1980s

• MTT & LSO, 1989 MTT & LSO, 1989
• Classic Rock, 1980s Classic Rock, 1980s
• Opening of the Barbican Centre, 1983 Opening of the Barbican Centre, 1983
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1982

The Barbican Centre opens. The LSO takes up first ever London orchestral residency.

1984

BBC TV documentary series Life of an Orchestra produced by Jenny Barraclough.

1985

The highly successful Mahler, Vienna and the Twentieth Century Festival conceived by Claudio Abbado heralds a new format of themed concert series for the LSO and London.

Outside Directors are admitted to the LSO Board for the first time, including a representative of the Arts Council.

1986

The LSO mounts a Bernstein Festival.

1987

Leonard Bernstein becomes President of the Orchestra until his death in 1990.

60th birthday series of Mstislav Rostropovich, who forms a close relationship with the LSO.

1988

The LSO establishes education policy and founding of LSO Discovery.

Michael Tilson Thomas takes up the position of Principal Conductor (1988–95).

1989

The LSO wins the first ever Royal Philharmonic Society Orchestral Award for ‘excellence in playing and playing standards’.

Concert performances of Bernstein’s Candide, conducted by the composer and video-recorded by Deutsche Grammophon.