Jump to content

London Symphony Chorus: Difference between revisions

Edit links
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Browse history interactively
← Previous edit
Content deleted Content added
VisualWikitext
Kymethra (talk | contribs)
132 edits
Changing logo to the new logo launched in 2015
m →‎External links: duplicate categorization; already in subcat
 
(15 intermediate revisions by 14 users not shown)
Line 1: Line 1:
{{EngvarB|date=June 2018}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=June 2018}}
{{Infobox musical artist <!-- For groups; see Wikipedia:WikiProject_Musicians -->
{{Infobox musical artist <!-- For groups; see Wikipedia:WikiProject_Musicians -->
| name = London Symphony Chorus
| name = London Symphony Chorus
| image = Barbican Hall - geograph.org.uk - 576305.jpg
| image = Barbican Hall - geograph.org.uk - 576305.jpg
| alt =
| alt =
| caption = The LSC and the LSO in the Barbican Concert Hall, 2007
| caption = The LSC and the LSO in the Barbican Concert Hall, 2007
| image_size =
| image_upright = 1.2
| background = classical_ensemble
| background = classical_ensemble
| alias = LSC
| alias = LSC
| origin = London, United Kingdom
| origin = London, United Kingdom
| genre = [[Classical music|Classical]]
| genre = Classical
| years_active = {{Start date|1966}}–present
| years_active = {{Start date|1966}}–present
| label = CBS, Chandos, Decca, Deutsche Grammophon, EMI, Erato, Hallé, Hyperion, LSO Live, Philips, RCA, Virgin
| label = CBS, Chandos, Decca, Deutsche Grammophon, EMI, Erato, Hallé, Hyperion, LSO Live, Philips, RCA, Virgin
| associated_acts = [[London Symphony Orchestra]]
| associated_acts = [[London Symphony Orchestra]]
⚫
| website ={{URL|lsc.org.uk}}
| chorus director = [[Simon Halsey]]
⚫
| website = [http://www.lsc.org.uk www.lsc.org.uk]
| current_members =
| current_members =
| past_members =
| past_members =
Line 19: Line 20:
[[File:London_Symphony_Chorus_logo_2015.jpg|thumb|right|Official logo of the London Symphony Chorus]]
[[File:London_Symphony_Chorus_logo_2015.jpg|thumb|right|Official logo of the London Symphony Chorus]]


The '''London Symphony Chorus''' (abbreviated to LSC) is a large [[symphonic]] concert [[choir]] based in [[London]], [[UK]], consisting of over 150 amateur singers, and is one of the major symphony choruses of the [[United Kingdom]].<ref>{{cite web|title=About the LSC|url=http://www.lsc.org.uk/about}}</ref> It was formed in 1966 as the ''LSO Chorus'' to complement the work of the [[London Symphony Orchestra]] (LSO). The LSC is today an independent self-run organisation governed by a council of nine elected representatives. It continues to maintain a close association with the LSO but also takes part in projects with other orchestras and organisations both in the UK and abroad.<ref name="lsc-about">{{cite web|url=http://www.lsc.org.uk/about|title=About us|year=2009|work=official website|publisher=London Symphony Chorus|accessdate=11 April 2010}}</ref> The LSC performs mainly with the LSO at the [[Barbican Centre]] in London as well as appearing at other concert venues around the UK and Europe and regularly at the [[Avery Fisher Hall]], New York.
The '''London Symphony Chorus''' (abbreviated to LSC) is a large [[symphonic]] concert [[choir]] based in London, UK, consisting of over 150 amateur singers, and is one of the major symphony choruses of the United Kingdom.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://lsc.org.uk/about-us/|title=About us : London Symphony Chorus|website=Lsc.org.uk|accessdate=2020-06-23}}</ref> It was formed in 1966 as the ''LSO Chorus'' to complement the work of the [[London Symphony Orchestra]] (LSO). The LSC is today an independent self-run organisation governed by a council of nine elected representatives. It continues to maintain a close association with the LSO but also takes part in projects with other orchestras and organisations both in the UK and abroad.<ref name="lsc-about">{{cite web|url=http://www.lsc.org.uk/about|title=About us|year=2009|work=official website|publisher=London Symphony Chorus|accessdate=11 April 2010}}</ref> The LSC performs mainly with the LSO at the [[Barbican Centre]] in London as well as appearing at other concert venues around the UK and Europe and regularly at the [[Avery Fisher Hall]], New York.


