Archive Dive
Snippets from history: Walton & the LSO
During his lifetime William Walton had a long and close relationship with the LSO. Read on to discover more about the composer, his history with the LSO and his majestic Viola Concerto.
From the Archive: Elgar's Cello Concerto – 100 Year Anniversary
On 27 October 1919, the LSO performed the world premiere of one of the most popular works in the repertoire: Elgar’s Cello Concerto. It may be popular now, but it wasn’t always the case…
The LSO in World War I: Armistice and Renaissance
Back in 2014 we began a project to uncover the story of the LSO and its players during World War I, marking the centenary of the start of the conflict. Four years later, to mark the centenary of the Armistice, we return to take a look at how the LSO was coping by the end of the War and what happened next.
And so the big day has arrived... LSO On Track is 10!
Nicole Wilson, violinist, broadcaster, journalist and founder of Musical Orbit, has been following our young musicians from LSO On Track and the Guildhall School as they got ready for a busy and exciting few days.
Five things you didn't know about Elgar
Ahead of Nikolaj Szeps-Znaider’s performance of the Violin Concerto on Sunday 29 March 2018, we 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?’
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?
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: 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: 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.
The LSO in World War I: Robert Carrodus
The fifth blog in our series exploring the Members of the LSO who served in World War I tells the story of violinist Robert Carrodus.
