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]
Russians
London Symphony Orchestra Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Conditioned to respond to all the threats
In the rhetorical speeches of the Soviets.
MIster Krushchev said, "We will bury you."
I don't subscribe to this point of view.
It'd be such an ignorant thing to do
If the Russians love their children too.
How can I save my little boy from Oppenheimer's deadly toy?
On either side of the political fence.
We share the same biology, regardless of ideology.
Believe me when I say to you,
I hope the Russians love their children too
There is no historical precedent
To put the words in the mouth of the president?
There's no such thing as a winnable war,
It's a lie we don't believe anymore.
Mister Reagan says, "We will protect you."
I don't subscribe to this point of view.
Believe me when I say to you,
I hope the Russians love their children too
We share the same biology, regardless of ideology.
But what might save us, me and you,
Is if the Russians love their children too
The London Symphony Orchestra’s song “Russians” is a poignant commentary on the political tensions between the Soviet Union and the Western world during the Cold War. The lyrics reflect a growing sense of panic and hysteria among Western nations, who have been conditioned to view the Soviet Union as a grave threat to their security. The rhetorical speeches of Soviet leaders like Krushchev only serve to fan the flames of fear.
The song’s narrator, however, rejects this kind of alarmist thinking. He refuses to subscribe to the point of view that the Soviets are an inherently aggressive and dangerous nation. He believes that it is ignorant to assume that they would ever want to launch a nuclear attack, since they too have children who would be affected by such an event. The overarching message of the song is a call for peace and understanding, for people to recognize that all humans share a common biology and that there is no real dividing line between us.
Line by Line Meaning
In Europe and America there's a growing feeling of hysteria.
There's a rising sense of panic among civilians in Europe and America.
Conditioned to respond to all the threats
In the rhetorical speeches of the Soviets.
People have been trained to react to any perceived danger as a result of the exaggerated language used by the Soviets.
Mister Krushchev said, "We will bury you."
I don't subscribe to this point of view.
It'd be such an ignorant thing to do
If the Russians love their children too.
Although Krushchev made a threatening statement, I don't think they would really attack because they also value their children's lives.
How can I save my little boy from Oppenheimer's deadly toy?
As a parent, I must protect my child from the dangers of nuclear war.
There is no monopoly on common sense
On either side of the political fence.
Both sides of the political spectrum are capable of reasonable decision-making.
Believe me when I say to you,
I hope the Russians love their children too
I sincerely hope that the Soviet Union values their citizens' lives and won't engage in nuclear conflict.
There is no historical precedent
To put the words in the mouth of the president?
Has any previous president made similar claims to Reagan about protecting civilians?
There's no such thing as a winnable war,
It's a lie we don't believe anymore.
We no longer believe that war can ever truly be won by either side.
Believe me when I say to you,
I hope the Russians love their children too
Again, I hope the Soviet Union values their citizens' lives and won't engage in nuclear conflict.
We share the same biology, regardless of ideology.
Both sides are made up of human beings who are fundamentally the same.
But what might save us, me and you,
Is if the Russians love their children too
The only way to avoid nuclear war is if both sides prioritize the safety and wellbeing of their citizens.
Lyrics © CONCORD MUSIC PUBLISHING LLC
Written by: Serge Prokofieff, Gordon Sumner
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind