Richard Bratby

Refined and dreamy: CBSO centenary concerts reviewed

The Covid-era format is starting to feel routine, even – god help us – reassuring

Mirga Grazinyte-Tyla conducting Sheku Kanneh-Mason and the City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra 
issue 12 December 2020

For an orchestra to lose one anniversary concert may be regarded as unfortunate. To lose two? Welcome to 2020. The City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra gave its first ever concert on 5 September 1920. But that was only a warm-up, a sort of soft opening if you like. The big public fanfare came two months later, on 10 November 1920, when the all new ensemble descended on Birmingham Town Hall for an inaugural gala conducted by Sir Edward Elgar.

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