Colston Hall

If you have never heard live classical music before, 2012 is the time to try.

This year, the very best orchestras, soloists and conductors from across the globe are coming to Bristol for the International Classical Season, delivering exciting and accessible concerts for everyone.

Come and hear this powerful and passionate music the way it was meant to be heard.

Highlights of 2012

Our partnership with the Bournemouth Symphony Orchestra has resulted in an incredibly strong line-up of concerts this year, featuring big hitting pieces like Orff's Carmina Burana and Faure's Requiem. Featuring special guest soloists and conductors, this year’s programme really packs a punch.

"Not a hair of a note was out of place; this was a performance by a world-class orchestra"

- The Times of the BSO

It's not surprising that the stirring emotion of orchestral music has made its way to the silver screen so many times. This year the BSO are giving us a night of movie magic in a performance of the Oscar-winning scores of John Williams, feauring music from ET, Jaws, Jurrassic Park and more.

At the heart of Bristol Ensemble's 2012 season is a series combining Beethoven's majestic, trailblazing and influential symphonies with performances of major cello concertos. The ensemble's conductor, Jonathan James, has said, 'Although so familiar, it's really rare to hear these symphonies performed back to back. Heard this way, each one reveals a new character and message. We'll be bringing out the revolutionary and the surprising in all of them, and revelling in the drama of each symphony's story.'

Lunchtime Concerts

Make the most of your lunch break with a concert given by students of the Royal Academy of Music, London. Perfect for those who fancy a bitesized introduction to classical music, these mini concerts feature the up-and-coming maestros of tomorrow.

Discovering Music Talks

Jonathan James, conductor of the Bristol Ensemble, hosts his popular series of talks digging deeper into the themes and ideas behind the music from the International Classical Season. In his entertaining and humourous style, Jonathan will explore and uncover the musical building blocks and key themes from each programme, uncovering and demystifying the music.

Get the best out of the season

Become one of our subscribers and you'll really begin to reap the benefits of this wonderful and eclectic season.
Benefits of becoming a subscriber include:

• Priority booking period before the general public (until Sunday 26 June)
• Ability to choose your own seats (subject to availability)
• Discounts when booking more than three concerts
• Free tickets to lunchtime classical concerts
• Free tickets to Discovering Music talks
• Free concert programmes
• A 10% discount at H Bar café and restaurant

For further information
Contact the box office to find out about the incentives of becoming a subscriber and for further information on concerts, or simply look at the subscriber discount section at the end of the brochure.

International Classical Season 2011/12 brochure

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