Birmingham to stage Environment Prom
An environmental prom is set to raise thousands of pounds for charity next month when Birmingham’s Symphony Hall becomes centre stage for a world premiere of the celebrated Ballads for a Living Planet.
The musical extravaganza will be performed by the Birmingham Philharmonic Orchestra (BPO) on Sunday, April 26, and features the City of Birmingham Choir. All funds raised will be shared between the Birmingham Community Foundation and the Chartered Institute of Water and Environmental Management (CIWEM)
The prom is the brainchild of BPO’s chief clarinettist and president of CIWEM, Alastair Moseley, who said: “This will be a fantastic event for hundreds to enjoy. As well as the world premiere, flags should be at the ready for favourites such as Jerusalem and Pomp and Circumstance.
“In my year as president of what is the only chartered institution to represent all aspects of the management and protection of the environment, I wanted to do something arresting and I believe combining the skills of the wonderful BPO and CIWEM to stage this prom in one of the world’s greatest concert halls is the perfect way to do it!”
Ballads for a Living Planet was originally commissioned by Chris Shirley-Smith, director of Water Works UK, and funded by a grant from Thames Water Utilities Ltd. Conceived as a self-contained song cycle, it has been performed in London, but never in this complete, orchestrated and extended form.
Chris Shirley-Smith said: “I am delighted that CIWEM has adopted Ballads for a Living Planet as part of its rallying call for greater environmental awareness, and is a call to action for individuals and businesses alike.”
Birmingham Community Foundation’s CEO, Derek Inman, said: “The Foundation is known for putting on a good show, and this time we’re calling on all of nature’s elements to celebrate our ‘green and pleasant land’. It’s an inspiring way to highlight issues around the environment, enjoy a good evening’s entertainment and to raise money for some very good local causes.”
The concert will see more than 250 orchestra and choir members on stage. Andrew Glen, who will be narrating, and Ivor McGregor, who masterminded the orchestration, are both local musicians.
Under the baton of Michael Lloyd, the concert will feature other environment-inspired music such as Mussorgsky’s Night on a Bare Mountain, extracts from Grofe’s Grand Canyon Suite, Respighi’s Pines of Rome, and Vaughan Williams’ Lark Ascending with violin soloist Anna Ovsyanikova. There will also be the usual prom favourites, including Elgar’s Land of Hope and Glory, and Parry’s Jerusalem. The evening will be rounded off with Strauss’s Thunder and Lightning Polka. Tickets cost from £8.50 and are available online at www.thsh.co.uk/view/the-birmingham-philharmonic-environment-prom
