Clarinetist

Music for an autumn day with Brahms’ haunting Clarinet Quintet.
Brahms had retired from music when he met the clarinettist of his dreams. Result: this magical Clarinet Quintet, in which melodies curl like woodsmoke, and passionate sorrows burst like wildfire into golden autumn afternoons. In short, it’s a masterpiece, and with our own Section Leader Clarinet Oliver Janes leading a team of colleagues, it’s 40 minutes of magic.

Centre Stage: Brahms' Clarinet Quintet

CBSO Centre

Discover an enchanting afternoon of music at the "Centre Stage: Kegelstatt Trio" event, hosted by the City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra. This informal concert is set to take place on Thursday, 30 May 2024, at 2:00pm in the intimate setting of the CBSO Centre. 

Designed to showcase Birmingham’s best-kept musical secrets, the event promises a unique experience where the programme is thoughtfully curated and introduced by the orchestra's own talented musicians. While the full lineup of pieces and performers is yet to be announced, attendees can look forward to an exquisite selection including Ades' "4 Berceuses from The Exterminating Angel," Schumann's "Marchenerzallungen," and the highlight of the afternoon, Mozart's "Kegelstatt Trio." 

The trio will feature Oliver Janes on clarinet, Chris Yates on viola, and a pianist to be confirmed, coming together to create an unforgettable musical journey. 

Tickets are priced at an accessible rate, with special discounts available for students, under-18s, and benefit recipients, ensuring everyone has the opportunity to enjoy this cultural gem. The concert is expected to last less than an hour, making it the perfect cultural interlude to your day.

To enhance your experience, a selection of delicious cakes and hot drinks will be available for purchase up to an hour before the performance begins. 

Don’t miss this opportunity to immerse yourself in the world of classical music through the "Centre Stage: Kegelstatt Trio" event, a testament to the vibrant musical culture that thrives in Birmingham. Book your tickets now and be part of an afternoon that celebrates the beauty and depth of chamber music.

Centre Stage: Kegelstatt Trio

Join us for an enchanting afternoon of music at the "Centre Stage: Woodwind Ensemble" event, presented by the City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra. This informal concert is set to take place on Thursday, 18th April 2024, at 12:00pm, at the CBSO Centre, offering a unique opportunity to discover one of Birmingham’s best-kept musical secrets.

The programme for this special event features a delightful selection of compositions, including Gounod's "Petit Symphony" and Carl Reinecke's "Wind Octet in B flat Major, Op. 216". These pieces will be brought to life by the talented ensemble, consisting of Emmet Byrne and Rachael Pankhurst on oboe, Nikolaj Henriques and Margaret Cookhorn on bassoon, Mark Phillips and Jeremy Bushell on French horn, and Oliver Janes and Mark O’Brien on clarinet.

This concert promises an intimate experience, lasting less than an hour, making it the perfect midday musical escape. Tickets are priced at £10, with reduced rates available for students, under-18s, and benefit recipients. Please note that this concert is not part of the multi-buy discount scheme.

Before the performance, attendees will have the opportunity to indulge in a selection of delicious cakes and hot drinks available for purchase up to an hour before the performance begins.

Don’t miss this opportunity to immerse yourself in the exquisite sounds of the woodwind ensemble and experience the magic of live music. Book your tickets now for an unforgettable afternoon at the CBSO Centre.

Centre Stage: Woodwind Ensemble

A thoroughly swinging time is guaranteed: jazz, ballet – and a funky fusion of both.
‘You really know it’s Christmas when The Nutcracker makes its appearance’. So wrote American dance critic Marcia B. Siegel: and she’s not wrong. With its magical toys and journey to the Land of Sweets, Tchaikovsky’s ballet could hardly be more Christmassy. This sparkling concert features a festive selection from The Nutcracker alongside Duke Ellington’s very individual take on the piece. From ‘Toot-toot-tootie-toot’ to ‘Sugar Rum Cherry’, Ellington jazzes up Tchaikovsky in style. In between, Bernstein’s Prelude, Fugue and Riffs will have you grooving with its sassy swagger. The CBSO’s own Oliver Janes takes the solo clarinet part, which was originally written for jazz supremo Benny Goodman.

Kazuki conducts The Nutcrackers

Birmingham Town Hall

Ravishing Russian ballets and a Mozart ‘mystery'.
This is a sumptuous programme of soaring melodies, dramatic encounters, and a touch of utter elegance in the middle. Swan Lake, a tale of doomed love and malevolent betrayal, contains some of Tchaikovsky’s most inspired and exquisitely sorrowful melodies. Mozart’s Sinfonia Concertante has created something of a mystery among scholars, who have a wonderful time arguing about its origins and even whether Mozart actually wrote it. Whatever the answer, this is a gorgeously refined celebration of wind instruments, here showcasing the talents of a wonderful quartet of musicians. Finally, Prokofiev tells the story of Romeo and Juliet, his famous ballet score ranging in mood from swagger to swoon to sombre reflection.

Benevolent Fund Concert: Tchaikovsky, Mozart & Prokofiev

Symphony Hall in Birmingham

Beethoven lets his hair down – and seven musicians share the fun.
Never mind the symphonies: one of Beethoven’s greatest hits in his own lifetime was this marvellous Septet. A team of CBSO players are bringing it back today, and quite honestly, what’s not to enjoy? Symphonic drama and delicate poetry; musical jokes and irresistibly catchy tunes - this life-affirming pocket masterpiece has got it all. Summer arrives early at the CBSO Centre.

Centre Stage: Beethoven's Septet

Pure transcendence from pianist Steven Osborne and four CBSO colleagues.
In a wartime prison camp, Olivier Messiaen found himself with a clarinettist, a violinist, an old piano and a cello with a broken string. From them, he created a vision of beauty on a cosmic scale. Messiaen’s Quartet for the End of Time leaves no one unmoved, and we’re privileged to play it today with one of Messiaen’s greatest living champions, guest artist Steven Osborne.

Clarinetist

Oliver Janes

Events

Upcoming events

Dec 10, 2026

Kazuki conducts The Nutcrackers · City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra

Feb 21, 2027

Benevolent Fund Concert: Tchaikovsky, Mozart & Prokofiev · City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra

Apr 23, 2027

Centre Stage: Beethoven's Septet · City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra

May 20, 2027

Centre Stage: Quartet for the End of Time with Steven Osborne · City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra

Past events

Oct 28, 2026

Centre Stage: Brahms' Clarinet Quintet · City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra

May 30, 2024

Centre Stage: Kegelstatt Trio · City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra

Future and recently performed repertoire

Clarinet in Clarinet Quintet by Brahms

City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra

Clarinet in Prelude, Fugue and Riffs by Bernstein

City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra

Clarinet in Septet by Beethoven

City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra

Clarinet in Quartet for the end of time by Messiaen

City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra

Clarinet in Sinfonia Concertante for Four Winds in E♭ major, K. 297b by Mozart

City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra

About

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