== Repertoire ==
== Repertoire ==
The Chorus's core repertoire consists of the major nineteenth and twentieth century orchestral choral works.<ref name="lsc-repertoire">{{cite web|url=http://www.lsc.org.uk/about/repertoire|title=Past performances|work=official website|publisher=London Symphony Chorus|accessdate=11 April 2010}}</ref> The Chorus has performed and recorded works such as Elgar's ''[[The Dream of Gerontius]]'', Mahler's [[Symphony No. 2 (Mahler)|Second]], [[Symphony No. 3 (Mahler)|Third]] and [[Symphony No. 8 (Mahler)|Eighth]] Symphonies, Ravel's ''[[Daphnis et Chloé]]'', Dvořák's [[Stabat Mater (Dvořák)|Stabat Mater]], Janáček's ''[[Glagolitic Mass]]'', Britten's ''[[War Requiem]]'', Beethoven's [[Symphony No. 9 (Beethoven)|Ninth Symphony]] and ''[[Missa Solemnis (Beethoven)|Missa Solemnis]]'', Berlioz's ''[[La damnation de Faust]]'' and ''[[Roméo et Juliette (Berlioz)|Roméo et Juliette]]'', Schoenberg's ''[[Gurre-Lieder]]'', Brahms's ''[[A German Requiem (Brahms)|Ein deutsches Requiem]]'', Rossini's [[Stabat Mater (Rossini)|Stabat Mater]], Stravinsky's ''[[Oedipus rex (opera)|Oedipus Rex]]'' & ''[[Symphony of Psalms]]'', Tippett's ''[[A Child of Our Time]]'' and Verdi's [[Requiem (Verdi)|Requiem]].<ref name="lsc.org.uk">{{cite web|title=The London Symphony Chorus - a Discography 1966-2010 compiled by Brian Godfrey|url=http://www.lsc.org.uk/documents/press_and_pr/discography/lscdiscs.pdf|work=The London Symphony Chorus - a Discography 1966-2010 compiled by Brian Godfrey|accessdate=22 August 2012}}</ref>
The Chorus's core repertoire consists of the major nineteenth and twentieth century orchestral choral works.<ref name="lsc-repertoire">{{cite web|url=http://www.lsc.org.uk/about/repertoire|title=Past performances|work=official website|publisher=London Symphony Chorus|accessdate=11 April 2010|url-status=dead|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20150315145807/http://www.lsc.org.uk/about/repertoire|archivedate=15 March 2015}}</ref> The Chorus has performed and recorded works such as Elgar's ''[[The Dream of Gerontius]]'', Mahler's [[Symphony No. 2 (Mahler)|Second]], [[Symphony No. 3 (Mahler)|Third]] and [[Symphony No. 8 (Mahler)|Eighth]] Symphonies, Ravel's ''[[Daphnis et Chloé]]'', Dvořák's [[Stabat Mater (Dvořák)|Stabat Mater]], Janáček's ''[[Glagolitic Mass]]'', Britten's ''[[War Requiem]]'', Beethoven's [[Symphony No. 9 (Beethoven)|Ninth Symphony]] and ''[[Missa Solemnis (Beethoven)|Missa Solemnis]]'', Berlioz's ''[[La damnation de Faust]]'' and ''[[Roméo et Juliette (Berlioz)|Roméo et Juliette]]'', Schoenberg's ''[[Gurre-Lieder]]'', Brahms's ''[[A German Requiem (Brahms)|Ein deutsches Requiem]]'', Rossini's [[Stabat Mater (Rossini)|Stabat Mater]], Stravinsky's ''[[Oedipus rex (opera)|Oedipus Rex]]'' & ''[[Symphony of Psalms]]'', Tippett's ''[[A Child of Our Time]]'' and Verdi's [[Requiem (Verdi)|Requiem]].<ref name="lsc.org.uk">{{cite web|title=The London Symphony Chorus – a Discography 1966–2010 compiled by Brian Godfrey|url=http://www.lsc.org.uk/documents/press_and_pr/discography/lscdiscs.pdf|work=The London Symphony Chorus – a Discography 1966–2010 compiled by Brian Godfrey|accessdate=22 August 2012}}{{dead link|date=January 2018 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}</ref>


