City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra

Banging The Drum For Brum

The City of Birmingham Orchestra was founded, in 1920, by a group of public-spirited citizens, led by Neville Chamberlain, and becomes the first symphony orchestra to be funded by a local authority - to the tune of £1,250. In the same year Edward Elgar conducted first CBO concert in Birmingham Town Hall and Appleby Matthews, a notable local musician who, three years later,
had co-founded the orchestra is appointed its first conductor

Maestro Sakari Oramo. [Musical Director]

Discover Classical Music

with the CBSO.

the aim here is to provide useful

information relating to the

world of classical music

Sir Simon Rattle. 1955-

Sir Simon Rattle

Sir Simon was with the

CBSO for 18 years 1980-1998

first as Principal Conductor

and in September of 1990

he became Musical Director.

this is Sir Simon's official website

The Record Room website is

sam-and-lizzie