The City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra (CBSO) is delighted to announce that Lithuanian conductor Mirga Gražinytė-Tyla has been appointed as its 12th Music Director, beginning September 2016 for an initial three-year period.
Gražinytė-Tyla made her debut with the CBSO in July 2015 and impressed the Orchestra so much that she returned last month to conduct a specially arranged concert featuring works by Debussy, Schumann and Sibelius. Following an extensive search process led by a committee made up of CBSO musicians, board members and management, and with strong support from Orchestra and audience alike, a unanimous decision was made by the board of trustees to invite Gražinytė-Tyla to be the CBSO’s next Music Director. She succeeds Andris Nelsons, who held the position from 2008-2015.
The CBSO is known for performing the widest range of orchestral and choral music, and Gražinytė-Tyla will continue this tradition in her role as Music Director. Her artistic plans with the CBSO will range widely from Mozart and Haydn to 20th century classics and works by living composers. Coming from the strong choral traditions of the Baltic states (her father is a choir conductor in Lithuania), and following her role in Salzburg, she will also lead opera projects in Birmingham and will work closely with Simon Halsey CBE, CBSO Chorus Director, on projects with the CBSO’s internationally renowned choruses. Full details of the CBSO’s 2016-17 concert season in Symphony Hall, Birmingham will be announced in April 2016.
Gražinytė-Tyla made her debut with the CBSO in July 2015 and impressed the Orchestra so much that she returned last month to conduct a specially arranged concert featuring works by Debussy, Schumann and Sibelius. Following an extensive search process led by a committee made up of CBSO musicians, board members and management, and with strong support from Orchestra and audience alike, a unanimous decision was made by the board of trustees to invite Gražinytė-Tyla to be the CBSO’s next Music Director. She succeeds Andris Nelsons, who held the position from 2008-2015.
The CBSO is known for performing the widest range of orchestral and choral music, and Gražinytė-Tyla will continue this tradition in her role as Music Director. Her artistic plans with the CBSO will range widely from Mozart and Haydn to 20th century classics and works by living composers. Coming from the strong choral traditions of the Baltic states (her father is a choir conductor in Lithuania), and following her role in Salzburg, she will also lead opera projects in Birmingham and will work closely with Simon Halsey CBE, CBSO Chorus Director, on projects with the CBSO’s internationally renowned choruses. Full details of the CBSO’s 2016-17 concert season in Symphony Hall, Birmingham will be announced in April 2016.
Combining the dynamism of youth and a profundity beyond her years, conductor Mirga Gražinytė-Tyla is a creative and technical force. At the age of 29, she has already enjoyed meaningful and lasting relationships with top orchestras all over the world. Notably, Gražinytė-Tyla was named Music Director of the City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra in February 2016. She made her debut with the orchestra in July 2015 and returned in January 2016. In becoming the Music Director, Gražinytė-Tyla follows in the footsteps of Sir Simon Rattle, Sakari Oramo and Andris Nelsons.
Previous CBSO Chief Conductors and Music Directors:
Appleby Matthews (1920 – 1924), Sir Adrian Boult (1924 – 1930) (1959-1960), Leslie Heward (1930 – 1943), George Weldon (1944 – 1951), Rudolf Schwarz (1951 – 1957), Sir Andrzej Panufnik (1957 – 1959), Hugo Rignold (1960-1969), Louis Frémaux (1969 – 1978), Sir Simon Rattle (1980 – 1998), Sakari Oramo (1998 – 2008), Andris Nelsons (2008 – 2015)
Previous CBSO Chief Conductors and Music Directors:
Appleby Matthews (1920 – 1924), Sir Adrian Boult (1924 – 1930) (1959-1960), Leslie Heward (1930 – 1943), George Weldon (1944 – 1951), Rudolf Schwarz (1951 – 1957), Sir Andrzej Panufnik (1957 – 1959), Hugo Rignold (1960-1969), Louis Frémaux (1969 – 1978), Sir Simon Rattle (1980 – 1998), Sakari Oramo (1998 – 2008), Andris Nelsons (2008 – 2015)
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