More recently, its principal conductors have included Pierre Monteux (1961–64), Istvan Kertesz (1965–68), André Previn (1968–79) and Claudio Abbado (1979–88). From 1988-1995, the American Michael Tilson-Thomas took over, and in 1995, became principal guest conductor. Sir Colin Davis served as the LSO's Principal Conductor from 1995-2006, and in 2007 took the post of President of the orchestra. On 1 January 2007, Valery Gergiev became the LSO's Principal Conductor. Previn holds the title of Conductor Laureate. In 2006, Daniel Harding became the co-principal guest conductor alongside Tilson Thomas. Richard Hickox is the Associate Guest Conductor of the LSO.
The LSO became the first British orchestra to play overseas when it went to Paris in 1906. The LSO was due to sail on the RMS Titanic for a concert in New York in April 1912 but fortunately had to change the booking at the last minute. It was also the first to play in the United States, in 1912, and in 1973 it was the first to be invited to take part in the Salzburg Festival. It continues to make tours around the world.
In 1966 the London Symphony Chorus (LSC) was formed to complement the work of the LSO. with more that two hundred amateur singers, the LSC maintains a close association with the LSO; however it has developed an independent life, which allows it to partner other leading orchestras.
The LSO has long been considered the most extraverted of the London orchestras. For most of its life it refused to allow women to become members, ostensibly on the grounds that women would affect the sound of the orchestra (there has been a similar controversy at the Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra). There is an air of youthful high spirits to much of its music-making that is shown off in performances of such composers as Berlioz and Prokofiev. The LSO has often had internationally-known players as wind soloists, including such artists as James Galway (flute), Gervase de Peyer (clarinet), Roger Lord (oboe), Osian Ellis (harp), John Georgiadis (violin) and Barry Tuckwell (horn). Like most ensembles, the orchestra has a great ability to vary its sound, producing very different tone colours under such diverse conductors as Stokowski (with whom it made a series of memorable recordings), Adrian Boult, Jascha Horenstein, Georg Solti, André Previn, George Szell, Claudio Abbado, Leonard Bernstein, John Barbirolli, and Karl Böhm, who developed a close relationship with the orchestra late in his life. Böhm and Bernstein each held the title of LSO President in their later years.
Clive Gillinson, a former cellist with the orchestra, served as the LSO's Managing Director from 1984 to 2005, and is widely credited with bringing great stability to the LSO's organization after severe fiscal troubles.[1] Since 2005, Kathryn McDowell is the Managing Director of the LSO.[2]
Amazing Journey
London Symphony Orchestra Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
He's in a quiet vibration land.
Strange as it seems, his musical dreams
Ain't quite so bad.
Ten years old with thoughts as bold as thoughts can be.
Loving life and becoming wise
In simplicity.
Sickness will surely take the mind
Where minds can't usually go.
Come on the amazing journey
And learn all you should know.
A vague haze of delirium
Creeps up on me.
All at once a tall stranger I suddenly see.
He's dressed in a silver sparkled
Glittering gown
And his golden beard flows
Nearly down to the ground.
Nothing to say and nothing to hear
And nothing to see.
Each sensation makes a note
In my symphony.
Sickness will surely take the mind
Where minds can't usually go.
Come on the amazing journey
And learn all you should know.
His eyes are the eyes that
Transmit all they know.
Sparkle warm crystalline glances to show
That he is your leader
And he is your guide
On the amazing journey
Together you'll ride.
The London Symphony Orchestra's song "Amazing Journey" is a reflection on personal growth, self-discovery, and the power of music. The lyrics describe a deaf, dumb, and blind boy who lives in a vibrational world of music that is so intense it allows him to explore his deepest thoughts and desires. Although this may seem strange to some, the boy's musical dreams help him to become wise and loving, despite his physical limitations.
The song's chorus encourages listeners to join the "amazing journey" of self-discovery, reminding them that sickness (whether physical or mental) can take the mind to places it cannot usually go. The song's narrator then describes a delirious episode where he sees a tall stranger who is a guide and leader on the journey. The stranger is dressed in a sparkling gown and has a golden beard that nearly reaches the ground. His eyes transmit deep knowledge and wisdom, and he invites the listener to ride with him on the amazing journey.
Overall, "Amazing Journey" is a celebration of the power of music, personal growth, and the journey of self-discovery. It reminds us that even in difficult or challenging circumstances, we can use our creativity and imagination to connect with our own inner wisdom and reach new heights of understanding.
Line by Line Meaning
Deaf, dumb and blind boy
The boy in question has disabilities that prevent him from hearing, speaking, and seeing.
He's in a quiet vibration land.
Despite his disabilities, he is able to experience a unique and personal sense of reality.
Strange as it seems, his musical dreams Aint quite so bad.
The boy's imagination and inner world are vivid and full of vibrant and joyful sounds.
Ten years old with thoughts as bold as thoughts can be.
Despite his young age and disabilities, the boy is full of curiosity, courage, and creativity.
Loving life and becoming wise In simplicity.
The boy finds beauty and wisdom in simple things and experiences.
Sickness will surely take the mind Where minds can't usually go.
Illness and suffering can open up new and strange paths of imagination and perception.
Come on the amazing journey And learn all you should know.
Embrace the unknown and the unexpected in order to broaden your horizons and expand your understanding of the world and yourself.
A vague haze of delirium Creeps up on me.
The boy enters a state of altered consciousness and perception, where reality becomes hazy and distorted.
All at once a tall stranger I suddenly see.
The boy encounters a mysterious and charismatic figure who embodies a sense of wisdom and guidance.
He's dressed in a silver sparkled Glittering gown And his golden beard flows Nearly down to the ground.
The stranger appears as a magical and otherworldly being, whose appearance symbolizes his divine or mythical nature.
Nothing to say and nothing to hear And nothing to see.
In the state of altered consciousness, the boy is cut off from normal sensory channels and experiences a state of emptiness and silence.
Each sensation makes a note In my symphony.
Despite the absence of external stimuli, the boy's inner world continues to generate a rich and complex universe of sounds and emotions.
His eyes are the eyes that Transmit all they know.
The stranger's gaze contains a wealth of knowledge and insights that he shares with the boy.
Sparkle warm crystalline glances to show That he is your leader And he is your guide On the amazing journey Together you'll ride.
The stranger becomes the boy's mentor and companion on his journey of self-discovery and enlightenment, guiding him through the mysteries and wonders of the unknown.
Writer(s): Peter Dennis Blandford Townshend
Contributed by Jordyn Y. Suggest a correction in the comments below.