The Chorus has also taken part in concert performances and commercial recordings of operas including Beethoven's ''[[Fidelio]]'', Berlioz's ''[[Les Troyens]]'' and ''[[Benvenuto Cellini]]'', Bernstein's ''[[Candide (operetta)|Candide]]'', Britten's ''[[Peter Grimes]]'' and ''[[Billy Budd]]'', Verdi's ''[[Rigoletto (opera)|Rigoletto]]'', ''[[Falstaff (opera)|Falstaff]]'' and ''[[Otello]]'', Wagner's ''[[Götterdämmerung]]'' and Richard Strauss's ''[[Elektra (opera)|Elektra]]''.<ref name="lsc.org.uk"/>
The Chorus has also taken part in concert performances and commercial recordings of operas including Beethoven's ''[[Fidelio]]'', Berlioz's ''[[Les Troyens]]'' and ''[[Benvenuto Cellini]]'', Bernstein's ''[[Candide (operetta)|Candide]]'', Britten's ''[[Peter Grimes]]'' and ''[[Billy Budd (opera)|Billy Budd]]'', Verdi's ''[[Rigoletto (opera)|Rigoletto]]'', ''[[Falstaff (opera)|Falstaff]]'' and ''[[Otello]]'', Wagner's ''[[Götterdämmerung]]'' and Richard Strauss's ''[[Elektra (opera)|Elektra]]''.<ref name="lsc.org.uk"/>


== Notable recordings ==
== Notable recordings ==
The London Symphony Chorus's discography consists of over 140 recordings, and many of these recordings feature collaborations with the London Symphony Orchestra. Since 2000 the LSC has taken part in productions for the orchestra's new CD label, LSO Live which launched in 2000 and specialises in recordings of live performances in front of audiences. Among works recorded by the choir are [[Johannes Brahms|Brahms]]'s ''[[A German Requiem (Brahms)|German Requiem]]'' (LSO, [[André Previn]] 2000); [[Gustav Mahler|Mahler]]'s [[Symphony No. 8 (Mahler)|Symphony No. 8]] (CBSO, [[Simon Rattle]] 2005); [[Requiem (Mozart)|Mozart's Requiem]] (LSO, Sir Colin Davis 2008); [[War Requiem|Britten: War Requiem]] (LSO, Giandrea Noseda 2012); [[Berlioz]]'s [[Grande Messe des Morts]] (LSO, [[Colin Davis]], 2013); and [[Weber]]'s [[Der Freischütz]] (LSO, Sir Colin Davis, 2013).<ref name="lsc-discography">{{cite web|url=http://www.lsc.org.uk/discography|title=Discography|work=official website|publisher=London Symphony Chorus|accessdate=11 April 2010}}</ref> Notable solo artists who have featured on LSC releases include [[Ian Bostridge]], [[Simon Keenleyside]],<ref>{{cite web|title=Britten: War Requiem|url=http://www.lsc.org.uk/discography/30|work=London Symphony Chorus official website|accessdate=8 September 2013}}</ref> [[Felicity Palmer]] and [[Anne Sofie von Otter]].
The London Symphony Chorus's discography consists of over 140 recordings, and many of these recordings feature collaborations with the London Symphony Orchestra. Since 2000 the LSC has taken part in productions for the orchestra's new CD label, LSO Live which launched in 2000 and specialises in recordings of live performances in front of audiences. Among works recorded by the choir are [[Johannes Brahms|Brahms]]'s ''[[A German Requiem (Brahms)|German Requiem]]'' (LSO, [[André Previn]] 2000); [[Gustav Mahler|Mahler]]'s [[Symphony No. 8 (Mahler)|Symphony No. 8]] (CBSO, [[Simon Rattle]] 2005); [[Requiem (Mozart)|Mozart's Requiem]] (LSO, Sir Colin Davis 2008); [[War Requiem|Britten: War Requiem]] (LSO, Giandrea Noseda 2012); [[Berlioz]]'s [[Requiem (Berlioz)|Requiem]] (LSO, [[Colin Davis]], 2013); and [[Carl Maria von Weber|Weber]]'s ''[[Der Freischütz]]'' (LSO, Sir Colin Davis, 2013).<ref name="lsc-discography">{{cite web|url=http://www.lsc.org.uk/discography|title=Discography|work=official website|publisher=London Symphony Chorus|accessdate=11 April 2010|url-status=dead|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20080719164549/http://www.lsc.org.uk/discography/|archivedate=19 July 2008}}</ref> Notable solo artists who have featured on LSC releases include [[Ian Bostridge]], [[Simon Keenleyside]],<ref>{{cite web|title=Britten: War Requiem|url=http://www.lsc.org.uk/discography/30|work=London Symphony Chorus official website|accessdate=8 September 2013|url-status=dead|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20130921061143/http://www.lsc.org.uk/discography/30|archivedate=21 September 2013}}</ref> [[Felicity Palmer]] and [[Anne Sofie von Otter]].


