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]
conquistador
London Symphony Orchestra Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
And like some angel's haloed brow
You reek of purity
I see your armor plated breast
Has long since lost its sheen
And in your death mask face
There are no signs which can be seen
And though I hoped for something to find
Conquistador a vulture sits, upon your silver sheath
And in your rusty scabbard now, the sand has taken seed
And though your jewel-encrusted blade
Has not been plundered still
The sea has washed across your face
And taken of its fill
And though I hoped for something to find
I could see no maze to unwind
Conquistador there is no time, I must pay my respect
And though I came to jeer at you
I leave now with regret
And as the gloom begins to fall
I see there is no, only all
Though you came with sword held high
You did not conquer, only die
And though I hoped for something to find
I could see no maze to unwind
And though I hoped for something to find
I could see no maze to unwind
In the song "Conquistador" by the London Symphony Orchestra, the lyrics poetically depict an introspective and reflective narrative about a conquistador, a Spanish conqueror during the Age of Exploration. The lyrics illustrate the conqueror's loneliness and longing for companionship, emphasizing his isolation through the mention of his stallion in need of company.
The lyrics continue by describing the conqueror's appearance, comparing it to that of an angel characterized by purity. However, the conqueror's armor, once shining and proud, is now described as dull and faded, symbolizing the passage of time and the conqueror's fading glory. The mention of a death mask suggests a sense of mortality and the conqueror's eventual demise.
As the song progresses, the conquistador's status is further deteriorated. A vulture perches upon his silver sheath, representing the symbol of death and decay. The conqueror's rusty scabbard reveals the passage of time, with sand now taking root within it. The jewel-encrusted blade, a once-valued possession, remains unspoiled, but the sea has washed across the conqueror's face, taking its toll and devaluing his accomplishments.
Despite the conqueror's hopes for something meaningful, depicted by the reference to a maze to unwind, there is nothing to be found. This could symbolize the emptiness the conquistador feels, as his conquests have not provided the fulfillment or purpose he had sought.
The song takes a melancholic turn as the singer shifts their perspective, expressing a change of heart. Though originally intending to jeer and scorn the conqueror, they now leave with regret. The gloom that falls suggests a somber realization of the conquistador's fate, and the lyric "there is no, only all" reflects a profound understanding that regardless of the conquistador's aspirations and actions, in the end, everything is interconnected and has its consequences.
The song concludes with the acknowledgment that despite the conquistador's high-held sword and grand aspirations, he did not truly conquer. The phrase "only die" signifies the futility and ultimate failure of his pursuits. The repetition of "though I hoped for something to find, I could see no maze to unwind" further emphasizes the singer's disappointment, revealing a profound sense of disillusionment.
Overall, "Conquistador" reflects on the struggles, isolation, and ultimate downfall of a conquistador, shedding light on the transitory nature of conquest and the intrinsic human desire for meaning and connection.
Line by Line Meaning
Conquistador your stallion stands in need of company
Your noble horse seeks companionship, symbolizing your own longing for connection and support
And like some angel's haloed brow
You possess a sense of purity and divine presence, similar to an angel's luminous aura
You reek of purity
The essence of purity emanates from you, overpoweringly evident
I see your armor plated breast has long since lost its sheen
Your once shiny armor, serving as protection, has dulled and lost its luster through time
And in your death mask face there are no signs which can be seen
Your expressionless face, resembling a mask of death, reveals no visible signs or emotions
And though I hoped for something to find, I could see no maze to unwind
Despite my desire to unveil a complex path or solution, I am unable to perceive any intricate obstacles or mysteries to unravel
Conquistador a vulture sits, upon your silver sheath
A vulture perches on your silver sword's scabbard, symbolizing death and decay
And in your rusty scabbard now, the sand has taken seed
Within your deteriorated scabbard, sand has accumulated and started to grow, representing the passage of time
And though your jewel-encrusted blade has not been plundered still
Although your adorned sword remains untouched by thieves or looters
The sea has washed across your face and taken of its fill
The sea has washed over your face, eroding it and claiming its own share
Conquistador there is no time, I must pay my respect
Time is running out, urging me to offer my tribute and honor to you
And though I came to jeer at you, I leave now with regret
Initially arriving to mock you, I depart with a sense of remorse and sadness
And as the gloom begins to fall, I see there is no, only all
With darkness descending, I come to realize that everything exists in the absence of light
Though you came with sword held high, you did not conquer, only die
Despite your arrival with a triumphant sword, you did not achieve victory but met your demise
And though I hoped for something to find, I could see no maze to unwind
While longing for a discovery or revelation, I am unable to discern a complex puzzle or enigma to unravel
And though I hoped for something to find, I could see no maze to unwind
Again, despite wishing for a revelation, I cannot identify any intricate challenges or riddles to solve
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Written by: GARY BROOKER, KEITH REID
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@richardfurlott4243
What a fabulous matching of Gary's voice his band , Edmonton Band .It will never be matched !
@arrowjsmith153
One of my favorite songs with a story told. That standing ovation was something special. Gary Brooker, Procol Harum and the Edmonton Symphony Orchestra nailed it solid. God Bless.
@MrManfly
All the musicians in this video were bang on !! 👍🏻🎵🎶🎸
@vladivirs1105
Да, очень круто!👍
@usmc-veteran7316
Never get tired of this. Thanks to the Late Gary Brooker Family.
@northwestprof60
Thank God for these great recordings, Gary and the gang deserve all the immortality this brings. Generations will love this song far, far into the future. . . .
@robertselby7801
I have listened to ConQ a 100 + times. It is my Anthem. The guitar and organ solos are thrilling. Brooker is a treasurer. I am so thankful to a pal who introduced me to PH 2 years ago. I did the same for dozens of my friends. PH and this work will live forever. Selby Scottsdale AZ
@johnfleming6236
RIP
@robertschaller6551
The internet does have its good moments to view this is one for me...
Excellent.....✌
@donnaronio3553
I think I was 11 or 12 years old when I heard this song for the first time. It's one of the songs that has stuck with me. I have always loved how Procol Harum uses symphonies in there productions. RIP Gary. ❤️😥