators take to the Symphony Hall stage, including two of the orchestra’s celebrated former named conductors - Sir Mark Elder and Mirga Gražinytė-Tyla.
The star-studded line-up also includes return visits from Sir Stephen Hough, Soweto Kinch, Miloš Karadaglić, Isabelle Faust, Thomas Søndergård, Alpesh Chauhan, Steven Osborne, Sheku Kanneh-Mason, Karen Cargill, Benjamin Grosvenor, Alisa Weilerstein, Ilan Volkov, and Alina Ibragimova. They sit alongside exciting debuts from Jamie Barton, Kian Soltani, Kirill Karabits, Jonathon Heyward, Kerem Hasan, Anna Rakitina, Sofi Jeannin, Sekou Keita, Robert Ames, Xhosa Cole, and Dinis Sousa.
We are proud to be Birmingham's Orchestra and over the next year we continue our work to develop deeper and more meaningful connections with the city we call home.
For a week in August 2024, the CBSO and Kazuki Yamada will be out and about in Birmingham, filling the city with music. CBSO in the City (26 – 31 August) will see the orchestra present free performances in unexpected locations including the Bullring, Grand Central, The Hawthorns (home of West Bromwich Albion FC) and New Street Station, as well as a host of libraries, community centres, museums, parks, pubs and more.
As you explore the season, you’ll also notice moments when we’re trying something different. Our ‘CBSO Explores’ series invites audiences to come with us as we discover new ways of presenting orchestral performance, ranging from our first partnership with the brilliant Ikon Gallery, to a deeper dive into the inspiration for Dvořák’s Symphony No.9, to an exciting weekend where we will be pushing the immersive possibilities of performing at the CBSO Centre.