A number of LSC recordings have received awards including the following:
A number of LSC recordings have received awards including the following:
Line 55: Line 56:
| LSO, [[Richard Hickox]] (conductor)
| LSO, [[Richard Hickox]] (conductor)
| Chandos Records
| Chandos Records
| [[39th Grammy Awards|Grammy Award]] Best Opera Recording<ref>{{cite web|title=Discography: Britten: Peter Grimes (LSO, Sir Colin Davis)|url=http://www.lsc.org.uk/discography/11|work=LSC website|accessdate=26 May 2012}}</ref>
| [[39th Grammy Awards|Grammy Award]] Best Opera Recording<ref>{{cite web|title=Discography: Britten: Peter Grimes (LSO, Sir Colin Davis)|url=http://www.lsc.org.uk/discography/11|work=LSC website|accessdate=26 May 2012|url-status=dead|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20130921103930/http://www.lsc.org.uk/discography/11|archivedate=21 September 2013}}</ref>
|-
|-
| 2000
| 2000
Line 61: Line 62:
| LSO, [[Colin Davis]] (conductor)
| LSO, [[Colin Davis]] (conductor)
| LSO Live
| LSO Live
| [[44th Grammy Awards|Grammy Award]] Best Opera Recording, Best Classical Album<ref>{{cite web|title=Discography: Berlioz: Les Troyens (LSO, Sir Colin Davis)|url=http://www.lsc.org.uk/discography/9|work=LSC website|accessdate=26 May 2012}}</ref>
| [[44th Grammy Awards|Grammy Award]] Best Opera Recording, Best Classical Album<ref>{{cite web|title=Discography: Berlioz: Les Troyens (LSO, Sir Colin Davis)|url=http://www.lsc.org.uk/discography/9|work=LSC website|accessdate=26 May 2012|url-status=dead|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20130922103153/http://www.lsc.org.uk/discography/9|archivedate=22 September 2013}}</ref>
|-
|-
| 2004
| 2004
Line 67: Line 68:
| LSO, [[Colin Davis]] (conductor)
| LSO, [[Colin Davis]] (conductor)
| LSO Live
| LSO Live
| [[48th Grammy Awards|Grammy Award]] Best Opera Recording<ref>{{cite web|title=Discography: Verdi: Falstaff (LSO, Sir Colin Davis)|url=http://www.lsc.org.uk/discography/12|work=LSC website|accessdate=26 May 2012}}</ref>
| [[48th Grammy Awards|Grammy Award]] Best Opera Recording<ref>{{cite web|title=Discography: Verdi: Falstaff (LSO, Sir Colin Davis)|url=http://www.lsc.org.uk/discography/12|archive-url=https://archive.today/20120907060610/http://www.lsc.org.uk/discography/12|url-status=dead|archive-date=7 September 2012|work=LSC website|accessdate=26 May 2012}}</ref>
|-
|-
| 2007
| 2007
Line 73: Line 74:
| LSO, [[Daniel Harding]] (conductor)
| LSO, [[Daniel Harding]] (conductor)
| Virgin Classics
| Virgin Classics
| [[52nd Grammy Awards|Grammy Award]] Best Opera Recording<ref>{{cite web|title=Discography: Britten: Billy Budd (LSO, Daniel Harding)|url=http://www.lsc.org.uk/discography/27|work=LSC website|accessdate=26 May 2012}}</ref>
| [[52nd Grammy Awards|Grammy Award]] Best Opera Recording<ref>{{cite web|title=Discography: Britten: Billy Budd (LSO, Daniel Harding)|url=http://www.lsc.org.uk/discography/27|work=LSC website|accessdate=26 May 2012|url-status=dead|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20130903025212/http://www.lsc.org.uk/discography/27|archivedate=3 September 2013}}</ref>
|-
|-
| 2009
| 2009
Line 79: Line 80:
| Hallé Orchestra, [[Mark Elder]] (conductor)
| Hallé Orchestra, [[Mark Elder]] (conductor)
| Hallé
| Hallé
| [[Gramophone Award]] Best Opera Recording<ref>{{cite web|title=Gramophone Awards 2010 unveiled|url=http://www.gramophone.co.uk/classical-music-news/gramophone-awards-2010-unveiled|publisher=Gramophone magazine|accessdate=7 September 2013|archiveurl=http://web.archive.org/web/20120408030029/http://www.gramophone.co.uk/classical-music-news/gramophone-awards-2010-unveiled|archivedate=8 April 2012|date=30 September 2010|deadurl=no}}</ref>
| [[Gramophone Award]] Best Opera Recording<ref>{{cite web|title=Gramophone Awards 2010 unveiled|url=http://www.gramophone.co.uk/classical-music-news/gramophone-awards-2010-unveiled|work=Gramophone magazine|accessdate=7 September 2013|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20120408030029/http://www.gramophone.co.uk/classical-music-news/gramophone-awards-2010-unveiled|archivedate=8 April 2012|date=30 September 2010|url-status=live}}</ref>
|}
|}


