New World Symphony
City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra
- Great for groups
- First-timer friendly
- Early finish
- Date
- Wed, 10 Mar 2027
- Time
- 14:15 · 2h 0m
- Venue
- Symphony Hall, Birmingham
- City
- Birmingham
- Conductor
- Mirga Gražinytė-Tyla
- Tickets
- from £27.5
You'll be taken to the ensemble's official site.
Summary
Mirga Gražinytė-Tyla conducts the City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra in Dvořák’s Ninth Symphony at Symphony Hall, featuring cellist Maximilian Hornung in Shostakovich’s Second Concerto and music by Šerkšnytė.
Why it's fantastic
Hear the nostalgic solo that famously soundtracked the Hovis bread advert in Dvořák’s symphony, a piece brimming with wide-eyed melodies and American spirit. Before that, cellist Maximilian Hornung tackles Shostakovich’s brooding concerto, offering a darker, more rhythmic contrast that tests the very limits of what four strings can do.
Our guide to this performance
What you'll hear
The evening begins with Šerkšnytė’s Midsummer Song, a work that creates a distinct atmospheric opening before we move into the darker intensity of Shostakovich’s Cello Concerto No.2. In this concerto, you will hear the soloist navigate a landscape of rhythmic complexity and shifting moods, quite different from the composer's more heroic first concerto. The second half of the performance is dedicated to Dvořák’s Symphony No.9, often referred to as the New World Symphony. This piece was composed during the Czech composer’s time in America and is famous for its soaring melodies and nostalgic character. We suggest listening for the English horn solo in the slow movement, which remains one of the most recognisable melodies in the orchestral repertoire. The work builds to a powerful and brass-heavy conclusion, providing a grand contrast to the more introspective and experimental pieces heard in the first half of the concert.
Who's performing
Mirga Gražinytė-Tyla returns to lead the City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra, an ensemble rooted in the Midlands with an international reputation for high-quality music-making. The orchestra is known for its wide-ranging repertoire, spanning from large-scale Romantic works to contemporary commissions. Joining them is soloist Maximillian Hornung, a cellist recognised for his technical precision and expressive depth. Together, they bring a programme that balances modern Baltic composition with established 20th-century Russian and 19th-century Czech masterpieces, showcasing the ensemble’s versatility and the conductor’s specific interest in diverse musical voices.
Planning your evening
This performance takes place at Symphony Hall in Birmingham, a venue celebrated for its clear acoustics. The total running time is approximately 120 minutes, including an interval, which makes for a substantial evening of music. Because the programme features Dvořák’s popular symphony alongside a more challenging concerto, it is well-suited to regular concertgoers and newcomers alike. There is no specific dress code for this event; standard smart-casual attire is typical for orchestral concerts at this venue. Tickets are available from a starting price of £27.50.
Written by the Bravura editorial team from the ensemble's published programme and venue information. We don't reproduce copy from box-office sites. Spotted something wrong? Tell us.
Programme
- 01Šerkšnytė: Midsummer Song
- 02Shostakovich: Cello Concerto No.2
- 03Dvořák: Symphony No.9
Soloists
- Maximillian Hornung cello
