Updated 6:34am 23 May 2013

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Jazz Diary

* If you want to hear what young British jazz sounds like in 2012, the easiest way to find out is to get to a Roller Trio gig.Read

Our forefathers were electric conductors

The Baltic region has become a hot bed for talented conductors. Christopher Morley talks to Estonian maestro Neeme Jarvi about why the region has produced so much musical mastery.Read

Enigmatic composer Carl Davis premieres new soundtrack at Symphony Hall

Enigmatic composer and conductor Carl Davis prepares to premiere the new soundtrack to Harold Lloyd's famous film The Freshman at Symphony Hall tomorrow. Here he describes what it is about Harold that he finds so fascinating.Read

Alison Moyet: I'll never sell my soul for a record deal

Singer Alison Moyet was first thrust into the spotlight in the 80s with Yazoo. She talks to Sarah Probert about her proudest moment and why she is a reluctant celebrity.Read

Review: CBSO/Viva Italia! Symphony Hall

*****

No cause for alarm, but last Wednesday Andris Nelsons stopped conducting the CBSO. Not all the time, I stress, but frequently enough for us to appreciate the trust that exists between him and his beloved players.Read

Review: Ex Cathedra at Birmingham Town Hall

****

Ex Cathedra is undoubtedly one of the jewels in our region's glittering cultural crown. Read

Review: Benjamin Grosvenor with Orchestra Of The Swan, at Birmingham Town Hall

*****

One of the hallmarks of the Orchestra of the Swan's success is the gift of collaboration.Read

Jazz Diary

Another solid week of good club gigs and free treats lies ahead, with some vibrant visiting players and strong support from the home teams.Read

Birmingham Opera Company's RPS Award for Stockhausen performance

Birmingham Opera Company has won the Opera and Music Theatre award at the Royal Philharmonic Society Music Awards.Read

Sumptuous feast of music with international flavour in Birmingham

Christopher Morley looks at the highlights of a busy classical music season in Birmingham.Read

Last of the Bee Gees goes it alone

Barry Gibb talks about life back on the road for the first time since the death of his brothers. Martin Hutchinson reports.Read

We British really know how to put on the pomp

Actress Jean Boht talks to Alison Jones about her celebration concert for the 60th anniversary of the Queen's Coronation.Read

Review: Cheltenham Jazz Festival at Various venues

*****

I restricted myself mainly to the Jazz Legends strand: US band leaders who have been plying their trade for quite a while now - in the case of vibes player Gary Burton for over 50 years.Read

Review: CBSO/Andris Nelsons and Mitsuko Uchida at Symphony Hall

*****

The juxtaposition of Mozart, Webern, Messiaen and Scriabin may have been a shock to some of Mitsuko Uchida's regular fans, but for those willing to embrace a challenge this CBSO: 2020 programme was intensely thrilling.Read

Review: The Song Of The Severn at Forum Theatre, Malvern

*****

Ian Venables has always been a courageous composer, unafraid to bare his soul in music which speaks so communicatively to the listener.Read

Jazz Diary

Judged against the age of other academic institutions, the jazz course at Birmingham Conservatoire Jazz Department may be barely out of nappies, but its impact on the jazz music not only of this city but far beyond is being felt in increasing large ripples.Read

Review: Cheltenham Jazz Festival 2013

Peter Bacon attends some of the gigs in Cheltenham during this year's jazz festivalRead

Review: Noah And The Whale, at Warwick Arts Centre, Coventry

***

A rare chance for fans to hear a glimpse of that new sound with its rousing strings and streamlined guitars.Read

Noddy Holder heads back out onto the road

Noddy Holder was just seven years old when he stood up on stage at a working men's club to sing. Sixty years on, he talks to Roz Laws about his glittering musical career - and what happened to that famous hat.Read

CBSO launches programme based on sound business sense

The chief executive of the City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra says it has taken an entrepreneurial approach after unveiling its “broadest ever programme” for its 2013/14 season.Read