CBSO kick off Birmingham Weekender

London Midland brings classics to commuters.

Passengers at New Street Station will be treated to free concerts by the City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra today.

Through its partnership with train operator, London Midland, the CBSO will be staging two free performances in the iconic station marking the start of the Birmingham Weekender.

Birmingham Weekender is a three-day festival that sees the city centre filled with free performances from world-class musicians, dancers and artists.

Osborn music director, Mirga Gražinytė-Tyla will be conducting the CBSO’s two performances at New Street station including music by Copeland, Beethoven and Haydn. The concerts will start at 1pm and 3pm.

Patrick Verwer, London Midland managing director said: “We are delighted be able to bring the CBSO to our passengers at the heart of the rail network and be associated with the opening of the Birmingham Weekender. The CSBO is a central part of Birmingham’s cultural assets and a great ambassador for the city and the region as a whole.”

Stephen Maddock OBE, CBSO chief executive said “We are very excited to be involved in Birmingham Weekender and are very grateful to London Midland’s on-going support of cultural life in the region – which is increasingly important. This is an opportunity to get the orchestra out of the concert hall to meet our public in our city and showcase how big music is in Birmingham.”