What is the London Philharmonic Orchestra?
Q: What is the London Philharmonic Orchestra?
A: The London Philharmonic Orchestra (LPO) is one of the major orchestras of the United Kingdom, based in the Royal Festival Hall in London.
Q: When was it formed?
A: The orchestra was formed in 1932 by Sir Thomas Beecham and played its first concert on October 7, 1932 at the Queen's Hall, London.
Q: Who conducted at early concerts?
A: At one of the orchestra's early concerts in November 1932, Malcolm Sargent was associate conductor and Elgar himself conducted a violin concerto performed by sixteen-year old Yehudi Menuhin.
Q: How did they become self-governing?
A: In 1939 their sponsors stopped giving money to the orchestra so they became a self-governing body which meant that players organized themselves, deciding on their pay, members and music to play.
Q: What happened during WWII?
A: During WWII they went around playing music for people who would not otherwise hear it. Many instruments were destroyed when Queen's Hall was bombed but people donated money for new ones.
Q: Who returned after WWII?
A: After WWII Beecham returned to LPO for eighteen months before leaving to start a new orchestra called Royal Philharmonic.
Q: What other roles has LPO taken on since then? A: Since then LPO has had several guest conductors until Eduard van Beinum was appointed followed by Sir Adrian Boult who stayed until 1956 and became President in 1965. They also became resident orchestra for Glyndebourne Festival Opera in 1964 and continue this today with Vladimir Jurowski as principal conductor since 1967.
