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]
Sleigh Ride
London Symphony Orchestra Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Come on, it's lovely weather for a sleigh ride together with you.
Outside the snow is falling and friends are calling "Yoo hoo"
Come on, it's lovely weather for a sleigh ride together with you.
Giddy yap, giddy yap, giddy yap, let's go,
Let's look at the show.
Giddy yap, giddy yap, giddy yap, it's grand
Just holding your hand.
We're gliding along with a song of a wintery fairy land.
Our cheeks are nice and rosy and comfy cozy are we,
We're snuggled up together like two birds of a feather would be.
Let's take that road before us and sing a chorus or two
Come on it's lovely weather for a sleigh ride together with you.
The lyrics to "Sleigh Ride," famously performed by the likes of Bing Crosby and Johnny Mathis, celebrate the joy of a winter sleigh ride with a loved one. The excitement and anticipation of the ride are evident in the opening lines, with the sleigh bells ringing and jingling as the pair sets off together. The singer encourages their companion to join them, as the snow falls around them and their friends call out to them.
The chorus is full of energy, urging the horses on with "giddy yap" and taking in the beauty of the winter landscape around them. The singer emphasizes the pleasure of their shared journey, holding hands and feeling cozy as they glide along. They suggest singing together, creating a dreamy, idyllic winter scene.
Line by Line Meaning
Just hear those sleigh bells jingle-ing, ring-ting tingle-ing, too,
Listen to the joyful sound of the jingling sleigh bells that are ringing and tingling.
Come on, it's lovely weather for a sleigh ride together with you.
The weather is perfect for a sleigh ride with your loved one. Let's go!
Outside the snow is falling and friends are calling "Yoo hoo"
The snow is falling outside, and our friends are calling for us to join them.
Giddy yap, giddy yap, giddy yap, let's go,
Let's pick up the pace and keep moving forward with excitement.
Let's look at the show.
Let's take in the beautiful sights and sounds of our surroundings.
We're riding in a wonderland of snow.
We are experiencing the magical feeling of riding through a wintry wonderland.
Giddy yap, giddy yap, giddy yap, it's grand
We are filled with excitement and happiness, and it feels magnificent.
Just holding your hand.
Being close to you and holding your hand is all I need to feel content and blissful.
We're gliding along with a song of a wintery fairy land.
As we glide through the snow, it feels like we are living in a magical and enchanting winter fairy tale.
Our cheeks are nice and rosy and comfy cozy are we,
Our cheeks are flushing from the cold, but we are comfortable, warm and cozy together.
We're snuggled up together like two birds of a feather would be.
Just like birds of a feather cuddle close, we are snuggled up, enjoying each other's company.
Let's take that road before us and sing a chorus or two
Let's continue down this path before us and sing a song or two together.
Come on it's lovely weather for a sleigh ride together with you.
Overall, the weather is perfect for a sleigh ride with you, my love. Let's enjoy the day together.
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Songtrust Ave, Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.
Written by: Leroy Anderson, Mitchell Parish
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Johnny Gainor
This is my favorite version of the song as performed by the London Symphony Orchestra - have had the cassette and LP for many years - wish they would re-release it on CD!
Woodbury Music Company LLC
"Sleigh Ride" by Leroy Anderson, Copyright Woodbury Music Company LLC (ASCAP)
H-Aden
Well good but every body nows it
H-Aden
Comment if your watching in 2021
Jocelyn Austin
2022!