CBSO: SYMPHONIE FANTASTIQUE

This François Leleux-conducted CBSO concert climaxes with a performance of Symphonie fantastique, a piece which Hector Berlioz wrote as a reaction to a deeply affecting romantic failure. 

Accompanying the acclaimed work are two compositions by Claude Debussy - Prelude To The Afternoon Of A Faun and Rhapsody For Cor Anglais And Orchestra. 

A lush and lyrical wind sinfonietta from Ruth Gipps completes the programme.

Symphony Hall, Wednesday 21 October

ORCHESTRA OF THE SWAN: A LITTLE NIGHT MUSIC

The Warwick-based Orchestra of the Swan (OOTS) return to their previous home of Stratford-upon-Avon this month to take part in the town’s week-long music festival - an event which is this year celebrating its 30th anniversary. 

OOTS’ concert sees them presenting a programme featuring compositions from three centuries. These include Dido’s Lament (Purcell), Gabriel’s Oboe (Morricone), Adagio (Barber) and Air (Bach)... Mozart, Vivaldi, Handel and Elgar, meanwhile, are represented by some of their most enduring music. 

Stratford Town Hall, Stratford-upon-Avon, Thursday 22 October

SERENADES WITH FRANÇOIS LELEUX

City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra’s (CBSO) ever-popular Centre Stage season continues this month, giving audiences the chance to experience the artistry of the musicians in an intimate setting. 
The latest entry in the series sees acclaimed oboist François Leleux team up with the orchestra’s woodwind section to perform mini masterpieces by Dvořák, Gounod and Richard Strauss. 

The lunchtime concert comes the day after Leleux conducts the full CBSO in a performance of Berlioz’ Symphonie fantastique.

CBSO Centre, Birmingham, Thursday 22 October  

RED PRIEST: A BAROQUE EXTRAVAGANZA

With the promise of a 30th-anniversary year to look forward to in 2027, baroque quartet Red Priest boast a truly unique style, bringing together high-energy performance with boundary-crossing arrangements and an endearing theatricality. Given that the group take their name from red-haired Italian priest and legendary Baroque composer Antonio Vivaldi, it’s no surprise to find that they’re turning to his best-known work, The Four Seasons, for this Shropshire Music Trust concert. Compositions by Bach, Handel and Georg Philipp Telemann are also included in the evening’s programme.

Maidment Building, Shrewsbury School, Friday 23 October

THE GONZAGA BAND

Cornettist Jamie Savan formed the Gonzaga Band back in 1997, meaning that their 30th-anniversary year lies just a couple of months away. 

Jamie is joined by soprano Faye Newton and Steven Devine (harpsichord and organ) for this 55-minute lunchtime concert, performing a selection of songs and duets from the age of Monteverdi... 

The winning compositions from the 2026 NCEM/BBC Radio Three Young Composers Award also feature in the programme.

Royal Birmingham Conservatoire, Tuesday 27 October

LEON MCCAWLEY PIANO RECITAL

Since forming at the Guildhall School of Music & Drama seven years ago, Fibonacci have been making a name for themselves as one of Europe’s finest young string quartets. 

They visit Birmingham to perform a lunchtime concert that features Mozart’s String Quartet No21 and their own arrangements of Moravian folksongs as a prologue to Janácek’s Intimate Letters.   

Stoke-on-Trent Classics’ Piano Masters returns with an imaginative new season of concerts. 

October’s contribution to the series is a performance by renowned British pianist Leon McCawley. A first-prize winner many a moon ago in the ninth International Beethoven Piano Competition, Lyon is using his late-month Potteries recital to trace the evolution of the piano, from Mozart’s classical clarity to the rich Romanticism of Chopin and Grieg. 

Works by Beethoven, Fanny Mendelssohn and Faure also feature on the bill. 

Stoke-on-Trent Repertory Theatre, Thursday 29 October

ARMONICO CONSORT: SUPERSIZE POLYPHONY 3

Armonico Consort turn 25 this year and are ready to party! Concert-goers who’ve enjoyed the ensemble’s previous two Supersize Polyphony performances will no doubt be waiting with bated breath for the next in the series. And why wouldn’t they be? After all, what’s not to like about an immersive 360-degree surround-sound concert celebrating large-scale 16th- and 17th-century choral music? 

Armonico director Christopher Monks is typically effusive about the forthcoming celebration: “For those who have loved the cinema sound-effects of our polychoral performances from Spem in Alium in 40 parts surrounding the audience, you will simply love this! We will be working with special guest choirs around the UK in celebration of our momentous milestone.”  

Coventry Cathedral, Tuesday 26 January