This orchestra was founded as the City of Birmingham Orchestra in 1920 and in 1944 became the City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra.
Their first concert included their supporter, Granville Bantock’s, Overture: Saul and was conducted by Edward Elgar. Adrian Boult was their chief conductor from 1924 to 1930 and the composer Andrzek Panifnik conducted from 1957 to 1959.
They did not gain international recognition as an orchestra until Sir Simon Rattle became their chief conductor and under him they became one of the leading ensembles in Europe, being recognized for their performances of Mahler and Sibelius. In 1998 the Finnish conductor Sakari Oramo took over from Sir Simon Rattle when he moved on to become Music Director of the Berlin Philharmonic Orchestra. In 2008 Andris Nelsons took over the position and he was succeeded in 2016 by their first female conductor Mirga Grazinyte-Tyla.
The orchestra moved from the Town Hall to Symphony Hall, which is their main venue, and the CBSO Centre, a converted factory that also provides for their smaller more intimate performances.
John Coolidge Adams recordings
Harmonielehre
EMI 55051 (CD: John Adams: Harmonielehre)
Conductor – Simon Rattle
Short Ride in a Fast Machine
EMI CDC 5 55051 2 (CD: John Adams: Harmonielehre)
Conductor – Simon Rattle
https://youtu.be/w4Y9k4kgBBI
Sources:
- http://www.cbso.co.uk/
- http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/City_of_Birmingham_Symphony_Orchestra
- https://www.discogs.com/artist/490279-City-Of-Birmingham-Symphony-Orchestra
- http://www.allmusic.com/artist/city-of-birmingham-symphony-orchestra-mn0000247077/biography
- https://www.thsh.co.uk/whats-on/org/cbso