Line 85: Line 86:


[[File:One orcherstra, two choirs, 200 musicians.jpg|thumb|350px|right|The LSC rehearsing with Sir Colin Davis and the LSO for a 2012 performance of [[Berlioz Requiem]] in [[St Paul's Cathedral]]]]
[[File:One orcherstra, two choirs, 200 musicians.jpg|thumb|350px|right|The LSC rehearsing with Sir Colin Davis and the LSO for a 2012 performance of [[Berlioz Requiem]] in [[St Paul's Cathedral]]]]
Since its creation the Chorus has worked with a number of major choir trainers including [[John Alldis]], [[Arthur Oldham]], [[Richard Hickox]] and Stephen Westrop.<ref>{{cite web|title=Chorus Director & Accompanist|url=http://www.lsc.org.uk/about/director|work=official website|publisher=London Symphony Chorus|accessdate=20 May 2011}}</ref> The current Chorus Director is [[Simon Halsey]].<ref>{{cite web|title=London Symphony Chorus|url=http://lso.co.uk/page/3695/London-Symphony-Chorus|publisher=London Symphony Orchestra|accessdate=15 May 2012}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|title=New Chorus Director|url=http://www.lsc.org.uk/about/news/361|accessdate=26 May 2012|newspaper=LSC News|date=15 May 2012}}</ref>
Since its creation the Chorus has worked with a number of major choir trainers including [[John Alldis]], [[Arthur Oldham]], [[Richard Hickox]] and Stephen Westrop.<ref>{{cite web|title=Chorus Director & Accompanist|url=http://www.lsc.org.uk/about/director|work=official website|publisher=London Symphony Chorus|accessdate=20 May 2011|url-status=dead|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20150314190336/http://www.lsc.org.uk/about/director|archivedate=14 March 2015}}</ref> The current Chorus Director is [[Simon Halsey]].<ref>{{cite web|title=London Symphony Chorus|url=http://lso.co.uk/page/3695/London-Symphony-Chorus|publisher=London Symphony Orchestra|accessdate=15 May 2012}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|title=New Chorus Director|url=http://www.lsc.org.uk/about/news/361|accessdate=26 May 2012|newspaper=LSC News|date=15 May 2012|url-status=dead|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20120722000345/http://www.lsc.org.uk/about/news/361|archivedate=22 July 2012}}</ref>


