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Orchestra/Ensemble

London Philharmonic Choir

London Philharmonic Choir

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London Philharmonic Choir

The London Philharmonic Choir (LPC) is one of the leading independent British choirs in the United Kingdom based in London. The Patron is Princess Alexandra, The Hon Lady Ogilvy and Sir Roger Norrington is President. The choir, comprising over 200 members, holds charitable status and is governed by a committee of nine elected directors. As a charity, its aims are to promote, improve, develop and maintain education in the appreciation of the art and science of music by the presentation of public concerts.

The LPC was formed in 1946 with Frederic Jackson as Chorus Master, for the London Philharmonic Orchestra (LPO). On 15 May 1947, The choir made its début with a performance of Beethoven's Ninth Symphony at the Royal Albert Hall under the baton of Victor De Sabata. Their first recording was of Stravinsky's Symphony of Psalms with the LPO in 1947 followed by the first radio broadcast of Vaughan Williams' Sancta Civitas and Verdi's Stabat Mater in March 1948 with the BBC Symphony Orchestra. Throughout Jackson's tenure (1947-1969), the choir worked closely with the LPO and with major conductors and soloists of the period including Sir Adrian Boult, Eduard van Beinum, Dame Janet Baker, Peter Pears and Kathleen Ferrier. Despite funding cuts to the LPO in the 1950s, the choir maintained work by being engaged by other orchestras. By the mid 1960s LPC's performance standards were slipping and Jackson was invited to retire. His successor, John Alldis improved the standards of the choir and also encouraged the performance of contemporary works such as David Bedford's Star clusters, Nebulae and Places in Devon. The choir worked with Bernard Haitink and Sir John Pritchard during their time as LPO Principal conductors in the 1970s. A noted LPC recording called Sounds of Glory in 1976, now marketed as Praise - 18 Choral Masterpieces, has become the best-selling recording for the choir to date. In 1979, LPC undertook its first overseas tour to Germany.

In 1982, Richard Cooke succeeded Alldis as Chorus Master and saw the choir through a productive decade. In 1984, the choir registered as a charity. The choir performed under Georg Solti and Klaus Tennstedt who were the two principal LPO conductors of that decade. The LPC also continued to enjoy touring overseas. A noted recording with Tennstedt of the Mahler eighth symphony won an award in 1987. However, the early 1990s was a period of turmoil for the LPO and LPC as financial recession and resignations at the LPO created a climate of uncertainty, while there was some press opposition to the appointment of Franz Welser-Möst as Principal Conductor. Cooke resigned in 1991 due in part to the strained working relationship with Welser-Möst and disputes between choir and LPO management. The LPO appointed Jeremy Jackman as the next Chorus Master in 1992. However with the choir's difficulties being widely advertised, existing membership levels declined and recruitment of new members became a challenge. Jackman resigned in 1994 after only two seasons at the helm.

Neville Creed became the next Chorus Master (1994present). His enthusiasm helped to build back morale and membership. In 1996, at the end of the Welser-Möst tenure, the LPC became autonomous after being severed from the LPO's payroll. During this bleak period, the choir was able to secure concerts with other London orchestras and with arts promotion institutions such as IMG Artists and Raymond Gubbay for much needed financial aid. Over time, the choir's performance standard, visibility and reputation improved. Eventually, relations with the LPO settled into mutual respect and good will and the LPC was given the right of first refusal for most future choral projects with the LPO. In 1997, the choir celebrated its 50th anniversary with a concert at the Albert Hall attended by Princess Alexandra and Ursula Vaughan Williams. In 2002, the choir adopted a new constitution and became a registered charity with the legal protection of a limited company. For their 60th anniversary in 2007, the book Hallelujah! An informal history of the London Philharmonic Choir was published. The LPC continues to work closely with the LPO's Principal Conductor Vladimir Jurowski (2007present) and Guest Principal Conductor Yannick Nézet-Séguin (2009present).

Organisation

The LPC is an independent amateur mixed-voice choir holding charitable status. The choir, while being rooted in the British choral tradition, also performs a wide repertoire of different styles and languages. The choir's aim is to perform large choral works to professional standard whilst providing a friendly social network for its members. As a charity, its aims are to promote, improve, develop and maintain education in the appreciation of the art and science of music by the presentation of public concerts. The choir also aims to encourage and support for the public benefit all art forms, particularly but not exclusively those involving music, including other cultural and educational activities in order to make these more accessible to the public at large.[1]

Members of the London Philharmonic Choir after the performance of Antonín Dvoák's Requiem at the Royal Festival Hall on 7 February 2009

Choir

The choir consists of a pool of over 200 members ranging from college students, working age to retirees. There are four vocal sections; bass, tenor, alto and soprano. Each vocal section is divided into upper and lower voices. The choir also accepts female tenors and male altos as members. Each section has a voice representative who looks after the interests of the section members, notes attendance and acts as liaison with the committee.

