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]
I'm Free
London Symphony Orchestra Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
[Chorus:]
I'm free-I'm free,
And freedom tastes of reality,
I'm free-I'm free,
An' I'm waiting for you to follow me.
To reach the highest high,
You'd laugh and say 'nothing's that simple'
But you've been told many times before
Messiahs pointed to the door
And no one had the guts to leave the temple!
[Chorus:]
[Chorus:]
How can we follow?
How can we follow?
The lyrics of the song 'I'm Free' by the London Symphony Orchestra talks about freedom and its taste of reality. The vocalist in the chorus, sung several times throughout the song, emphasizes his freedom and his desire for others to follow him. He is confident, proud, and liberated, willing to initiate others into the concept of true freedom. In the first verse, he talks about how achieving the highest high takes a lot, and people tend to think it is not attainable. However, he argues that many Messiahs have already shown people the way, but no one has been daring enough to leave the temple.
The chorus is very catchy and upbeat, invoking the feeling of liberation and joy. The second verse, which questions how people can follow him in his path towards freedom, contemplates the challenge of convincing others that freedom can be attained. The harmonious music created by the London Symphony Orchestra sets the tone for the song, making it feel grand and empowering. The chorus magnifies the theme of liberation and freedom, inviting people to join in the singer's joyful ride towards a life of liberty and free will.
Line by Line Meaning
Chorus: I'm free-I'm free, And freedom tastes of reality, I'm free-I'm free, An' I'm waiting for you to follow me.
Tommy is proclaiming his freedom and the sense of liberation that comes with it. He encourages his listeners to join him in his newfound freedom.
If I told you what it takes To reach the highest high, You'd laugh and say 'nothing's that simple'
Tommy acknowledges that the path to true freedom and enlightenment is not an easy one, and that most people do not fully understand or appreciate the effort and sacrifice required to achieve it.
But you've been told many times before Messiahs pointed to the door And no one had the guts to leave the temple!
Tommy exhorts his listeners to break free from convention and tradition in order to pursue their own paths to enlightenment. He points out that many spiritual leaders have called on people to leave their comfort zones and explore new frontiers, but few have had the courage to follow through.
Chorus: I'm free-I'm free, And freedom tastes of reality, I'm free-I'm free, An' I'm waiting for you to follow me.
Tommy reaffirms his commitment to his own freedom, asserting that it is a taste of true reality. He continues to invite his listeners to join him on the journey.
Chorus: I'm free-I'm free, And I'm waiting for you to follow me, How can we follow? How can we follow?
Tommy reiterates his call to action, urging his listeners to take the leap into the unknown along with him. He acknowledges that this is a daunting challenge, and queries how they can take the first step.
Lyrics © ABKCO MUSIC INC PETE TOWNSHEND CATALOG , FABULOUS MUSIC LTD , SPIRIT MUSIC GROUP
Written by: PETER TOWNSHEND
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Morrigan Ravenchild
The whole album is magnificent - a true work of musical art!
1tanglung
Brilliant song , Roger sings this fantastic thanks for posting
Jayanth Kumar
How did 29 years of my life go by without me having discovered this?
Ian Swann. Prof. International Voice-over & Actor
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hV69_6YJZ_k
Barrie Williams
This is a true classic
Sharon Hopton
Great song!
colin Loveridge
I had forgotten how amazing that voice was
debra direen
Stunning, I remember this version
supertomcat1000
This has stuck in my mind for years, think i saw it on totps in 73. hard to find. thank you uploader. mint song!
Nicolás Lázaro Kozameh
Thanks The Who for your music !! I like a lot. The band singing this song with the symphony is is very good. i like The Who for ever