Stories

Shostakovich: a Guide to the Symphonies
Timmy Fisher guides us through an intense musical journey spanning almost 50 years, as we explore the symphonies of Dmitri Shostakovich.

The Sound of New York: Marsalis and Ellington
Ahead of our performance of Wynton Marsalis’ Symphony No 4 ’The Jungle’ and works by Duke Ellington, Philip Clark compares their musical interpretation of New York City.

Five Reasons to love Bartók's The Miraculous Mandarin
Discover Bartók’s The Miraculous Mandarin, from the shocking story to the scandalous premiere.

Interview with Barbara Hannigan
‘As a singer, I’m also an actor.’ LSO Associate Artist Barbara Hannigan on balancing of singing and conducting, curating programmes and her love of Joseph Haydn.

Pierre Boulez: A Timeline
Ahead of our upcoming concerts celebrating the centenary of Pierre Boulez, we look back on some of the key dates in his career.

Remembering Pierre Boulez
‘He was one of the most pleasant conductors to work with without question.’ Former LSO Chair and Principal Second Violin, David Alberman, shares his experiences of working with Pierre Boulez.

The History of LSO Live
As we celebrate the 25th anniversary of our in-house record label, LSO Live, we spoke to LSO Managing Director, Dame Kathryn McDowell DBE DL, and the LSO’s former Managing Director, Sir Clive Gillinson about the early days of the label, their favourite recordings, and what’s in store for the years to come.

Five Reasons to love Puccini's La rondine
Step into the charming world of Puccini’s La rondine, a story of love thwarted by society’s conventions.

An Introduction to Helmut Lachenmann
Ahead of our performance of My Melodies, Philip Clark explores the fascinating sonic world of German composer Helmut Lachenmann.

Beethoven: a Guide to the Symphonies
Composer and author Jan Swafford guides us through the game-changing symphonies of Ludwig van Beethoven, from first to last.

Interview with Sir Antonio Pappano
‘At the age of 12, I knew that music was going to be my life.’ As he starts a new chapter as Chief Conductor of the London Symphony Orchestra, Sir Antonio Pappano tells us more about his background, influences, and what it’s like to conduct the LSO.

Five reasons to love Holst's The Planets
Gustav Holst’s The Planets is an iconic British work written on a cosmic scale. Discover more about the charm of a piece that still surprises listeners today.