Five things you didn't know about Elgar
Learn more about Elgar as a composer and a conductor, his relationship with the LSO and some of his unique quirks.
Behind the scenes: why is a Green Room called a Green Room?
It all started with an Instagram post of the sign on the door of Sir Simon Rattle’s dressing room – or more accurately the Barbican Centre’s Conductor’s Green Room. One of our followers asked the question: ‘why is it called a Green Room?’
Farewell to Nigel Broadbent, First Violin
On Thursday 21 December we say goodbye to one of the stalwarts of the London Symphony Orchestra, First Violinist Nigel Broadbent, who retires after 38 years in the Orchestra.
Eight things you didn’t know about Rachmaninoff’s Piano Concerto No 2
Rachmaninoff’s Piano Concerto No 2 is one of the most popular and recognisable concertos in the classical repertoire. Widely enjoyed but played only by the most skillful pianists, it has been performed in concert halls consistently since 1901. But how much do you really know about this landmark piece?
A farewell to Patrick Harrild, Principal Tuba
After nearly 30 years as the man in the Principal Tuba seat, Patrick Harrild’s last official day as a Member of the London Symphony Orchestra has dawned. Tonight he’ll play his last concert – Mahler 7 with Gianandrea Noseda and Berg Violin Concerto with Janine Jansen – before he heads off into retirement.
Old Street, New Beginnings
In 1966, the parishes of St Luke’s on Old Street, now LSO St Luke’s, and St Giles’ Cripplegate, now just across the water from the Barbican Centre, joined together to form a single community in the heart of London after St Luke’s was forced to close due to structural damage. The united congregation is still thriving today.
The LSO in World War I: musicians at war
As we approach the 100th anniversary of one of the bloodiest battles of World War I, the Battle of the Somme, the LSO’s concert on 28 April includes music written by composers directly affected and influenced by the War.
The LSO in World War I: The Dream of Gerontius
Following on from our 2014 series, we explore the activity of the LSO 100 years ago, during the Battle of the Somme.
The LSO in World War I: The Sad Tale of Adolph Borsdorf
The seventh blog in our series exploring the Members of the LSO who served in World War I tells the story of horn player Adolph Borsdorf.
The LSO in World War I: Elgar's Carillon and how the repertoire changed
Turning attention to those who stayed in the UK during the war.
The LSO in World War I: Eli Hudson
The sixth blog in our series exploring the Members of the LSO who served in World War I tells the story of flautist Eli Hudson.
The LSO in World War I: Music, Poetry and the Trauma of War
As we approach our weekend marking the centenary of World War I (31 October –2 November), broadcaster and writer Stephen Johnson explores the connection between music and war – its healing and its galvanising properties – and the speakers that will be taking part in our Musical Brain Study Day on Sunday 2 November at LSO St Luke’s.
