BCMG In Bloom 2023 BCMG in Bloom 2023 is a celebration of nature and music, connectivity with other cultures, and a reminder to us all to appreciate the natural world around us. Download our booklet of events Visit www.bcmg.org.uk/concerts for tickets. We are very excited to be bringing back our free Cherry Blossom Concert in collaboration with Ikon Gallery, with new additions of music from Japan. We will also be blossoming in Bristol at the wonderful Arnolfini Gallery, performing with a backdrop of contemporary art. Have a read below and get ready for the long-awaited T R E E concert, (this is your last chance to support Christian Mason's magical piece, The Singing Tree!) a collection of performances with our BCMG NEXT 22-23 cohort, and much more. 'As the winter departs and is replaced by the blossoming of spring, the changing of seasons continues to be an unfathomable inspiration to creatives. Trees have been honoured since the beginning of time, and today composers continue to refer to them as roots in their life and music. In keeping with the theme of growth, we go back to nature with Christian Mason’s sound-world, focusing on the “natural” series of overtones. We’ve asked the famous Paul Griffiths to provide a libretto, and he did so, in the shape of a tree. As artists we have the voice to express the world outside of the concert hall; art has always been positioned between nature and spirit. We want our work to create change from the root, we do this by partnering with important green initiatives; building, if not fighting, for a sustainable relationship with nature. Before the plant comes the seed; before the fruit the blossom – this is how our first half year 2023 is built, with events in Bristol, open air, and conducted by Kazuki Yamada. Our Blossoming program creates a special focus on Japanese composers, from the land of the rising sun, who have a strong tradition of celebrating the cherry blossom. We travel to the opening flower with composer Toshio Hosokawa, as if catching the sound world of its spreading leaves, with accompanying pieces by Dai Fujikura mixing eternity with sensuality of the moment. Finally, capturing eternal youth, we celebrate the centenary of György Ligeti.' Stephan Meier, Artistic Director BCMG Blossoming in Bristol Sat 18th February, 15:00 Arnolfini Gallery, Bristol Tickets Join us in Arnolfini Gallery for music with strings and clarinet inspired by nature, surrounded by a backdrop of art. Gallery Dai Fujikura (1977) Sakana (2007, 10’) Hollie Harding motion (2018, 6’) Concert Hall Charlotte Bray (1982) In Black Light (2018, 8’) Beyond (2013, 4’) Dai Fujikura (1977) Rubi(c)on (2006, 1’) Perpetual Spring (2017, 10‘) Toshio Hosokawa (1955) Blossoming (2007, 15’) György Ligeti (1923 – 2006) string quartet No. 2 (1968, 20’) Cherry Blossom Concert Sun 2nd April, 15:00 Oozells Square, Brindleyplace Book a free ticket BCMG's Cherry Blossom Concert is back! In collaboration with Ikon Gallery, we are bringing a moment of calm to your Sunday lunchtime. This will be an hour-long, free, and sensory event for all ages. Grab a coffee from one of Brindley Place's local cafes and feel free to drop in and out as you please. Want to know what to expect? Read our blog from our 2022 Cherry Blossom Concert. Charlotte Bray Beyond (2013, 4’) In Black Light (2018, 8’) Hollie Harding motion (2018, 6’) Dai Fujikura (1977) Sakana (2007, 10’) Perpetual Spring (2017, 10‘) György Ligeti (1923 – 2006) string quartet No. 2 (1968, 20’) Photography by Anthony Crutch at BCMG Cherry Blossom Concert 2022 Blossoming in Birmingham Conducted by Kazuki Yamada Sat 29th April, 19:00 CBSO Centre Tickets Welcoming Kazuki Yamada to his new role as Chief Conductor and Artistic Advisor for CBSO, and in keeping with BCMG in Bloom, we present music inspired by the natural world. Experience immersive and dramatic music inspired by nature. Expect to hear strings and feel the wind around you. Lisa Illean (1983) Januaries (2017, 11’) Dai Fujikura (1977) Perpetual Spring (2017, 10‘) Secret Forest (2008, 17’) György Ligeti (1923 – 2006) String Quartet No. 2 (1968, 20’) Toshio Hosokawa (1955) Blossoming (2007, 15’) T R E E Concert Fri 12th May, 19:00 Birmingham Town Hall, B:Music Tickets The long-awaited T R E E Concert is finally here! Join us in exploring the connections between nature and humankind in an enchanting musical programme that includes the world premiere of Christian Mason’s new Sound Investment commission The Singing Tree, with text by Paul Griffiths, and the textural Concertini for