Pre-Release
- 8 NOV 2024
- 8 Songs
- A Family Christmas · 2024
- A Family Christmas · 2024
- A Family Christmas · 2024
- Classical Music for Reading · 2024
- Classical Music for Reading · 2024
- Classical Music for Reading · 2024
- Classical Music for Reading · 2024
- Classical Music: Piano · 2024
- Classical Music: Piano · 2024
Essential Albums
- Gergiev brought out of the London Symphony Orchestra a range of new colours when they played Prokofiev’s music, and this recording of the complete Romeo & Juliet ballet is a superb reminder of the Gergiev-LSO partnership. Full of glorious melodies; rich, vivid colours; and a really astounding rhythmic life, this is one of Prokofiev’s finest theatrical scores. And Gergiev is a true man of the theatre, often conducting for dancers—experience that gives his performance of the ballet real authority.
- The London Symphony Orchestra is a world leader in works by Elgar, and conductor Sir Colin Davis has shown ample affection for the English composer in his own discography. So this live recording of the Enigma Variations, Introduction, and Allegro for Strings has some high expectations to meet. Unusually, the crew here opt to keep their performance of the Enigma frequently low-key; the interpretive choice works wonderfully as an elegant counterpoise to more obvious (and strenuous) methods of attack.
- André Previn’s ’70s recordings of the Tchaikovsky ballets are a cornerstone of his widely followed conducting career. His lucid and flowing way with the LSO during Swan Lake shows precisely why: Beyond tending to the familiar melodies, Previn and his players lavish attention on the less familiar motifs and dances from the full work. Still, the showstopper moments come off well (check out the stomping “Coda” from the Act I “Pas de deux”), as do the tender moments (like violinist Ida Haendel’s solo during “Danses des cygnes”).
- Recorded in November 1971 and still sounding amazingly fresh in superb Decca sound, here are two piano-and-orchestra favourites that find pianist, orchestra and conductor making magic happen. Ashkenazy’s wonderful way with this composer—he’s one of the great Rachmaninoff interpreters—makes this a very special recording: the Concerto broad, romantic and powerfully done, the Rhapsody witty, fleet of foot and full of sparkle. Previn is a perfect partner and had already made the LSO into a world-class Rachmaninoff ensemble.
- This release is famous as one of the triumphs of Jacqueline du Pré’s all-too-short career. Her featured performance on the Elgar Cello Concerto is a master class in how to brood without losing momentum. There’s always a songlike quality to her tone, even when she brings out the grain in her instrument’s sound. John Barbirolli’s conducting keeps everything in balance. And the addition of Elgar’s Sea Pictures, with Janet Baker singing, makes this a top recommendation among all-Elgar sets.
- 2023
Artist Playlists
- An orchestra with an authority that covers English as well as Russian symphonic music.
Appears On
- Floating Points, Pharoah Sanders, London Symphony Orchestra & Sam Shepherd
More To See
- 2022
About London Symphony Orchestra
Formed in 1904, the London Symphony Orchestra has stood apart from other classical institutions by eschewing the practice of being defined by a single musical director. Instead, its members have chosen the conductors they want to work with, temporarily allowing these guests—some, such as Albert Coates and André Previn, installed for extended terms—to shape the group according to their particular vision. The LSO was launched by a group of musicians who rejected the demand of exclusive contracts by Henry Wood’s Queen’s Hall Orchestra. As a cooperative, it embraced profit-sharing—although it aborted the practice in 1948, when it turned nonprofit—and instilled an autonomy that has endured through booms and busts (particularly when many musicians were conscripted during the two World Wars). That model has engendered an artistic versatility that has seen the orchestra excel at different repertoires depending on the conductor, such as Sir Edward Elgar’s command of English music and Claudio Abbado’s sensitivity toward Austro-German music. Widely considered to be the most recorded orchestra in history, the LSO has also distinguished itself by prodigiously recording film music, including the Vaughan Williams score for 49th Parallel in 1941 and John Williams’ music for Star Wars in 1977. In more recent years, the orchestra and Sir Colin Davis capped an association stretching back decades when he was named principal conductor in 1995 and presided over the widely acclaimed "Berlioz odyssey", performing the composer's complete catalogue. And in 2017, as Britain began the process of exiting the European Union, Simon Rattle, a frequent presence since late '90s, took the position of musical director amid high ambitions for a newly energised ensemble.
- ORIGIN
- London, England
- FORMED
- 1904
- GENRE
- Classical