The City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra (CBSO) is one of the United Kingdom’s leading orchestras, with an impressive history that dates back over a century. Founded in 1920, the CBSO quickly established itself as a cornerstone of Birmingham's cultural life, and it has since gained an international reputation for its performances, recordings, and its association with some of the finest musicians in the world. Throughout its history, the orchestra has been guided by notable music directors, including Sir Simon Rattle, who served as principal conductor from 1980 to 1998 and helped catapult the orchestra to global acclaim.

Today, the CBSO continues to thrive, offering a diverse range of programmes that showcase both the canonical works of the classical repertoire and contemporary pieces, as evidenced by recent releases such as "CBSO Sounds New" and "Jonathan Dove: In Exile." The orchestra remains committed to live performance excellence, as seen in its live recorded albums "Signature (Live In Concert)" and "Maw: Odyssey (Live)." Their recordings cover an extensive gambit of classical music, from the revitalizing interpretations of Schubert’s symphonies and Grieg's "Peer Gynt" to their forays into the works of less frequently performed composers like Weinberg. The CBSO is also known for its distinguished recordings of Rachmaninov and has delved into the rich landscape of British composers with a dedicated album that celebrates the works of Britten, Vaughan Williams, Elgar, and Walton, among others. As a cultural ambassador of Birmingham and an emblem of the city’s artistic spirit, the CBSO continues to enchant audiences worldwide with its dynamic performances and superb artistry.

Genres

British Orchestra

Orchestra

Related Artists

London Symphony Orchestra

BBC Symphony Orchestra

Royal Philharmonic Orchestra

Philharmonia Orchestra

Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra

Royal Scottish National Orchestra

BBC Philharmonic

John Williams

London Philharmonic Orchestra

Sir Simon Rattle

Los Angeles Philharmonic

Royal Concertgebouw Orchestra

Latest Release

Orchestral Qawwali - Live at Birmingham Symphony Hall

City Of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra•

Ben Palmer

Album - 7 Tracks - Released August 28, 2024