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]
Fernando
London Symphony Orchestra Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I remember long ago another starry night like this
In the firelight Fernando
You were humming to yourself and softly strumming your guitar
I could hear the distant drums
And sounds of bugle calls were coming from afar
They were closer now Fernando
I was so afraid Fernando
We were young and full of life and none of us prepared to die
And I'm not ashamed to say
The roar of guns and cannons almost made me cry
There was something in the air that night
The stars were bright, Fernando
They were shining there for you and me
For liberty, Fernando
Though I never thought that we could lose
There's no regret
If I had to do the same again
I would, my friend, Fernando
If I had to do the same again
I would, my friend, Fernando
Now we're old and grey Fernando
And since many years I haven't seen a rifle in your hand
Can you hear the drums Fernando?
Do you still recall the frightful night we crossed the Rio Grande?
I can see it in your eyes
How proud you were to fight for freedom in this land
(Repeat x2)
There was something in the air that night
The stars were bright, Fernando
They were shining there for you and me
For liberty, Fernando
Though I never thought that we could lose
There's no regret
If I had to do the same again
I would, my friend, Fernando
Yes, if I had to do the same again
I would, my friend, Fernando...
The song "Fernando" by the London Symphony Orchestra is a poignant and nostalgic reflection on a past experience that impacted the singer, Fernando. The lyrics transport the listener to a starry night, where Fernando is playing his guitar and the distant sound of drums and bugle calls fills the air. The singer recalls feeling a sense of fear and apprehension during this time, as they were young and unprepared for the possibility of death. The intensity of the situation is highlighted by the overwhelming sound of guns and cannons, which almost brings the singer to tears.
There was something significant in the air that night, as the stars shone brightly, symbolizing hope and freedom. The singer expresses their belief that victory was assured, and they never considered the possibility of defeat. Despite the challenges faced, there is no regret in their actions, and given the same circumstances, they would choose to endure it all again alongside their friend, Fernando.
As the song progresses, the scene shifts to the present, where the singer and Fernando are old and gray. The absence of a rifle in Fernando's hand suggests that the tumultuous events of the past are long behind them. However, the repeated question, "Can you hear the drums, Fernando?" serves as a reminder of the experiences they shared, crossing the Rio Grande in search of freedom. The singer recognizes the pride in Fernando's eyes from fighting for their land's liberty.
Line by Line Meaning
Can you hear the drums Fernando?
Are you aware of the intense and powerful emotions that surround us, Fernando?
I remember long ago another starry night like this
I have vivid memories of a distant night filled with stars, just like tonight
In the firelight Fernando
In the warm and flickering glow of the fire, Fernando
You were humming to yourself and softly strumming your guitar
You were lost in your own world, singing and gently playing your guitar
I could hear the distant drums
I could hear the echoes of distant drums in the distance
And sounds of bugle calls were coming from afar
And the echoes of bugle calls were reaching us from a far-off place
They were closer now Fernando
They were drawing near to us, Fernando
Every hour every minute seemed to last eternally
Each passing hour and minute felt like it would never end
I was so afraid Fernando
I was filled with fear, Fernando
We were young and full of life and none of us prepared to die
We were youthful and full of energy, not ready to face the possibility of death
And I'm not ashamed to say
And I can confidently admit
The roar of guns and cannons almost made me cry
The thunderous sounds of gunfire and cannons almost brought me to tears
There was something in the air that night
There was a certain feeling or energy in the atmosphere that night
The stars were bright, Fernando
The stars were shining brightly, Fernando
They were shining there for you and me
They were sparkling in the sky for both of us
For liberty, Fernando
Symbolizing the idea of freedom, Fernando
Though I never thought that we could lose
Even though I never considered the possibility of defeat
There's no regret
I feel no remorse or sorrow
If I had to do the same again
If I had to relive those experiences
I would, my friend, Fernando
I would willingly do so, my friend, Fernando
Now we're old and grey Fernando
Now we have aged and our hair has turned gray, Fernando
And since many years I haven't seen a rifle in your hand
And for many years, I haven't seen you holding a rifle
Do you still recall the frightful night we crossed the Rio Grande?
Do you still remember the night filled with fear when we crossed the Rio Grande?
I can see it in your eyes
I can perceive it in your eyes
How proud you were to fight for freedom in this land
How deeply proud you were to combat for freedom in this country
Yes, if I had to do the same again
Indeed, if I were given the opportunity to relive those moments
I would, my friend, Fernando...
I would willingly do so, my friend, Fernando...
(Repeat x2)
Repeat the previous lines twice
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: Stig Erik Leopold Anderson, Benny Goran Bror Andersson, Bjoern K Ulvaeus
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Anjali Rajadhyaksha
One of the superhits of ABBA and my favorite song . Thank you for sharing.
felixbautista
You're so welcome.
Pat Hutson
Definitely not "sappy" I love it.❤️the video is stunning. Was I seeing the wight Cliffs of Dover at one point? Deepest thank you for sending this my way. 🕊❤️☘️☘️☘️
felixbautista
Thank you so much for being the earliest to come and listen to me.. I really appreciate it.... I don't know why the word "sappy" breaks me up.... but I like it