Lithuanian conductor Mirga Gražinytė-Tyla will assume the role as of December 2023

Currently serving as the City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra’s (CBSO) principal guest conductor, Mirga Gražinytė-Tyla will take up its associate artist position from next month.

Gražinytė-Tyla, who was also CBSO’s music director from 2016 to 2022, will return regularly to Birmingham in her new role and maintain connections with the orchestra and choruses.

In December, she will present a program showcasing the music of Eastern Europe, including works by Čiurlionis, Loboda, Kakhidze, and Weinberg.

Featured soloists will include CBSO musicians clarinetist Oliver Janes, flutist Marie-Christine Zupancic, violist Adam Römer, plus her own sister, pianist Onuté Gražinytė on December 6, 2023.

In the associate artist role, Gražinytė-Tyla will work with chief conductor and artistic advisor Kazuki Yamada, associate conductor Michael Seal, and assistant conductors Rita Castro Blanco and Charlotte Corderoy.

“‘Music can lift our feelings and imagination to undreamed spheres,’” Gražinytė-Tyla said, quoting Daniel Barenboim. “I am incredibly grateful to have experienced so many times together with CBSO how true this is — and I am so happy that we are going to discover and share many more of those undreamed spheres.”

“I am thrilled to formalize our continuing relationship with Mirga through this exciting new role, ever strengthening her incredible bond with the musicians of the CBSO,” added CBSO’s CEO Emma Stenning. “As Associate Artist, we look forward to her regular return to the orchestra, bringing her intense musicality and creative flair to performances for our audiences both here in Birmingham, and further afield.”