London Symphony Orchestra facts for kids

LSO concert of film music at the Barbican, 2003. Left to right: Gordan Nikolitch and Lennox Mackenzie (violins), Jerry Goldsmith (conductor), Paul Silverthorne (viola), Moray Welsh (cello)

The London Symphony Orchestra (LSO) is one of the most famous orchestras in the world. They are based in London at the Barbican Centre. But they often travel to many different countries to perform.

The LSO started in 1904. Most of its first players had been part of Henry Wood's Queen's Hall orchestra. They left that orchestra because Henry Wood made a rule. The rule said they could not send other musicians (called deputies) to rehearsals or concerts. The LSO was then created as a self-governing group. This means the musicians themselves make all the decisions. They decide how much they get paid and who can join the orchestra.

LSO Conductors and Leaders

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

LSO's Early Adventures

The LSO was the first British orchestra to play overseas. They went to Paris in 1906. The LSO players almost faced a big danger in 1912. They were supposed to sail on the RMS Titanic for a concert in New York. Luckily, they had to change their booking at the last minute. They did tour the USA and Canada that year. They were the first British orchestra to do that too.

LSO Chorus and Recordings

In 1966, the London Symphony Chorus (LSC) was formed. This choir joins the LSO for music that needs singers. For a long time, the LSO did not allow women to be full members. However, this rule changed over time.

The LSO made its first gramophone recording in 1920. Since then, they have made a very large number of recordings.

Principal Conductors of the LSO

Clockwise from top left: Adolf Borsdorf, Thomas Busby, John Solomon and Henri van der Meerschen, founding fathers of the LSO

Images for kids

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  Bernard Haitink and the London Symphony Orchestra at the Barbican Hall, June 2011

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  Hans Richter, first conductor of the LSO

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  Elgar and the LSO, Queen's Hall, 1911

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  Sir Thomas Beecham

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  Willem Mengelberg

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  Pierre Monteux

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  Henry Wood Hall, acquired and converted by the LSO and the LPO in the 1970s

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  Leonard Bernstein

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  Sir Colin Davis

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  The LSO at the Barbican, 2011. Front, left to right, Roman Simović, Carmine Lauri (violins), Alastair Blayden, Tim Hugh (cellos), Bernard Haitink (conductor), Gillianne Haddow, Edward Vanderspar (violas), Tom Norris, Evgeny Grach (violins). Players to the rear include David Pyatt (horn), Andrew Marriner (clarinet), Rachel Gough (bassoon)

See also

In Spanish: Orquesta Sinfónica de Londres para niños