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]
Angel of Music
London Symphony Orchestra Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Where in the world
Have you been hiding?
Really - you were perfect
I only wish
I knew your secret
Who is this new
Father once spoke of an angel
I used to dream he'd appear
Now as I sing I can sense him
And I know he's here
Here in this room he calls me softly
Somewhere inside, hiding
Somehow I know he's always with me
He, the unseen genius
Christine, Christine you must have been dreaming
Stories like this can't come true
Christine, you're talking in riddles
And it's not like you
Angel of music, guide and guardian
Grant to me your glory
Who is this angel?
This
Angel of music, hide no longer
Secret and strange angel
He's with me even now
Your hands are cold
All around me
Your face, Christine, it's white
It frightens me
Don't be frightened
The song "Angel of Music" by the London Symphony Orchestra is a hauntingly beautiful tune that tells the story of a young singer named Christine who is visited by a mysterious, unseen tutor known only as the Angel of Music. In the song, Christine marvels at the Angel's talent and wonders where he has been hiding, as he guides her through her vocal exercises and coaches her in singing. She is haunted by his presence and feels as though he is always there, just out of sight.
As the song progresses, Christine reveals that her father had also spoken of the Angel of Music and that she used to dream of his arrival. Now, she feels as though he is finally with her and calls upon him to grant her his glory. However, others around her think she is merely speaking in riddles and dismiss her visions. Despite this, Christine knows that the Angel of Music is real and that he is with her, even in moments of fear and uncertainty.
Overall, "Angel of Music" is a powerful and emotional song that explores the idea of music as a guiding force in our lives, and the power of inspiration and talent to change us in profound ways.
Line by Line Meaning
Bravi, bravi, bravissimi!
Amazing, excellent, exceptionally talented!
Where in the world
Have you been hiding?
Where have you been all this time? I have been waiting for someone like you.
Really - you were perfect
I only wish
I knew your secret
You were perfect in your performance, but I wish I knew what makes you stand out from others.
Who is this new
Tutor?
Who is the new person who is helping you develop such amazing skills?
Father once spoke of an angel
I used to dream he'd appear
Now as I sing I can sense him
And I know he's here
My father used to tell me about an angel, and I used to dream about him. Now, when I sing, I can sense his presence, and I know he's here with me.
Here in this room he calls me softly
Somewhere inside, hiding
Somehow I know he's always with me
He, the unseen genius
In this room, I can hear him calling me softly even though he is hidden. But somehow, I know he is always with me. He is the unseen genius who is always guiding me.
Christine, Christine you must have been dreaming
Stories like this can't come true
Christine, you're talking in riddles
And it's not like you
Christine, you must be dreaming. Stories like this do not come true. You are talking in riddles, and it is not like you.
Angel of music, guide and guardian
Grant to me your glory
Oh angel of music, please guide me and be my guardian. Bless me with your glorious presence and help me achieve greatness.
Who is this angel?
This
Who is this person that I feel strongly connected to? Who is this angel who is guiding me?
Angel of music, hide no longer
Secret and strange angel
Angel of music, reveal yourself to me. Do not hide any longer. You are a mysterious and secretive figure.
He's with me even now
I feel his presence with me now.
Your hands are cold
All around me
Your face, Christine, it's white
It frightens me
Don't be frightened
I can feel your cold hands all around me, and your face is so pale that it frightens me. But there's no need to be frightened.
Lyrics © Peermusic Publishing
Written by: Andrew Lloyd Webber, Charles Hart, Richard Stilgoe
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind