The City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra (CBSO) today announces its 2025-26 season, presenting a compelling programme of concerts deeply connected to the city's vibrant cultural identity.

The season features an appearance from Birmingham-born superstar Laura Mvula and orchestral epics from the world of movies and musicals, alongside concerts conducted by CBSO Music Director, Kazuki Yamada, who begins a full Mahler Symphony Cycle in January 2026.

What’s On spoke to the Orchestra’s CEO Emma Stenning and Catherine Arlidge, Director of Artistic Planning, to uncover the gems in the new season’s programme, and find out what treats are in store, whether you are a long-term supporter of the CBSO, or brand new to Orchestral music…

The CBSO looks forward to a new season of classical greats alongside beloved music from the stage and screen - and while the new season is already generating excitement from the Orchestra’s long-term supporters, CEO Emma Stenning reveals that it has also caused a buzz within the Orchestra itself.

“There was a wonderful moment when we introduced the program to the orchestra,” she explains, “When we talked about Kazuki's Strauss program, they started cheering! It's the kind of music that the orchestra longs to play”

“We'll see more projects with The Orchestral Qawwali Project, who sell out wherever they go. Our latest project with them has just sold out at the Barbican in London - that concert will play here in Birmingham and then transfer to London.” Emma continues, “We're working on a partnership with Classically Black which is a project of Black lives in music. We're delighted to be bringing Laura Mvula back to the stage, who of course is Birmingham born and bred. She once worked front-of-house here at the CBSO Centre, and composed some of her early music on the piano in our rehearsal room I think - and is now a superstar.”

The season’s finale features a piece of music that is deeply connected with the CBSO, says Catherine Arlidge, Director of Artistic Planning, “The closing concert of the season - Kazuki conducts Harmonium - is going to be epic. It's a full orchestra and huge chorus. Harmonium by John Adams is a piece the CBSO premiered in Europe in 1987. Its world premier was in America and we did the European premiere, so it's a piece that's got real history with us.”

Appreciation for orchestral music is on the rise, not only through film and video game soundtracks, but also as people use streaming services to access classical music to match their mood. Emma is keen to highlight that the CBSO offers a helping hand to anyone wanting to explore classical music for the first time:

“We had a brilliant week last year where the orchestra played at the Bullring and at New Street station, and we played smaller concerts all across the city - all for free. We're doing that again, that's the first thing in the brochure this year… Again, totally free - just come and get a sense of what the orchestra is about and how incredible the experience of live music is. 

She adds that the brochure itself has a new feature to help audiences navigate new music - without needing in-depth knowledge about the composers or performers.

“On the front of the brochure, we run through words like ‘adventurous, calming, comforting, moving, powerful…’ and as you look through the program, you'll see each concert has got two or three badges attached” Emma explains, “All of those mood badges have been applied by Kazuki or the artists, sometimes the audiences, so it should be a really good sign-post for people to help find their way into the program.”

“There will be things in the season that people have heard of, even if you're not an orchestra-goer.” Adds Catherine, “We've got the Star Wars trilogy, three films with live orchestra. We've also got a Chaplain film, with live orchestra. We've got a Bernstein night, with bits from West Side Story, we've got a James Bond night, there's a Queen night…”

“Movies and musicals are a great way in for people to discover orchestral music, because if you've seen a movie, you've heard an orchestra play.” Emma adds, “We had a concert earlier this season which was the animated film How to Train Your Dragon, with the orchestra playing live. The soundtrack is phenomenal! It was just such a happy night, seeing the hall full to the brim with families - people coming for the first time. It's just a magical way to discover the orchestra.”

And for anyone who prefers a more traditional orchestral programme, there are definitely treats in store, led by CBSO Music Director, Kazuki Yamada.

“Kazuki is with us until at least 2029,” says Catherine, “So this season we've started a Mahler cycle - all nine Mahler symphonies will be performed by the orchestra over those four years. Mahler One kicks off in January 2026. That's a long-term project, which will take audiences on a long journey, but it's also really good for the orchestra, because you start to cement your style together and build a unique voice.”

Tickets go on sale later this month, and Catherine and Emma offer tips as to which concerts are likely to prove particularly popular. Puccini’s Tosca is scheduled towards the end of the season on Saturday 27 June, and Kazuki’s aforementioned Strauss programme takes place on Wednesday 10 December - both of which might end up selling like hot cakes, so book your tickets while you can.

The CBSO’s 2025-26 brochure is now available online, with tickets for the new season on sale from Wednesday 21 May, at 10am.