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]
O Christmas Tree
London Symphony Orchestra Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Such pleasure do you bring me
Oh Christmas tree, oh Christmas tree
Such pleasure do you bring me
Every year this Christmas tree
Brings to us both joy and glee
Oh Christmas tree, oh Christmas tree
Oh Christmas tree, oh Christmas tree
Thy candles shine so brightly
Oh Christmas tree, oh Christmas tree
Thy candles shine so brightly
Each bough does hold its tiny light
That makes each toy to sparkle bright
Oh Christmas tree, oh Christmas tree
Thy candles shine so brightly
The lyrics of the London Symphony Orchestra's O Christmas Tree song celebrates the joy and pleasure that the Christmas tree brings during the holiday season. The song demonstrates the joy that Christmas brings and how it illuminates the festive mood of people with the glistening lights, a characteristic shared by Christmas trees. The lines, "Oh Christmas tree, oh Christmas tree. Such pleasure do you bring me. Every year this Christmas tree. Brings to us both joy and glee," showcase the happiness that people experience when the beautifully adorned tree is placed in their homes.
The song moves on to praise the candles that adorn the Christmas tree, "Oh Christmas tree, oh Christmas tree. Thy candles shine so brightly. Each bough does hold its tiny light. That makes each toy sparkle bright." These lines express how the tiny lights uplift the spirits of people, and the toys below it show how any ordinary thing also brightens up in its presence. The song is a homage to the magic the Christmas tree produces, and how it brightens up the lives of everyone in its surroundings.
Line by Line Meaning
Oh Christmas tree, oh Christmas tree
Greetings to the evergreen symbol of Christmas
Such pleasure do you bring me
The song expresses joyous pleasure towards the Christmas tree
Every year this Christmas tree
The recurring presence of the tree every year
Brings to us both joy and glee
The tree brings happiness to people during the festive season
Thy candles shine so brightly
The candles on the tree have a radiant glow
Each bough does hold its tiny light
Each branch has its own light
That makes each toy to sparkle bright
The lights on the tree light up the nearby toys
Oh Christmas tree, oh Christmas tree
The song repeats gratitude towards the Christmas tree
Thy candles shine so brightly
The candles on the tree have a radiant glow
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: Bruce L Fowler, PD Traditional
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Shaun
September but sure