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]
Moonraker
London Symphony Orchestra Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Where is that moonlight trail that leads to your side?
Just like the Moonraker goes in search of his dream of gold
I search for love, for someone to have and hold
I've seen your smile in a thousand dreams
Felt your touch and it always seems
You love me
Where are you? When will we meet?
Take my unfinished life and make it complete
Just like the Moonraker knows his dream will come true someday
I know that you are only a kiss away
I've seen your smile in a thousand dreams
Felt your touch and it always seems
You love me
You love me
The lyrics to London Symphony Orchestra's Moonraker weave a story of a person searching for love. The lines "Where are you? Why do you hide? / Where is that moonlight trail that leads to your side?" speak of longing and a desire for connection with another person. The comparisons made to the Moonraker searching for gold and the singer searching for love demonstrate the idea of pursuing a dream with persistence and determination. The lyrics also suggest that the object of their affection is not yet apparent in their life.
The lines "Just like the Moonraker knows his dream will come true someday / I know that you are only a kiss away" communicate hope and a belief that their quest for love will ultimately be successful. The repeated phrase "I've seen your smile in a thousand dreams / Felt your touch and it always seems / You love me" suggests that the singer has a strong sense of their future partner's love for them, even if they have not yet met or connected. The closing line "Take my unfinished life and make it complete" shows a willingness to open oneself up fully to the love they seek.
Line by Line Meaning
Where are you? Why do you hide?
I am searching for you, but you seem to be hiding from me, and I don't know why.
Where is that moonlight trail that leads to your side?
I am looking for a way to reach you, and it feels like there should be a magical path leading to you illuminated by the moon.
Just like the Moonraker goes in search of his dream of gold
Just like the legendary adventurer who sought after his golden dream, I too am on a quest, searching for something precious.
I search for love, for someone to have and hold
I am seeking love, someone with whom I can share my life and hold in my arms.
I've seen your smile in a thousand dreams
In my imagination, I have envisioned your joyful smile countless times.
Felt your touch and it always seems
In my mind, I have felt your caress, and it always feels real.
You love me
In my heart of hearts, I believe that you love me.
Where are you? When will we meet?
I am yearning to finally meet you in person, to be together in the same place and the same time.
Take my unfinished life and make it complete
I feel like something is missing from my life, and I am hoping that you can be the one to fill that void and make my life whole again.
Just like the Moonraker knows his dream will come true someday
Similarly to the legendary adventurer who believed that his dream would come true one day, I too have hope that my longing will be fulfilled someday.
I know that you are only a kiss away
I have faith that one passionate kiss from you is all it takes to make my lifelong dream a reality.
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: John Barry, Hal David
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind