Archive Dive
![Thomas Busby Speech page 2 Photocopy of Thomas Busby's Speech](https://images.lso.co.uk/uploads/2024/06/2-scaled.jpg?resize=30%2C10&gravity)
From the Archive: Thomas Busby's Speech
Images and transcript of the never-before-seen speech from our archive, written by founding member, Thomas Busby.
![Serge Prokofiev Serge Prokofiev Prokofiev, Sergei as a young man in the 1920s](https://images.lso.co.uk/uploads/2024/01/Prokofiev-Sergei-as-a-young-man-1920s-e1705324197481.jpg?resize=30%2C10&gravity)
From the Archive: Sergei Prokofiev performs with the LSO, January 1924
Browse through a programme from 100 years ago today, when Prokofiev performed his First Piano Concerto with the LSO.
![Historical Violin Signatures on the back of a violin](https://images.lso.co.uk/uploads/2023/12/HistoricViolin_2000x666.jpg?resize=30%2C10&gravity)
From the Archive: A violin signed by 43 original Members
An intriguing instrument in the LSO’s archive, and the only physical piece of evidence that stretches back to the Orchestra’s genesis in 1904.
![Leonard Bernstein Leonard Bernstein conducting](https://images.lso.co.uk/uploads/2023/11/Bernstein-header-2-1500x500-1.jpg?resize=30%2C10&gravity)
What was Leonard Bernstein's relationship with the LSO?
From his first concert in 1966, to becoming LSO President in 1987, Leonard Bernstein had a close relationship with the LSO that spanned 24 years.
![Leonard Bernstein Leonard Bernstein conducting](https://images.lso.co.uk/uploads/2023/11/Bernstein-header-3-1500x500-1.jpg?resize=30%2C10&gravity)
Five of Bernstein's Best Recordings with the LSO
From Mahler’s Symphonies to his own Candide, here are just five highlights of Leonard Bernstein’s recording sessions with the LSO.
![London Symphony Orchesta logo in white displayed on black background](https://www.lso.co.uk/themes/childtheme/assets/images/lso_backup.png)
From the Archive: Pierre Monteux, Principal Conductor 1961–64
Learn more about the LSO’s Principal Conductor between 1961–64, Pierre Monteux
![2 The first known photo of the LSO, July 1904 The first known photo of the LSO, July 1904](https://images.lso.co.uk/uploads/2023/05/2-The-first-known-photo-of-the-LSO-July-1904.jpg?resize=30%2C10&gravity)
The Birth of the London Symphony Orchestra
In 1904 four brass players hatched a plan on a train to Manchester to form a new orchestra, run as a co-operative, and so the London Symphony Orchestra was born.