City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra

Some 10 years ago, the City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra regularly formed the backbone of our annual orchestral series, so it's a real pleasure to welcome them back to the Corn Exchange after several years' absence. They are conducted by their new Principal Conductor, Andris Nelsons, renowned for his dynamic conducting style and his fresh approach to a broad range of repertoire.

The programme contains just two works, but two mighty ones! The first half is given over to Beethoven’s noble 'Emperor' piano concerto, written between 1809 and 1811 in Vienna and dedicated to Archduke Rudolf, Beethoven's patron and pupil. The nickname 'Emperor', used in English-speaking countries, was not Beethoven's
own, but was coined by the English publisher of the concerto.

We couldn't ask for a more thrilling soloist than Canadian virtuoso, Louis Lortie; renowned as an interpreter of Beethoven, he is possessed of a 'combination of total spontaneity and meditated ripeness that only great pianists have.' (The Times). Rachmaninov's Second Symphony caused the composer a great deal of anguish in its writing, his confidence having been severely dented by the terrible reception given to his First Symphony ten years earlier.

However, its unequivocal success restored the composer's confidence as a symphonist. With its rich orchestration and stream of melodic invention, it is quite simply a pleasure to listen to.