BBC Arts correspondent Razia Iqbal reports on Rattle's farewell

Rattle, who is credited with helping to put Birmingham on the world's cultural map, is stepping down from his role as Music Director of the city's symphony orchestra.

On Sunday he will wield the conductor's baton for the last time in the job, when he leads the City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra through Mahler's Second Symphony.

Rattle took charge at the CBSO aged 25

It is almost impossible to underestimate Sir Simon's influence on the Midland's city, as it has struggled to shed its image as a cultural desert; a grimy centre for heavy industry.

Since joining the CBSO as Music Director in 1980, aged 25, the charismatic conductor has propelled the once-provincial orchestra onto the world stage.

By the early 1990s the cultural ripples were being felt by the wider city. The Royal Ballet relocated from London's Saddlers Wells to Birmingham and Ronnie Scotts jazz club, so synonymous with London's cool Soho district, also spread its wings to the city.

Rattle's crowning glory came in 1991 with the opening of the city's 2,200-seater Symphony Hall. It was by far the most acoustically sophisticated concert hall in Britain at the time and became a visible catalyst for the city's regeneration.

His concert programmes, which traditionally mix the work of classic composers with more innovative material, became a strong draw.

Birmingham claims a wealth of cultural pursuits

It was to his credit and Birmingham's pride that London critics would flood to the "second city", seeking the inspiration they could not find in the capital.

As Rattle's final season with the CBSO has drawn to a close, his faithful followers have been queuing up to say goodbye.

At the start of August he took to the stage of Symphony Hall, without his characteristic baton, for a question-and-answer session with members of the public.

When the summer 1998 programme was announced in February, Sir Simon's two farewell performances - this Saturday and Sunday night - were sold out within hours.