The London Symphony Chorus has performed with many of the leading conductors of the day including [[Claudio Abbado]], [[Daniel Barenboim]], [[Leonard Bernstein]], [[Pierre Boulez]], [[Colin Davis]],<ref>{{cite web|title=Sir Colin Davis 1927-2013|url=http://www.lsc.org.uk/about/news/373}}</ref> [[Mark Elder]], [[John Eliot Gardiner]], [[Valery Gergiev]], [[Bernard Haitink]], [[Mariss Jansons]], [[Charles Mackerras]], [[Antonio Pappano]], [[André Previn]], [[Simon Rattle]], [[Mstislav Rostropovich]], [[Georg Solti]] and [[Michael Tilson Thomas]].<ref>{{cite web|title=Conductors and Presidents|url=http://www.lsc.org.uk/about/conductors|work=www.lsc.org.uk|publisher=London Symphony Chorus|accessdate=17 January 2012}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=Past performances|url=http://www.lsc.org.uk/about/repertoire|work=www.lsc.org.uk|publisher=London Symphony Chorus|accessdate=17 January 2012}}</ref>
The London Symphony Chorus has performed with many of the leading conductors of the day including [[Claudio Abbado]], [[Daniel Barenboim]], [[Leonard Bernstein]], [[Pierre Boulez]], [[Colin Davis]],<ref>{{cite web|title=Sir Colin Davis 1927–2013|url=http://www.lsc.org.uk/about/news/373|url-status=dead|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20130703210753/http://www.lsc.org.uk/about/news/373|archivedate=3 July 2013}}</ref> [[Mark Elder]], [[John Eliot Gardiner]], [[Valery Gergiev]], [[Bernard Haitink]], [[Mariss Jansons]], [[Charles Mackerras]], [[Antonio Pappano]], [[André Previn]], [[Simon Rattle]], [[Mstislav Rostropovich]], [[Georg Solti]] and [[Michael Tilson Thomas]].<ref>{{cite web|title=Conductors and Presidents|url=http://www.lsc.org.uk/about/conductors|work=lsc.org.uk|publisher=London Symphony Chorus|accessdate=17 January 2012}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=Past performances|url=http://www.lsc.org.uk/about/repertoire|work=lsc.org.uk|publisher=London Symphony Chorus|accessdate=17 January 2012|url-status=dead|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20150315145807/http://www.lsc.org.uk/about/repertoire|archivedate=15 March 2015}}</ref>


==Patrons==
==Patrons==


===Past===
===Past===
*[[Diana, Princess of Wales]]<ref name="Diana">{{cite web | url=http://charity.lovetoknow.com/Charities_of_Princess_Diana | title=Charities of Princess Diana | accessdate=2010-12-20 | publisher=Love to Know}}</ref>
*[[Diana, Princess of Wales]]<ref name="Diana">{{cite web | url=http://charity.lovetoknow.com/Charities_of_Princess_Diana | title=Charities of Princess Diana | accessdate=20 December 2010 | publisher=Love to Know}}</ref>


===Present===
===Present===
*[[Simon Russell Beale]]<ref name="Beale">{{cite press release | url=http://www.lsc.org.uk/about/news/321| title=New Patron for LSC | accessdate=2010-12-20 | date=2010-12-14 | publisher=London Symphony Chorus}}</ref>
*[[Simon Russell Beale]]<ref name="Beale">{{cite press release | url=http://www.lsc.org.uk/about/news/321 | title=New Patron for LSC | accessdate=20 December 2010 | date=14 December 2010 | publisher=London Symphony Chorus | url-status=dead | archiveurl=https://archive.today/20121225001217/http://www.lsc.org.uk/about/news/321 | archivedate=25 December 2012 }}</ref>
*[[Howard Goodall]]<ref name="Goodall">{{cite press release | url=https://www.lsc.org.uk/howard-goodall-is-new-lsc-patron/| title=Howard Goodall is new LSC Patron | accessdate=28 June 2017 | date=3 December 2015 | publisher=London Symphony Chorus}}</ref>


==References==
==References==
Line 103: Line 105:
* [http://www.lsc.org.uk/ London Symphony Chorus website]
* [http://www.lsc.org.uk/ London Symphony Chorus website]


{{Authority control}}
[[Category:British choirs]]

