This evening I was treated to a symphony of music…. from a mixture of sources and all for free… on the streets of Birmingham and within one of the finest concert halls in the world. It made me realise just how lucky we are to be living, working and enjoying this city of Birmingham.
I started this evening’s audibly enlightening evening on a walk from my office off Broad Street. The sun was shining and Broad street was already a buzz with Friday night revellers. As I made my way across Centenary square I suddenly felt I was on the promenades of Paris as the quaint and unmistakable sound of a solo accordion and male voice drifted across the evening air. The busker sat unassumingly on the wall of the bridge in to Paradise Forum- undoubtedly unaware of the valuable addition he was making to my evening and the symphonic noise of the city tonight.
Down the steps of Chamberlain square and music takes me to a different country and continent as two baritone saxophonist duet a fusion of Caribbean reggae with an American Jazz Blues vibe. The only thing to spoil this snapshot was the interfering street warden who tried to stop these musicians playing. Why any one would want to stop this I do not know, I wish there was more, it would be fabulous to see a different busker on every corner.
After attending to my dietary business on New Street (Dinner) I make my way back through Victoria square and past the Saxy duet, via Paradise Forum where the Accordion squeezes on and in to the ICC where I pick up my complimentary ticket – a perk of working in the same building as the CBSO and I take my seat in Symphony Hall, where the Orchestra are no where to be seen – hidden away in the pit. The musicians place on centre stage has been replaced by a large cinema screen.
The first instruments strike up and the first of two Charlie Chaplin films begin. A short film of 23 minutes ensues with music written by conductor for the evening Carl Davis. After the interval the main flick of the evening – The Circus, one of Chaplin’s funniest movies and a score penned by the comic genius himself.
The CBSO were on top form and the sell out audience lapped up every bowed minim and blown crotchet.
The formal part of the evenings musical journey over, I thought this was it for my symphonic walk for the night… but luck had it there was just one left in store. A solitary guitar and rugged, old singing voice resonated between the branches and buildings of New Street as I made my way to the train.
If only every evening was this diverse, what a culturally wealthy bunch of citizens we’d be… but then again, how many of us open our ears to the sounds around us and how many stick our heads down and disengage from the thick soup we live among.
