London Symphony Orchestra

The London Symphony Orchestra (LSO) was founded in 1904 as England’s first self-governing orchestra and soon earned an outstanding reputation around the world. During the past several decades, André Previn (1968-79), Claudio Abbado (1979-88), Michael Tilson Thomas (1988-95), Sir Colin Davis (1995-2007), and Valery Gergiev (2007-15) have helmed the orchestra. Sir Simon Rattle has been Music Director since 2017; in 2024, Sir Antonio Pappano will take on that position. Gianandrea Noseda and François-Xavier Roth serve as Principal Guest Conductors, and Michael Tilson Thomas is Conductor Laureate. The London Symphony Orchestra presents more than 70 concerts annually at the Barbican Centre, which has been its permanent home since 1982. Residencies regularly take it to the Festival d’Aix-en-Provence and to the Music Academy of the West in Santa Barbara, California. As part of the series titled “LSO Discovery” at St. Luke’s Church, the orchestra places special emphasis on innovative and broad-based programming for audiences of all ages and educational levels. Activities include family concerts, school projects, a collaboration with the Guildhall School of Music and Drama, and “Discovery Days.” The orchestra operates its own CD label, “LSO Live,” which has released more than 150 recordings to date; its streaming services reach millions of music fans worldwide. The London Symphony Orchestra is supported by the Corporation of the City of London, Arts Council England, and numerous private patrons and sponsors.

Lucerne Festival (IMF) debut on 3. September 1982, with Claudio Abbado conducting Elgar’s Cello Concerto and Berlioz’s Symphonie fantastique.

August 2022