From their home on the edge of the Arctic Circle, the Iceland Symphony Orchestra return to Birmingham after a triumphant UK debut in 2020.

Bringing star quality to their latest tour, they’re joined by one of today’s greatest pianists and the Orchestra’s Artist in Association, the irrepressible Sir Stephen Hough. “In some ways I find the Third the most moving” of all of Beethoven’s concertos, he says.

Don’t miss the chance to hear why. Tchaikovsky’s Fifth Symphony may have been torture to write but audiences loved it and it remains enduringly popular, full of dramatic outbursts and unashamed romance. And the orchestra also bring Metacosmos, by composer in residence Anna Thorvaldsdottír whose striking soundworld is often inspired by nature.

About the Iceland Symphony Orchestra

• The Iceland Symphony Orchestra is the resident orchestra in Reykjavík's award-winning Harpa Concert Hall.

• The Iceland Symphony Orchestra consists of around 90 outstanding musicians of 13 nationalities.
  

• The Iceland Symphony Orchestra gives regular concerts in Eldborg, which is Harpa’s main concert hall and one of the outstanding new concert halls worldwide, and as Iceland’s national orchestra tours both nationally and abroad.

• Eva Ollikainen is Chief Conductor and Artistic Director at the Iceland Symphony Orchestra.

• The Iceland Symphony Orchestra celebrated its 70th anniversary in 2020 and has been one of the pillars of cultural life in Iceland from the very beginning.

• Many of the world’s most celebrated conductors and soloists have appeared in concert with the Iceland Symphony Orchestra. Among the world-renowned musicians in recent years are Evgeny Kissin, Hilary Hahn, Jonas Kaufmann, Víkingur Ólafsson, Vladimir Ashkenazy and Stephen Hough.

• The Iceland Symphony Orchestra offers a variety of programs, spanning everything from well-known classics to world premiere performances of new works by Icelandic and international composers.

• The Iceland Symphony Orchestra records regularly for leading music labels and has received many international awards, as well as two nominations for Grammy Awards for Best Orchestral Performance.

Don't miss Iceland Symphony Orchestra's performance on Fri 21 Apr at Symphony Hall.