The RPO was founded in 1946 by Thomas Beecham and played its first concert in Croydon on September 15, 1946. Beecham was principal conductor until his death in 1961. He was followed by then assistant conductor Rudolf Kempe, who was given the title of Conductor for Life in 1970. Subsequent musical directors and principal conductors have been Antal Doráti (1975-78), Walter Weller (1980-85), André Previn (1985-92), Vladimir Ashkenazy (1987-94). Yuri Temirkanov was appointed principal conductor in 1992, and Daniele Gatti music director in 1996.
The orchestra toured the United States in 1950, thus becoming the first British orchestra to visit America since the London Symphony Orchestra in 1912.
As well as performing works from the classical repertoire, the RPO has recorded a number of film scores, including those for Michael Powell and Emeric Pressburger's The Red Shoes.
Associated with the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra is the Royal Philharmonic Concert Orchestra, which is devoted to playing lighter classics. It was formed in 1987.
They had a single in the summer of 1981 called Hooked On Classics and also another single which was the BBC Grandstand Theme in 1982.
Eleanor Rigby
The Royal Philharmonic Orchestra Lyrics
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Ah look at all the lonely people
Eleanor Rigby, picks up the rice
In the church where a wedding has been
Lives in a dream
Waits at the window, wearing the face
That she keeps in a jar by the door
All the lonely people
Where do they all come from?
All the lonely people
Where do they all belong?
Father McKenzie, writing the words
Of a sermon that no one will hear
No one comes near
Look at him working, darning his socks
In the night when there's nobody there
What does he care
All the lonely people
Where do they all come from?
All the lonely people
Where do they all belong?
Ah look at all the lonely people
Ah look at all the lonely people
Eleanor Rigby, died in the church
And was buried along with her name
Nobody came
Father McKenzie, wiping the dirt
From his hands as he walks from the grave
No one was saved
All the lonely people
Where do they all come from?
All the lonely people
Where do they all belong?
The Royal Philharmonic Orchestra's song Eleanor Rigby is arguably one of the most poignant and thought-provoking songs in the history of music. The lyrics tell a compelling story of two individuals - Eleanor Rigby and Father McKenzie - who are both struggling with their own loneliness and isolation, despite the fact that they live in the same community. The opening lines "Ah look at all the lonely people" sets the stage for the rest of the song, emphasizing the theme of loneliness and the human need for connection and companionship.
The first verse describes Eleanor Rigby, who is a caretaker at a church and picks up rice after a wedding ceremony. She is depicted as living in a dream, waiting at the window and wearing a false face that she keeps in a jar. The lyrics seem to suggest that Eleanor is living a life of quiet desperation, possibly due to a lack of close relationships or a sense of purpose. The second verse introduces Father McKenzie, who is writing a sermon that nobody will hear. He is also alone and isolated, with no one coming near to offer him support or companionship. The chorus repeats the question "where do they all come from?" which seems to suggest that the loneliness and isolation experienced by Eleanor and Father McKenzie are common experiences felt by many.
The final verse reveals that Eleanor Rigby has died and was buried in the church. Nobody came to her funeral, and the same fate befalls Father McKenzie as he walks away from her grave, wiping the dirt from his hands. The song ends with a haunting repetition of the chorus, emphasizing the idea that loneliness is a pervasive problem in society, one that remains unresolved despite our best efforts.
Line by Line Meaning
Ah look at all the lonely people
The opening lines of the song express the sadness of witnessing people who are lonely and forgotten in society.
Eleanor Rigby, picks up the rice
Eleanor Rigby is a woman who is responsible for cleaning up after a wedding ceremony. She's doing a menial task that keeps her occupied and focused on the church.
In the church where a wedding has been
The church is a symbol of happiness and hope. Weddings represent new beginnings, which is the opposite of loneliness.
Lives in a dream
Eleanor Rigby is lonely and needs to find something to occupy her time, so she lives in a dream world where everything is perfect.
Waits at the window, wearing the face
Eleanor Rigby puts on a brave face for visitors who may come to see her standing at the window, hoping someone will notice her.
That she keeps in a jar by the door
The face that Eleanor Rigby wears is a mask that she keeps in a jar near the door. It is a metaphor for how she presents herself to others.
Who is it for
Eleanor Rigby questions who the mask she wears is for. She puts on a persona for nobody, only to make up for a lack of social interaction.
Father McKenzie, writing the words
Father McKenzie is a priest who is working hard to prepare for a sermon. He is busy performing his duties, but lacking a connection to the community around him.
Of a sermon that no one will hear
Father McKenzie is putting effort into delivering a sermon, but he's aware no one will listen. He struggles to connect with others and feel like he is making an impact at his church.
No one comes near
Father McKenzie feels isolated and forgotten by his community. He is keenly aware of his loneliness and the lack of interaction with anyone else.
Look at him working, darning his socks
Father McKenzie is performing mundane tasks in order to pass the time. He is trying to stay busy while ignoring his own feelings of loneliness.
In the night when there's nobody there
Father McKenzie is working when there is no one else around. This highlights his isolation and his lack of social interaction.
What does he care
Father McKenzie struggles with the same question as Eleanor Rigby. If nobody is around to notice him, does he exist? Does his work matter, and does anyone care about his worries or loneliness?
Eleanor Rigby, died in the church
Eleanor Rigby's sadness ultimately led to her untimely death. She spent her life overlooked and forgotten, with no sense of purpose or belonging.
And was buried along with her name
Even in death, Eleanor Rigby was alone. She was buried alone with nothing more than her name to remember her by.
Nobody came
Eleanor Rigby's funeral was empty, as she had no family or friends to come to mourn her passing. This highlights the sad reality of loneliness and isolation.
Father McKenzie, wiping the dirt
Father McKenzie was the only one who showed up to Eleanor Rigby's funeral. Despite feeling disconnected and isolated himself, he took the time to mourn and honor someone who was also forgotten.
From his hands as he walks from the grave
Father McKenzie is left to walk away from the burial site, carrying with him his own sadness and loneliness, even as he tries to connect with others.
No one was saved
In the end, nobody was saved from loneliness and isolation. Despite the efforts of Father McKenzie to connect with others, he and Eleanor Rigby were ultimately alone and forgotten, just like so many others in society.
All the lonely people
This phrase is repeated throughout the song to highlight the collective struggle of people who feel lonely and isolated, despite their attempts to connect with others.
Where do they all come from?
This line is a question that highlights the universal nature of loneliness. So many people struggle with feeling alone and disconnected, but it's unclear where these feelings come from, or how to alleviate them.
Where do they all belong?
This line is another question that highlights the struggle of people who feel disconnected from their communities. Despite wanting to feel like they belong, they are left with a sense of displacement and loneliness.
Lyrics © editionPlus Verlags GmbH, Universal Music Publishing Group, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Downtown Music Publishing, Songtrust Ave
Written by: John Lennon, Paul McCartney
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind