London Symphony Orchestra

London Symphony Orchestra. Founded in 1904, it is one of the oldest and most celebrated symphony orchestras in the United Kingdom. Based in the Barbican Centre in the City of London, the ensemble is renowned for its artistic excellence and innovative programming. It operates as a self-governing body, owned and managed by its own musicians.

History

The orchestra was established by a group of 46 players who had resigned from the Queen's Hall Orchestra under the management of Henry Wood, seeking greater artistic and financial control. Its inaugural concert was conducted by Hans Richter at Queen's Hall in June 1904. Early milestones included being the first British orchestra to tour North America in 1912, under the baton of Rimsky-Korsakov's student Arthur Nikisch. The ensemble survived significant challenges, including the destruction of its music library during The Blitz in World War II. A pivotal moment in its modern history was the move to the Barbican Centre in 1982, which became its permanent home. Throughout the 20th century, it worked with legendary figures like Serge Koussevitzky, Pierre Monteux, and Leopold Stokowski, solidifying its international reputation.

Music directors

The role of Music Director has been held by many influential conductors. The first principal conductor was Hans Richter, who served until 1911. Notable successors included the charismatic André Previn, whose tenure from 1968 to 1979 was marked by popular television broadcasts and recordings for RCA Records. He was followed by the esteemed Claudio Abbado from 1979 to 1988, who expanded the repertoire with works by Mahler and Berg. Michael Tilson Thomas served from 1988 to 1995, emphasizing American music. Colin Davis had a long and fruitful association, first as Principal Conductor from 1995 to 2006 and later as President. The dynamic Valery Gergiev held the post from 2007 to 2015. Since 2017, the position has been held by Simon Rattle, formerly of the Berlin Philharmonic, who has launched ambitious projects focusing on community and contemporary works.

Recordings and media

The orchestra has an extensive and pioneering recorded legacy, beginning with early acoustic recordings for the Gramophone Company. It has recorded numerous landmark film scores, including the entire *Star Wars* series with composer John Williams and the *Harry Potter* films. The LSO founded its own label, LSO Live, in 1999, a groundbreaking model for releasing live concert recordings. It has a long association with Decca Records, EMI, and Sony Classical. The orchestra was also integral to the development of commercial stereophonic sound recordings in the 1950s. Its media work extends to frequent broadcasts on BBC Radio 3 and collaborations with major streaming platforms.

LSO St Luke's

Since 2003, the orchestra has maintained a second, innovative performance and education venue at LSO St Luke's, located on Old Street in London. The site is the restored 18th-century Church of St Luke, which was damaged during the Second World War. The venue houses the LSO Discovery programme, one of the most extensive music education projects in the UK, offering workshops and activities for people of all ages. It serves as a rehearsal space and a recording studio, and hosts intimate concerts, fostering closer engagement with audiences beyond the main Barbican stage.

Awards and recognition

The orchestra and its recordings have received numerous accolades, including multiple Grammy Awards and Gramophone Classical Music Awards. Specific acclaimed recordings include its cycles of Beethoven symphonies under Josef Krips and the Sibelius symphonies under Colin Davis. It has also been recognized for its film score work, earning awards from the Academy and BAFTA. In 2006, a documentary film, *The Elusive English*, detailed its first tour to China. The LSO was the first British orchestra to receive the Royal Philharmonic Society’s Orchestra Award in 2003.

Category:Symphony orchestras Category:Musical groups established in 1904 Category:Music in London