ensemble by Helmut Lachenmann. T R E E has grown from an idea into multiple activities and workshops for young musicians, extensive digital resources, artwork, real-life planted trees, and a lifelong connection with the amazing Birmingham Trees For Life, and there’s so much more we want to do. We believe this project is as much for us as it is for our planet, join us to celebrate what we often take for granted and spread the importance of preserving our green spaces, and planting new ones. Read more about the T R E E project. Neue Vocalsolisten Stuttgart Children's Choir Michael Wendeberg Conductor Helmut Lachenmann b. 1935, Concertini (2005) 33’ Christian Mason b. 1984, The Singing Tree (2020, 30’) World Premiere This commission is generously funded by Ernst von Siemens Music Foundation, PRS Foundation, and The Radcliffe Trust. BCMG NEXT Birmingham Contemporary Music Group and Royal Birmingham Conservatoire join forces yearly to offer a unique training programme for music students and professional musicians looking for a career as performers of contemporary music. As part of this, our talented early career musicians perform throughout the year along with our BCMG Musicians, come and support the next generation of musicians. BCMG NEXT concerts are a great opportunity to experience something new and support early-career musicians for only £5. Read more about BCMG NEXT at www.bcmg.org.uk/next Visit www.bcmg.org.uk/concerts for tickets. BCMG NEXT X CBSO SOUNDS NEW Sun 29th January 16:15 Symphony Hall Birmingham, Jennifer Blackwell Performance Space Free to Sounds New ticket holders Join BCMG NEXT for a performance to bring in the new year, featuring works by Benjamin Graves, Rebecca Saunders, Aileen Sweeney, Bethan Morgan Williams and more. This concert is available to CBSO Sounds New ticket holders and takes place directly afterwards, you may even recognise some faces who've worked with BCMG before! CBSO Sounds New CBSO have asked 20 of the most exciting new voices to each write an entirely new piece of music just for them (and you). This can be on any theme or in any style they like, it just can’t be more than 4 minutes long. Commissioned as part of their centenary celebrations, CBSO are excited to introduce these brand-new pieces to the world - so come along and try something new, you might just be among the first to hear a modern masterpiece.This concert is supported by The John Feeney Charitable Trust BCMG NEXT in Cov Fri 24th March, 19:00 Coventry Cathedral Tickets BCMG NEXT are returning to the beautiful surroundings of Coventry Cathedral for a performance of works by Tristan Murail, Brian Ferneyhough, Anton Webern, Christian Mason and more. Performing music that addresses the metaphysical and spiritual. Blossoming with BCMG NEXT Sat 29th April, 20:45 CBSO Centre Tickets After Blossoming in Birmingham our NEXT early-career musicians will be playing pieces by Dai Fujikura, Toshio Hosokawa, Lisa Illean and more. BCMG NEXT - TREE Fri 12th May, 18:00 Birmingham Town Hall, B:Music Free to ticket holders of T R E E Concert Hear pieces by Helmut Lachenmann, and Christian Mason performed by our BCMG NEXT early-career musicians. Support the generation of contemporary musicians as a starter to our T R E E Concert. Free Workshops for Young People Book Free Tickets Music Maze Music Maze is a series of fun, creative, participatory workshops for children aged 7 - 11. Workshops are linked to performances by BCMG. Children do not need to play a musical instrument to take part. 22 January, 10am - CBSO Centre 26 February, 10am - CBSO Centre 26 March, 10am - CBSO Centre 14 May, 10am - Justham Family Room & Jane How Room, B:Music BCMG Young Composers – Spring A series of 4 Composing Workshops for ages 11 – 14. BCMG Young Composers is an exciting project for budding composers where they will get the opportunity to compose for BCMG musicians guided by a professional composer. CBSO Centre 29th January, 10am 26th February, 10am 5th March, 10am 26th March, 10am You must be able to attend all workshops. Creative Composing Lab 5 March, 10am – 6pm CBSO Centre Creative Composing Lab is an exciting opportunity for young people ages 14 - 18 to compose guided by professional composer and BCMG musicians. If you love creating music or need ideas for your GCSE, BTEC or A-level composition, Creative Composing Lab is for you. Participants need some music notation skills. At the end of the workshop day, there will be a performance of all the compositions created by the participants. Manage Cookie Preferences