Venue: Royal Concert Hall
Running time: Doors 6pm. 1st Half: 7.30pm - 8.25pm, 20 minute interval, 2nd Half: 8.45pm - 9.25pm (Subject to change)
Important Information
Age Guidance: 7+
Under 14s must be accompanied by an adult aged 18+
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City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra
Michael Seal conductor
Marie-Christine Zupancic flute
Katherine Thomas harp
Britten The Young Person’s Guide to the Orchestra
Mozart Flute and Harp Concerto
Mussorgsky (orch. Ravel) Pictures at an Exhibition
For a showcase of all the colours in an orchestra’s palette, this CBSO concert is a great place to start. Benjamin Britten’s famous orchestral guide began life in 1945 as the soundtrack to an instructional film, but its pitch perfect spotlighting of each instrument, all based around Henry Purcell’s Rondeau from the play Abdelazar, has never dated. On a more intimate scale, Mozart’s much-loved Flute and Harp Concerto gives two CBSO Principal players a chance to shine. Composed in 1778 for the flute-playing Duke of Guines and his harpist daughter, it wasn’t exactly Mozart’s most cherished commission, as he admitted to disliking both solo instruments. Nonetheless he delivered it in style, its graceful interplay showing Mozart at his most charming and lyrical.
Mussorgky’s Pictures at an Exhibition began life as a finger-crunching solo piano piece, written in tribute to his artist friend Viktor Hartmann, whose memorial exhibition the composer had viewed in 1874. It became a concert hall classic in Maurice Ravel’s peerless 1922 orchestration, which added lustre to Mussorgsky’s gallery of vivid portraits and scenes, from a grotesque gnome and squabbling children to a lumbering ox cart and the legendary Russian witch, Baba Yaga. Finally, peeling bells and blazing brass summon a spectacular procession through the Great Gate of Kiev.
Free pre-concert talk, 6.20pm in the auditorium: Michael Seal in conversation.
Season Ticket and Multibuy Package Discounts
12 concerts – Save 30%
10 -11 concerts – Save 25%
7 – 9 concerts – Save 20%
5 – 6 concerts – Save 15%
3 – 4 concerts – Save 10%
Spectacular Six offers an easy way to book the six biggest and loudest concerts, saving 25% on all tickets. You must book all six concerts to claim the discount, which applies to all seats apart from those in Band F and Bargain seats. Click here for the complete list of Spectacular Six concerts.
Book as a group
Make it a big night out and get bigger discounts by booking as a group. Save 20% for parties of 10 – 19 and 30% for parties of 20 or more, with a wide choice of seats for each member of your party. Please contact our Group Sales team on 0115 989 5555 to book.
Concert Coaches
We run seven Concert Coaches, from Loughborough, Sleaford/Grantham, Southwell, Worksop/Retford, Ashbourne/Derby, Bakewell/Matlock and Lincoln/Newark. These offer affordable, stress-free return coach travel, picking up at convenient stops on the way and dropping off/picking up at the Royal Concert Hall doors. Please contact our Group Sales team on 0115 989 5555 to book.
Under 26s and full-time students
Under 26s and students in full time education can book seats in any area of the hall for £5 each. Just select the Under 26 price from the drop-down list when selecting a seat. Please note: you may be asked to show proof of age or student status when you enter the auditorium.
Bargain Seats
These are available in the choir stalls at £9.50 for orchestral series concerts only and can be purchased from 12pm on the day of the concert online, by phone, or at the box office counter. Please note that these seats are subject to availability.
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