As war ravaged Europe, Carl Nielsen responded with a Fourth Symphony whose thundering drums represent a struggle for the future of life itself.

“Gloriously entertaining” is how one critic described the playing of the young American violinist Benjamin Beilman – and he went down a storm with CBSO …

There’s only one John Wilson – and CBSO regulars don’t need telling that there isn’t a conductor alive who can handle British light music with more elegance, …

Alpesh Chauhan needs no introduction to audiences in Birmingham – and nor does Felix Mendelssohn.

Some music was just born to be played in Symphony Hall – and however well you know (and love) Tchaikovsky’s great ballets Swan Lake and The Sleeping Beauty, …

They called him “the Russian Mendelssohn” – but if you don’t know the music of Alexander Glazunov, try and imagine Rachmaninov, but with a smile on his face! …

On 5 September 1920, the City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra gave its very first concert. It was a gamble: in unprecedented times, a city recovering from war …

On 10 November 1920 Sir Edward Elgar conducted the City of Birmingham Orchestra in its first symphonic concert – and the future CBSO took its first steps on the …

Pathétique” means “full of emotion” – and make no mistake, Tchaikovsky’s Symphony No.6 is overflowing with melody, colour, and raw passion.

Discover a hidden love note amongst the many contrasts and innovative chord sequences of Brahms' String Sextet No. 2.

Rachmaninoff’s Third Piano Concerto has been called the “Everest of piano concertos”, but if anyone can scale its peaks, it’s Birmingham favourite Steven …

A programme full of music by child prodigies, this concert celebrates the work of Britten, whilst highlighting the lesser-known Crusell and Gipps.

Finnegan Downie Dear conducts Beethoven's "Pastoral" symphony, alongside Mozart, Britten and a UK premiere by Cassandra Miller.

Guest conductor François Leleux conducts a programme of Prokofiev, Berlioz, Mozart and Rossini that positively buzzes with energy and emotion.

Jess Gillam and Jaume Santonja Espinós take us from the dance halls of Cuba to Copland’s leafy Appalachian mountains, on a pan-American road-trip.