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]
Music of the Night
London Symphony Orchestra Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Darkness stirs and wakes imagination
Silently the senses abandon their defenses
Slowly, gently night unfurls its splendor
Grasp it, sense it tremulous and tender
Turn your face away from the garish light of day
Turn your thoughts away from cold, unfeeling light
Close your eyes and surrender to your darkest dreams
Purge your thoughts of the life you knew before
Close your eyes, let your spirit start to soar
And you'll live as you've never lived before
Softly, deftly music shall caress you
Hear it, feel it secretly possess you
Open up your mind, let your fantasies unwind
In this darkness that you know you cannot fight
The darkness of the music of the night
Let your mind start a journey through a strange new world
Leave all thoughts of the life you knew before
Let your soul take you where you long to be
Only then can you belong to me
Floating, falling sweet intoxication
Touch me, trust me, savor each sensation
Let the dream begin, let your darker side give in
To the power of the music that I write
The power of the music of the night
You alone can make my song take flight
Help me make the music of the night
“Music of the Night” is a beautiful, seductive song from the musical “The Phantom of the Opera”. The song captures the essence of the Phantom, the mysterious and enigmatic figure that seduces and torments Christine, the female lead.
The first verse of the song sets the tone of the night, and how darkness can awaken imagination and the senses. The second verse encourages the listener to turn away from the “garish light of day” and let the music of the night take over their thoughts and feelings. The chorus of the song is the most famous and sets the mood of the Phantom’s intentions, inviting the listener to “close your eyes and surrender to your darkest dreams” and let their spirit soar.
The third verse adds a sense of urgency, encouraging the listener to let their mind journey to a new world and leave all their previous thoughts behind. And finally, the last verse includes a sense of seduction, with the Phantom inviting the listener to trust him, and let their darker side give in to the power of the music that he writes.
Overall, the song is a powerful seduction, with the Phantom trying to convince Christine to choose him and his music. The song also captures the essence of human emotion and pleasure, allowing the listener to let their imagination take over and be swept away by the power of music.
Line by Line Meaning
Night time sharpens, heightens each sensation
The night makes things more vivid and powerful, intensifying the senses.
Darkness stirs and wakes imagination
The darkness of the night prompts imagination and creative thinking.
Silently the senses abandon their defenses
The senses become heightened and more susceptible to the influence of external stimuli in the quiet of the night.
Slowly, gently night unfurls its splendor
The night unveils and displays its beauty cautiously and softly.
Grasp it, sense it tremulous and tender
Embrace the fragility and delicateness of the stillness of the night.
Turn your face away from the garish light of day
Do not be distracted by the harsh brightness of daylight.
Turn your thoughts away from cold, unfeeling light
Do not fixate on the rational and logical mindset of the daytime.
And listen to the music of the night
Be attentive to the sounds and sensations of the night, and immerse yourself in them.
Close your eyes and surrender to your darkest dreams
Let go of inhibitions and embrace the hidden desires of the subconscious mind.
Purge your thoughts of the life you knew before
Forget about the past and focus on the present moment.
Close your eyes, let your spirit start to soar
Relax and allow your mind to wander freely and creatively.
And you'll live as you've never lived before
You will experience life in a new and profound way, previously unimaginable.
Softly, deftly music shall caress you
The music will gently and skillfully envelop and embrace you.
Hear it, feel it secretly possess you
The music will touch you deeply and pervasively, drawing you in and captivating you.
Open up your mind, let your fantasies unwind
Allow yourself to think freely and escape into your own world of imagination.
In this darkness that you know you cannot fight
Face the reality that some things cannot be overcome, especially in the mysteries of the night.
The darkness of the music of the night
The captivating and inscrutable qualities of the night's music.
Let your mind start a journey through a strange new world
Allow your thoughts to explore and discover new, uncharted territories.
Leave all thoughts of the life you knew before
Forget about your past and immerse yourself entirely in the present moment.
Let your soul take you where you long to be
Let your innermost desires and yearnings guide you to where you really want to go.
Only then can you belong to me
Through this process of inner self-discovery, you will finally feel that you have found a true sense of belonging.
Floating, falling sweet intoxication
A feeling of being suspended and utterly consumed by the senses and emotions, which is sweetly pleasurable yet somewhat dangerous.
Touch me, trust me, savor each sensation
Allow yourself to fully engage with and experience the emotions and sensations of the moment.
Let the dream begin, let your darker side give in
Release your inhibitions and allow your subconscious dreams and desires to take hold of you.
To the power of the music that I write
To the compelling and commanding influence of the composer's work of art.
The power of the music of the night
The irresistible and almost hypnotic pull of the night's music.
You alone can make my song take flight
You, as the listener and participant, have the power to elevate the music beyond its own inherent qualities.
Help me make the music of the night
Collaborate with me in creating this truly awe-inspiring and unforgettable work of art.
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, Peermusic Publishing
Written by: Andrew Lloyd Webber, Charles Hart, Richard Stilgoe
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind