Centre Stage: Serenades with François Leleux

This performance highlights the versatility of the woodwind family through three distinct European masterworks. You will hear Gounod’s Petite Symphonie, a piece that treats the winds with the clarity and structure of a traditional symphony but on a smaller, more transparent scale. It provides a contrast to the Serenade in E-flat by Strauss, written when he was only a teenager; look out for how the instruments blend in lush, Romantic harmonies that hint at his later orchestral style. The programme concludes with Dvořák’s Serenade in D minor. In this work, the composer incorporates the rhythmic drive and folk-like inflections of his Czech heritage, creating a soundscape that is both energetic and melancholy. We suggest listening for the interplay between the higher woodwinds and the lower textures, as the music shifts from courtly elegance to vibrant rustic dances. The absence of a full string section allows the individual tonal colours of the oboes, clarinets, and horns to remain at the forefront throughout.

François Leleux joins the City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra’s woodwind section for this intimate chamber showcase. Leleux is globally recognised as a leading oboist, celebrated for his technical precision and expressive phrasing. The CBSO is Birmingham’s flagship orchestra, based at Symphony Hall but frequently performing smaller-scale works in their dedicated rehearsal and performance space. This ensemble is known for its wide-ranging repertoire and a strong tradition of woodwind excellence, often stepping away from the full symphonic format to explore the nuanced communication required in wind serenades and chamber music.

The concert takes place at the CBSO Centre in Birmingham, a venue designed to provide an up-close experience between the audience and the musicians. With a duration of approximately 60 minutes and no interval, this shorter format is well-suited if you are new to classical music or prefer a concentrated midday performance. There is no specific dress code required for this event. As this is a pure instrumental programme, there are no languages or surtitles to consider. You should find the atmosphere informal and focused, reflecting the collaborative nature of woodwind chamber music.