[[Category:Musical groups established in 1966]]
[[Category:Musical groups established in 1966]]
[[Category:London choirs]]
[[Category:London choirs]]
[[Category:Musical groups from London]]
[[Category:London Symphony Orchestra]]
[[Category:London Symphony Orchestra]]
[[Category:1966 establishments in England]]
[[Category:1966 establishments in England]]

Latest revision as of 15:02, 11 March 2023

London Symphony Chorus
The LSC and the LSO in the Barbican Concert Hall, 2007
Background information
Also known asLSC
OriginLondon, United Kingdom
GenresClassical
Years active1966 (1966)–present
LabelsCBS, Chandos, Decca, Deutsche Grammophon, EMI, Erato, Hallé, Hyperion, LSO Live, Philips, RCA, Virgin
Websitelsc.org.uk
Official logo of the London Symphony Chorus

The London Symphony Chorus (abbreviated to LSC) is a large symphonic concert choir based in London, UK, consisting of over 150 amateur singers, and is one of the major symphony choruses of the United Kingdom.[1] It was formed in 1966 as the LSO Chorus to complement the work of the London Symphony Orchestra (LSO). The LSC is today an independent self-run organisation governed by a council of nine elected representatives. It continues to maintain a close association with the LSO but also takes part in projects with other orchestras and organisations both in the UK and abroad.[2] The LSC performs mainly with the LSO at the Barbican Centre in London as well as appearing at other concert venues around the UK and Europe and regularly at the Avery Fisher Hall, New York.

Repertoire[edit]

The Chorus's core repertoire consists of the major nineteenth and twentieth century orchestral choral works.[3] The Chorus has performed and recorded works such as Elgar's The Dream of Gerontius, Mahler's Second, Third and Eighth Symphonies, Ravel's Daphnis et Chloé, Dvořák's Stabat Mater, Janáček's Glagolitic Mass, Britten's War Requiem, Beethoven's Ninth Symphony and Missa Solemnis, Berlioz's La damnation de Faust and Roméo et Juliette, Schoenberg's Gurre-Lieder, Brahms's Ein deutsches Requiem, Rossini's Stabat Mater, Stravinsky's Oedipus Rex & Symphony of Psalms, Tippett's A Child of Our Time and Verdi's Requiem.[4]

The Chorus has also taken part in concert performances and commercial recordings of operas including Beethoven's Fidelio, Berlioz's Les Troyens and Benvenuto Cellini, Bernstein's Candide, Britten's Peter Grimes and Billy Budd, Verdi's Rigoletto, Falstaff and Otello, Wagner's Götterdämmerung and Richard Strauss's Elektra.[4]

Notable recordings[edit]

The London Symphony Chorus's discography consists of over 140 recordings, and many of these recordings feature collaborations with the London Symphony Orchestra. Since 2000 the LSC has taken part in productions for the orchestra's new CD label, LSO Live which launched in 2000 and specialises in recordings of live performances in front of audiences. Among works recorded by the choir are Brahms's German Requiem (LSO, André Previn 2000); Mahler's Symphony No. 8 (CBSO, Simon Rattle 2005); Mozart's Requiem (LSO, Sir Colin Davis 2008); Britten: War Requiem (LSO, Giandrea Noseda 2012); Berlioz's Requiem (LSO, Colin Davis, 2013); and Weber's Der Freischütz (LSO, Sir Colin Davis, 2013).[5] Notable solo artists who have featured on LSC releases include Ian Bostridge, Simon Keenleyside,[6] Felicity Palmer and Anne Sofie von Otter.

A number of LSC recordings have received awards including the following:

Year of recording Work Orchestra/Conductor Label Awards
1989 Bernstein: Candide LSO, Leonard Bernstein (conductor) Deutsche Grammophon Grammy Award Best Classical Album
1991 Britten: War Requiem LSO, Richard Hickox (conductor) Chandos Records Grand Prix du Disque
Gramophone Award Best Choral Recording
1995 Britten: Peter Grimes LSO, Richard Hickox (conductor) Chandos Records Grammy Award Best Opera Recording[7]
2000 Berlioz: Les Troyens LSO, Colin Davis (conductor) LSO Live Grammy Award Best Opera Recording, Best Classical Album[8]
2004 Verdi: Falstaff LSO, Colin Davis (conductor) LSO Live Grammy Award Best Opera Recording[9]
2007 Britten: Billy Budd LSO, Daniel Harding (conductor) Virgin Classics Grammy Award Best Opera Recording[10]
2009 Wagner: Götterdämmerung Hallé Orchestra, Mark Elder (conductor) Hallé Gramophone Award Best Opera Recording[11]

