Symphonic sounds of middle England

It's probably not very often, if, in fact ever, that a world-renowned conductor can be compared to an arachnid. Whenever high-energy conductor, Sakari Oramo, leads the City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra, however, his driving performances often result in the Fin appearing to have as many arms as a spider has legs. Audiences could easily be forgiven for thinking the conductor was spinning a web rather than guiding one of England's leading orchestras through a driving crescendo.

Formed in 1920 by a group of music buffs that included pre-second World War prime minister, Neville Chamberlain -- a politician remembered for declaring "peace in our time" with Hitler's Nazi Germany rather than for his musical abilities -- the City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra has since become one of the UK's most respected ensembles.

Conducted by such classical dignitaries as Edward Elgar and Adrian Boult in its formative years, it was to be 25-year-old Simon Rattle who would ensure the CBSO's name was firmly etched in the history books.

Taking over as both conductor and artistic director of the CBSO in 1980, Rattle was the UK's youngest principle conductor and during his 18-year term at the CBSO he would become one of the nations' most highly regarded baton wavers. Fourteen years after taking over the reins of the Midland's orchestra, Rattle received a knighthood from Britain's Queen Elizabeth in her 1994 Birthday Honors List.

While many might consider Rattle a hard act to follow, Oramo, who was appointed principle conductor of the CBSO in 1998, hasn't sat back and allowed the orchestra to simply rely on Rattle's name for its continuing success.

Since his appointment, Oramo has not only built up a strong partnership with the orchestra, but has also led the ensemble through some of its busiest seasons. The 2001 season alone saw the CBSO making appearances at 10 international festivals, performing at the BBC's Proms series and still making time to perform in its own quite sizable backyard.

"Being located in Birmingham means we have to cover a large area of England," explained Stephen Maddock, the orchestra's chief executive. "Whereas orchestras based in other cities perform mainly in those particular cities, we have obligations to perform in other Midland cities such as Coventry, which makes us one of the busiest orchestras in England."

Regardless of their contrasting styles of leadership CBSO members hold both of them in equally high esteem.

"Rattle had his way of doing things and Oramo has his ways," admitted CBSO cellist, Richard Jenkinson, the last member employed during Rattle's tenure. "Comparing their abilities, though, is a lot like comparing a Lamborghini with a Ferrari."

Along with their full-time employment as CBSO musicians, many of the group's members also take a keen interest in education. Often using their own time to visit schools to give recitals and teach music appreciation to kids more in tune with the guitar jangle of Oasis rather than classically orchestrated choruses.

"While we invite schools to our headquarters for tuition and recitals, individual members still make the time to go to local schools," Maddock said. "Considering that they are all full-time employees -- and exceptionally busy ones at that -- it's something that we consider a very important aspect of the orchestra's work. Being partially funded by the taxpayer, our aim is not only to perform, but also to give something back to the community."