A FOUR-DAY mini festival of new music - Floof! - takes place this week when the City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra showcases the work of eight living composers.

Artistic Director and Musical Director Sakari Oramo said the festival marked the fulfilment of a dream to see his orchestra showcase the best music written in the last 10 years.

The festival kicks off on Thursday at 8pm at Symphony Hall with Magnus Lindberg's Gran Duo, a symphony for wind and brass, Esa-Pekka Salonen's Variations for the whole orchestra and works by two British composers - Jonathan Harvey's White as Jasmine and Julian Anderson's The Crazed Moon.

On Friday, also at Symphony Hall at 8pm Esa-Pekka Solonen conducts the CBSO for two of his own works including Lachen Verlernt for solo violin, played by the CBSO's Musical Director.

Salonen also conducts two works dedicated to him.

Esa - In Cauda V by Franco Donatoni and the British premiere of the Piano Concerto by his friend Magnus Lindberg.

On Saturday there is an opportunity to meet the composers at the CBSO Centre at 3pm, followed by a concert in the evening at 8pm, also at the CBSO Centre.

Solonen's Floof featuring Finnish soprano Anu Komsi is performed together with works from Julian Anderson, Magnus Lindberg, Simon Holt and Maricio Kagel.

Sunday's 3pm concert at Symphony Hall ends the festival with a programme of strong contrasts including pieces from Philippe Schoeller, Julian Anderson, Jonathan Harvey and Hanspeter Kyburz.

Tickets for all Floof! events are £7.50 (£4 concessions).

There is also a "rover ticket" for the whole festival, to include admittance to all events for £30 (£16 concessions).

Call 0121 780 3333 or book online at www.cbso.co.uk