London Symphony Orchestra

The London Symphony Orchestra (LSO) is a British orchestra. It is one of the most famous orchestras of the world. The orchestra is based in London's Barbican Centre. They often tour to many other countries. The LSO became the first British orchestra to play overseas when it went to Paris in 1906.

London Symphony Orchestra
Orchestra
London Barbican Hall LSO Haitink.jpg
Bernard Haitink and the London Symphony Orchestra at the Barbican Hall, June 2011
Founded1904
Concert hallBarbican Centre
Music directorSir Simon Rattle
Websitewww.lso.co.uk

The LSO started in 1904. Most of the players had been members of Henry Wood's Queen's Hall orchestra. They left that orchestra when Wood made a rule that they were not allowed to send deputies to rehearsals or concerts. The LSO was set up as an organization that governed itself. This means that the members organize everything. They decide things such as how much they are paid and who can be a member of the orchestra.

The LSO gave its first concert on 9 June 1904. Hans Richter was the conductor. He was principal (main) conductor until 1911, when Edward Elgar took over for a year. Some of the most famous conductors in the world have conducted the orchestra. Since January 2007, Valery Gergiev has been the LSO's Principal Conductor. André Previn is the Conductor Laureate (Honorary conductor). In 2006, Daniel Harding became the co-principal guest conductor with Michael Tilson Thomas. Richard Hickox is the Associate Guest Conductor of the LSO. The leader of the orchestra is Gordan Nikolitch.

The LSO players nearly died in 1912 as they were sail on the RMS Titanic for a concert in New York. They changed the booking at the last minute. They did tour the United States and Canada that year. They were the first British orchestra to do so.

In 1966, the London Symphony Chorus (LSC) was formed to join the LSO for works with choirs.

For many years, the LSO did not allow women to become members. They thought the sound would not be as good.

London Symphony Orchestra Media


The LSO made their first gramophone recording in 1920. They have made many recordings since then.

In December 2021, the LSO created its own Film and TV production arm itself. In October 2022, the London Symphony Orchestra signed a film and television deal to produce, distributes and creates content for Netflix.

The London Symphony Orchestra's upcoming one hour concert television film, The Worlds, will be premiered in December 2024. The upcoming animated series from The London Symphony Orchestra, titled Wales of the Big Blue!, will be premiered on Netflix in March 2025.

Discography

Studio albums

Principal Conductors

The London Symphony Orchestra has had many principal conductors since it was created in 1904.