Conductors[edit]

The LSC rehearsing with Sir Colin Davis and the LSO for a 2012 performance of Berlioz Requiem in St Paul's Cathedral

Since its creation the Chorus has worked with a number of major choir trainers including John Alldis, Arthur Oldham, Richard Hickox and Stephen Westrop.[12] The current Chorus Director is Simon Halsey.[13][14]

The London Symphony Chorus has performed with many of the leading conductors of the day including Claudio Abbado, Daniel Barenboim, Leonard Bernstein, Pierre Boulez, Colin Davis,[15] Mark Elder, John Eliot Gardiner, Valery Gergiev, Bernard Haitink, Mariss Jansons, Charles Mackerras, Antonio Pappano, André Previn, Simon Rattle, Mstislav Rostropovich, Georg Solti and Michael Tilson Thomas.[16][17]

Patrons[edit]

Past[edit]

Present[edit]

References[edit]

  1. ^ "About us : London Symphony Chorus". Lsc.org.uk. Retrieved 23 June 2020.
  2. ^ "About us". official website. London Symphony Chorus. 2009. Retrieved 11 April 2010.
  3. ^ "Past performances". official website. London Symphony Chorus. Archived from the original on 15 March 2015. Retrieved 11 April 2010.
  4. ^ a b "The London Symphony Chorus – a Discography 1966–2010 compiled by Brian Godfrey" (PDF). The London Symphony Chorus – a Discography 1966–2010 compiled by Brian Godfrey. Retrieved 22 August 2012.[permanent dead link]
  5. ^ "Discography". official website. London Symphony Chorus. Archived from the original on 19 July 2008. Retrieved 11 April 2010.
  6. ^ "Britten: War Requiem". London Symphony Chorus official website. Archived from the original on 21 September 2013. Retrieved 8 September 2013.
  7. ^ "Discography: Britten: Peter Grimes (LSO, Sir Colin Davis)". LSC website. Archived from the original on 21 September 2013. Retrieved 26 May 2012.
  8. ^ "Discography: Berlioz: Les Troyens (LSO, Sir Colin Davis)". LSC website. Archived from the original on 22 September 2013. Retrieved 26 May 2012.
  9. ^ "Discography: Verdi: Falstaff (LSO, Sir Colin Davis)". LSC website. Archived from the original on 7 September 2012. Retrieved 26 May 2012.
  10. ^ "Discography: Britten: Billy Budd (LSO, Daniel Harding)". LSC website. Archived from the original on 3 September 2013. Retrieved 26 May 2012.
  11. ^ "Gramophone Awards 2010 unveiled". Gramophone magazine. 30 September 2010. Archived from the original on 8 April 2012. Retrieved 7 September 2013.
  12. ^ "Chorus Director & Accompanist". official website. London Symphony Chorus. Archived from the original on 14 March 2015. Retrieved 20 May 2011.
  13. ^ "London Symphony Chorus". London Symphony Orchestra. Retrieved 15 May 2012.
  14. ^ "New Chorus Director". LSC News. 15 May 2012. Archived from the original on 22 July 2012. Retrieved 26 May 2012.
  15. ^ "Sir Colin Davis 1927–2013". Archived from the original on 3 July 2013.
  16. ^ "Conductors and Presidents". lsc.org.uk. London Symphony Chorus. Retrieved 17 January 2012.
  17. ^ "Past performances". lsc.org.uk. London Symphony Chorus. Archived from the original on 15 March 2015. Retrieved 17 January 2012.
  18. ^ "Charities of Princess Diana". Love to Know. Retrieved 20 December 2010.
  19. ^ "New Patron for LSC" (Press release). London Symphony Chorus. 14 December 2010. Archived from the original on 25 December 2012. Retrieved 20 December 2010.
  20. ^ "Howard Goodall is new LSC Patron" (Press release). London Symphony Chorus. 3 December 2015. Retrieved 28 June 2017.

External links[edit]

Retrieved from "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=London_Symphony_Chorus&oldid=1144051283"