Harpist

For a showcase of all the colours in an orchestra’s palette, this CBSO concert is a great place to start. Benjamin Britten’s famous orchestral guide began life in 1945 as the soundtrack to an instructional film, but its pitch perfect spotlighting of each instrument, all based around Henry Purcell’s Rondeau from the play Abdelazar, has never dated. On a more intimate scale, Mozart’s much-loved Flute and Harp Concerto gives two CBSO Principal players a chance to shine. Composed in 1778 for the flute-playing Duke of Guines and his harpist daughter, it wasn’t exactly Mozart’s most cherished commission, as he admitted to disliking both solo instruments. Nonetheless he delivered it in style, its graceful interplay showing Mozart at his most charming and lyrical.

EPSG:4326

City Of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra

Royal Concert Hall Nottingham

Joyful, radiant and dramatic - Britten's vision of the Christmas spirit.
Start your Christmas season with three festive masterpieces by Benjamin Britten, as we join forces with Ex Cathedra to mark his 50th anniversary. From the precocious A Boy was Born, written aged 19 and the much-loved A Ceremony of Carols, to the vivid storytelling of Saint Nicolas - this is an unmissable festive afternoon of music that glitters and endures.

Ex Cathedra: Britten at Christmas

Birmingham Town Hall

A concert of fairytales and wonder from harpists Katherine Thomas and Alex Rider.
What could be more magical than the sound of a harp? Two harps, of course, and today CBSO Principal Harpist Katherine Thomas is joined by her inspirational colleague Alex Rider to weave sonic enchantment. There’ll be mysterious tales from Ravel, shimmering nocturnes, and the ravishing musical images of Claude Debussy – music to spark the imagination and soothe the soul.

Centre Stage: Two Harps

CBSO Centre

Pianist Alice Sara Ott stars in a celebration of the wit, the wonder and the boundless imagination of Maurice Ravel.
“I get inspired by things I see and experience," says our Collaborative Artist Alice Sara Ott, “by conversations, by people”. So, we’re especially delighted to be playing chamber music alongside her this afternoon: the enchanted visions of Maurice Ravel, from the fantastic Introduction and Allegro to the dizzying La Valse. Up close in the CBSO Centre, it’ll sound like magic.

Harpist

Katherine Thomas

Events

Upcoming events

Dec 5, 2026

Ex Cathedra: Britten at Christmas · City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra

Dec 9, 2026

Centre Stage: Two Harps · City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra

May 30, 2027

Centre Stage: Kazuki Yamada & Alice Sara Ott · City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra

Past events

Oct 15, 2025

City Of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra · Theatre Royal & Royal Concert Hall

Future and recently performed repertoire

Harp in A Ceremony of Carols by Britten

City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra

Harp in Introduction and Allegro by Ravel

City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra

Harp in Flute and Harp Concerto by Mozart

Theatre Royal & Royal Concert Hall

Harp in Song in the Night by Salzedo

City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra

About

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