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]
Barcarolle
London Symphony Orchestra Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Fall gently o'er the waters,
Heav'n around below, above,
No more we'll heed the shore!
Floating thus in silver light,
Sing on! Oh earth's fair daughters
Love had ne'er an hour so bright,
In fabled days of yore.
To the measure we sing,
Till even charmed Time,
Fold a moment his wing.
Wander on!
Till the dawn! Ah!
Night of stars, and night of love,
Fall gently o'er the waters,
Heave'n around below, above,
No more we'll heed the shore.
Night of stars and of love,
Ah! Gently fall o'er the waters
Heave'n around below, above!
Ah! Ah!
The lyrics of London Symphony Orchestra's song "Barcarolle" depict a serene and enchanting night on the waters. The song sets the scene of a beautiful night filled with stars and love, where the singer and their companions find themselves floating on the water, untouched by the cares of the shore. The imagery evokes a sense of tranquility, as the moonlight reflects softly on the water's surface.
The enchanting atmosphere is further emphasized as the earth's fair daughters, likely referring to the feminine spirits of nature or even the singers themselves, sing in harmony, creating a mesmerizing experience. The lyrics suggest that this moment of love and joy is unparalleled even by the romantic tales of ancient times.
The song's refrain repeats the night of stars and night of love, emphasizing the mystical qualities of the scene. The mention of heaven both below and above suggests that this experience transcends ordinary reality, transporting the listener to a realm where worldly concerns cease to matter.
In summary, "Barcarolle" describes a magical night on the water, enveloped in stars and love, where the beauty and tranquility of the surroundings transport the participants to a realm of enchantment, momentarily escaping the shores and concerns of everyday life.
Line by Line Meaning
Night of stars, and night of love,
A beautiful night filled with stars and love.
Fall gently o'er the waters,
Let the night softly cover the waters.
Heav'n around below, above,
Heaven surrounds us from all sides.
No more we'll heed the shore!
We will pay no attention to the shore anymore.
Floating thus in silver light,
Gracefully floating in the shimmering moonlight.
Sing on! Oh earth's fair daughters
Continue singing, beautiful women of the earth.
Love had ne'er an hour so bright,
Love has never experienced such a bright moment.
In fabled days of yore.
In the legendary past.
The cadenc'd oar will rhyme
The rhythmic rowing will create a harmonious melody.
To the measure we sing,
Matching the rhythm of our song.
Till even charmed Time,
Until even time itself is enchanted.
Fold a moment his wing.
Pause for a moment.
Wander on!
Continue wandering.
Till the dawn! Ah!
Until the break of dawn, ah!
Night of stars, and night of love,
A night filled with stars and love.
Fall gently o'er the waters,
Let the night softly cover the waters.
Heave'n around below, above,
Heaven surrounds us from all sides.
No more we'll heed the shore.
We will pay no attention to the shore anymore.
Night of stars and of love,
A night filled with stars and love.
Ah! Gently fall o'er the waters
Ah! Let it softly fall over the waters.
Heave'n around below, above!
Heaven surrounds us from all sides, below and above!
Ah! Ah!
Ah! Ah!
Lyrics © MUSIC SALES CORPORATION, Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: SIMON FRANGLEN, JACQUES AUGUSTE IGNACE OFFENBACH, GIANCARLO TESTONI
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind