London Symphony Orchestra launches new skills development scheme for talented musicians
London Symphony Orchestra launches new skills development scheme for talented musicians
Joel Thompson on To Awaken the Sleeper: 'Baldwin asks us to build a new world'
Joel Thompson is an Atlanta-based composer, artist and educator best-known in the US for his 2015 choral work Seven Last Words of the Unarmed, that sets the final words of seven Black men who were killed by police or authority figures. On 6 November at the Barbican, London, we perform another of his pieces in the UK for the first time, To Awaken the Sleeper, written for orchestra and narrator. Joel introduced this new piece, and the inspiration behind it, to us.
André J Thomas on marking Black History Month with the LSO
Announced as LSO Associate Artist in May 2022, André J Thomas is a world-leading expert on choral and American gospel music. He has already brought his passion for gospel to two concerts with the LSO (March 2020 and May 2022), and this Autumn he does it all again, paired with a second concert of orchestral works from contemporary US composers Joel Thompson, Carlos Simon and Wynton Marsalis.
Read on to find out more about each concert.
A statement from the London Symphony Orchestra: Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II
The London Symphony Orchestra is deeply saddened by the death of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II.
Obituary: Terry Edwards, 1939–2022
The London Symphony Orchestra is saddened to hear of the death of choral conductor Terry Edwards.
Obituary: Alastair Putt, 1983–2022
The London Symphony Orchestra is saddened to hear of the passing of Alastair Putt, alumnus of the Panufnik Composers Scheme, in August 2022
Obituary: Benedict Cruft (1949–2022)
The London Symphony Orchestra is saddened to hear of the death of Benedict Cruft, former LSO violinist.
Tangram's Naomi Woo: What, where and why is silent music?
On 28 and 29 August at LSO St Luke’s, Tangram present Our Silence is Your Silence, a concert exploring the boundaries between sound and silence in music on the 70th anniversary of John Cage’s pioneering silent piece, 4’33”. In preparation for the performance, Naomi Woo reflects on many facets of silent music, including Cage and beyond.
Introducing Our Soundhub Associates (Part 1)
Welcoming the new composers on the LSO Soundhub scheme: Alex Groves, Joe Bates
Introducing Our Soundhub Associates (Part 2)
On Wednesday 15 June four LSO Soundhub Associates present a composer-curated evening of music at LSO St Luke’s. We recently caught up with Arthur Keegan-Bole and Marilyn Herman to find out more about their creations, compositional style, experiences working with the LSO and what’s coming up next for them. Read on to find out more.
Retirement Wishes for Christine Pendrill
This month we say a fond goodbye to Christine Pendrill, LSO Principal Cor Anglais, one of our longest-serving Members, and a prominent presence on the front row of the woodwind section. Gareth Davies, Principal Flute, writes for his colleague.
A Lifelong Love of the Trumpet: Håkan Hardenberger
Interview by James Drury
