While we are unable to perform live at the Barbican and our favourite venues around the world, you can still enjoy the iconic sound of the LSO through our huge catalogue of recordings. We asked some of the writers we work with to tell us their favourite LSO recordings, and what it is that makes them listen time and time again. Stay tuned for regular recommendations from some of the names behind our programme notes, artist biographies and content. 

In 2018, Sir John Eliot Gardiner launched his Schumann cycle, recorded for LSO Live, with concerts at the Barbican and on tour in Germany. In an excerpt from a conversation with David Nice, he introduced us to Robert Schumann's orchestral music, which we are bringing to your living rooms this Thursday (26 March 2020).

Glenn Gould is perhaps best known for recording keyboard works by Bach, and in particular the Goldberg Variations – first in 1955 and again in 1981. In the recordings, the Canadian pianist can be heard humming along to melodies.

Over the course of the last twelve months, eight emerging composers on the Panufnik Composers Scheme have been experimenting with writing music for a full symphony orchestra. With support and guidance along the way from renowned composers Colin Matthews and Christian Mason, these eight artists have each developed a piece roughly three-minutes in length, all of which will be performed and discussed by the LSO and Principal Guest Conductor François-Xavier Roth in two public workshops in March. But what does it take to follow in the footsteps of giants like Beethoven, Tchaikovsky and Mahler? Panufnik composer Jonathan Woolgar shares his thoughts with us.