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CBSO/Elts at Symphony Hall

Olari Elts sometimes conducted as if, like members of this matinee concert audience, he had an eye on the clock and feared missing a coach or train. Read

Cliff Richard at the NIA, Birmingham - Review

IF there really is an elixir of youth then Cliff Richard seems to have cornered the market has he sang and danced his way through 42 numbers in a three hour and ten minute show at the NIA. Read

Review - Elton John at the NIA, Birmingham

After more than 200 shows and four years in Las Vegas, Elton John is taking his Red Piano on the road – and first stop was Birmingham. Read

Ashley Wass at The Artrix, Bromsgrove

Though he has rapidly established a reputation as one of the great interpreters of British piano music of the last century, it was good to hear Ashley Wass in wider-ranging repertoire for this Bromsgrove Concert in memory of committee member Tom French. Read

Brodsky Quartet at Birmingham Town Hall

Possible over-resonances in this lovely hall were tamed by a large audience, absorbing physically and mentally the offerings from this well-loved quartet. Read

Munich Klangverwaltung Orchestra at Symphony Hall

I approached this concert with caution. The best my German dictionary could offer for the compound word “Klangverwaltung” was the forbiddingly Teutonic “sound administrators” which didn’t hold out the promise of much enjoyment. Read

Chandos Symphony Orchestra at Forum Theatre, Malvern

The chemistry between the Chandos Symphony Orchestra and its conductor Michael Lloyd is something unique, as was confirmed by Sunday’s concert celebrating 30 years of the orchestra’s existence and Lloyd’s 20 years at its helm. Read

CBSO/City of Birmingham Choir at Symphony Hall

Shakespeare was the context for Thursday’s CBSO concert, even, tenuously, connected with Samuel Barber, who composed the less than totally successful opera Antony and Cleopatra Barber’s Violin Concerto, earlier by 26 years, is an established favourite in the 20th-century repertoire, moving from rapturous pastoral dreaminess to busy, big-city perpetual motion, and the soloist here, Anne Akiko Meyers, brought singing, shapely phrases and sweet persuasive tone to all its ruminations. Read

Orchestra Of The Swan at Stratford-upon-Avon Civic Hall

On a day when thousands marked two minutes silence at 11am, I was reminded at this concert on the theme of Remembrance of John Cage’s statement that “The material of music is sound and silence. Integrating these is composing”. Read

New biography reveals Led Zeppelin's heaven and hell

A new biography of Led Zeppelin is crammed with filth and a whole lotta love, says Richard McComb. Read

Guillemots provide value for month at Gigbeth festival

Missed opportunities Read

Black Sabbath's Tony Iommi next for a Birmingham Star

Birmingham rock legend Tony Iommi has been named as the next celebrity to be immortalised on the city’s Walk of Stars. Read

Orchestra of The Swan unveils new piece at Armistice concert

One of the highlights of the Orchestra of the Swan’s Armistice Day concert in Stratford-upon-Avon on Tuesday will be the world premiere of A Dream of “Peace for our Time” by the Leicester-based composer Philip Herbert. Read

CBSO/Martyn Brabbins at Symphony Hall

Dedicated to the memory of Vernon Handley, Tuesday’s concert (repeated yesterday) was a tribute to a much-loved conductor and three composers – Bantock, Elgar and Vaughan Williams – who defined him. Read

Music of Life Foundation, at Adrian Boult Hall

sparkle Read

Zoe & Idris Rahman at CBSO Centre

When Zoe and Idris Rahman first performed some of the music they had gleaned from their father’s tape collection it comprised the second half of a concert, and the band was Zoe’s trio (Ollie Hayhurst on bass, Gene Calderazzo on drums) plus Idris on clarinet and Kuljit Bhamra on percussion. Read

Conference kicks off Gigbeth music festival in Birmingham

Music professionals from industry and education are gearing up for Birmingham’s Gigbeth 2008 music industry conference which aims to forge links between the two fields. Read

Season heats up in autumn

Now that the concert season is in full swing again after the summer, this week’s diary is packed with events vying for attention. Read

Led Zeppelin set to tour - but without Robert Plant

Led Zeppelin are rumoured to be making plans for a tour, but without frontman Robert Plant. Read

Di Xiao at Birmingham Town Hall

A piano recital which began with such a serene entrance from the soloist ended in whoops, cheers and a standing ovation. Read

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