The LSO was founded in 1904 as an independent, self governing organization,… Read Full Bio ↴The LSO was founded in 1904 as an independent, self governing organization, the first such orchestra in the UK. It played its first concert on 9 June of that year, with Hans Richter conducting. He remained principal conductor until 1911, when Edward Elgar took over for a year, leading six concerts as principal conductor.

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]

Goldfinger
London Symphony Orchestra Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

Goldfinger, he's the man, the man with the Midas touch
A spider's touch
Such a cold finger beckons you to enter his web of sin
But don't go in

Golden words he will pour in your ear
But his lies can't disguise what you fear
For a golden girl knows when he's kissed her

It's the kiss of death from Mister

Goldfinger, pretty girl, beware of this heart of gold
This heart is cold

Golden words he will pour in your ear
But his lies can't disguise what you fear
For a golden girl knows when he's kissed her
It's the kiss of death from Mister

Goldfinger, pretty girl, beware of this heart of gold
This heart is cold
He loves only gold
Only gold
He loves gold
He loves only gold

Only gold
He loves gold!

Overall Meaning

The lyrics to London Symphony Orchestra's "Goldfinger" are based on the villain from the 1964 James Bond film of the same name. The song serves as a warning to any women who might be charmed by the character of Auric Goldfinger, a wealthy gold smuggler who is portrayed as a ruthless and calculating man. The opening lines, "Goldfinger, he's the man, the man with the Midas touch," highlight Goldfinger's obsession with gold, suggesting that his touch turns anything into the valuable substance. The following line, "A spider's touch," suggests that his interactions with people are dangerous and manipulative, like a spider luring its prey into a web.

The second verse continues this warning to potential victims, describing how Goldfinger can speak with a silver tongue but ultimately cannot hide his true intentions. The line, "For a golden girl knows when he's kissed her, it's the kiss of death from Mister," implies that any woman who falls under his charm is doomed. The final verse reiterates the warning to women, suggesting that Goldfinger's heart is made of gold, but it is cold and heartless, as he loves only material wealth.

Overall, the lyrics of "Goldfinger" serve as a cautionary tale, warning against being seduced by the charm of a dangerous man. The song has become an iconic part of the James Bond franchise and is often cited as one of the greatest Bond themes.

Line by Line Meaning

Goldfinger, he's the man, the man with the Midas touch
Goldfinger is a man with a special ability to turn everything he touches into gold

A spider's touch
His touch is like a spider's, sly and deceptive

Such a cold finger beckons you to enter his web of sin
Goldfinger's touch seems inviting, but it is actually leading you into a dangerous trap

But don't go in
Be cautious of his advances

Golden words he will pour in your ear
Goldfinger will flatter and charm you with his fancy words

But his lies can't disguise what you fear
Despite his pretty words, his true motives are frightening

For a golden girl knows when he's kissed her
Women who are drawn to gold can sense when Goldfinger touches them

It's the kiss of death from Mister
Goldfinger's touch is deadly for those who love him for his gold

Goldfinger, pretty girl, beware of this heart of gold
Women who are in love with gold must beware of Goldfinger's deceitful nature

This heart is cold
Goldfinger is incapable of love or compassion

He loves only gold
Goldfinger's true love is wealth and riches