Performer: Kazuki Yamada

Eklat bei der Schweizer Tournee des City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra: Starpianist Fazıl Say wurde wegen einer Israel-kritischen Äusserungen kurzfristig ausgeladen. Eine Chance für den Einspringer.

Mahler’s First Symphony is given a fresh take, revelling in melody, by Kazuki Yamada and the CBSO, while Dai Fujikura’s new Trombone Concerto proves an unsatisfactory indulgence. 

The sought-after current music director of the City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra will adopt this new role in Berlin from the 2026–27 season.

Kazuki Yamada, Claire Booth and the Paraorchestra were among the winners announced on Thursday, which also honoured contemporary music record label NMC and Belfast’s Open Arts Community Choir.

Kazuki Yamada’s infectious ebullience has rubbed off in a major way on the Birmingham orchestra, and this season they tackle a fleet of big symphonies: Bruckner’s, Mahler’s and Beethoven’s Ninths.