All members are volunteers and each member is auditioned prior to joining. Members who pass their audition pay a one-off £25 subscription. There is no annual membership fee. Existing members are re-auditioned every 1 or 3 years with the choir.

The choir rehearses on Monday and/or Wednesday nights depending on the current project and the rehearsals are normally based at Bishopsgate Institute.

Committee

The committee is made up of members of the choir and they are in charge of the running of the choir and liaising with the London Philharmonic Orchestra and other organisations. The committee is divided into a Board of Directors which is made up of the Chairman, Secretary, Treasurer, Choir Manager, Membership Coordinator and Voice representatives; and non board members including the Enquiries officer, Librarian and Tours Manager.

Revenue is derived from initial subscription, donations and above all from concert engagements.[2] The Artistic Director and the Accompanist are paid positions. The Artistic Director also holds an ex officio position on the committee.

Patrons

  • 1996present Princess Alexandra, The Hon Lady Ogilvy

Presidents

  • 198396 Klaus Tennstedt
  • 1996present Sir Roger Norrington

Chorus Masters[3]

  • 194769 Frederic Jackson
  • MaySeptember 1968 Russell Burgess, Deputy Choir Master
  • 196982 John Alldis
  • 198291 Richard Cooke
  • 199294 Jeremy Jackman
  • 1994present Neville Creed, Artistic Director
  • 200308 Matthew Rowe, Associate Chorus Director:

Chairmen[4]

  • 194647 Victoria Spenser Wilkinson
  • 1947 Neville Rogers
  • 194755 Victoria Spenser Wilkinson
  • 195561 Frank J. Wheeler
  • 196168 Christopher (P.C.) Roscoe
  • 196869 Frank J. Wheeler
  • 196970 David R. Anderson
  • 197072 Daniel Snowman
  • 197277 Vey Roberts
  • 197784 Anthony Shillingford
  • 198487 Vincent Evans
  • 198792 Aidan Jones
  • 199296 Nigel Grieve
  • 199699 Jane Hanson
  • 1999-2002 John Peirce
  • 200208 Peter Taylor
  • 200813 Mary Moore
  • 201314 Andrew Mackie
  • 2014present Ian Frost

History

Jackson era (1947-1969)

The LPC was formed in December 1946 by former members of the Philharmonic Choir (founded in 1919 by Charles Kennedy Scott[5] and disbanded in 1939 at the onset of World War II[6][7]) and the London Philharmonic Orchestra.[8] The appointed choir master was Professor Frederic Jackson as Charles Kennedy Scott was unable to resume conductorship. This alliance made the London Philharmonic Choir the first major London choir to be attached to one of the big independent London orchestras.[9][10]

In the founding years, the choir was composed of amateur and professional singers, the latter being paid a sum of ten shillings and sixpence per rehearsal session. The amateur members paid the annual membership fee of one guinea.[8] The choir also commenced a membership drive with the placement of an advertisement in the February 1947 issue of The Musical Times..[11] In March 1947, after recruiting over 300 members, rehearsals commenced on Wednesday evenings at the Westminster Cathedral Hall.[9]

The choir made its début on 15 May 1947 with a performance of Beethoven's Ninth Symphony with the LPO conducted by Victor De Sabata at the Royal Albert Hall.[12] The choir's first recording was Igor Stravinsky's Symphony of Psalms in 1947 under Ernest Ansermet.[13] This was followed by their first radio broadcast of Vaughan Williams' Sancta Civitas and Verdi's Stabat Mater in March 1948 with the BBC Symphony Orchestra (BBCSO) under Sir Adrian Boult.[9] Another first for the choir was the Proms performance in August 1952 of Stravinsky's Symphony of Psalms with the LPO conducted by Basil Cameron at the Royal Albert Hall.[14]

In the early 1950s, the LPO was in financial difficulties as funding from the London County Council was severed.[15] Despite the LPO's loyalty to the choir, the financial crisis resulted in the choir being used less during this period. The LPO board cited "...because of the number of professional choristers, the cost of putting a concert with the Choir had become so great that it was difficult to maintain its interest." Jackson was now paid by engagement rather than a fixed salary. The LPO board also agreed "that in the circumstances, no objection could be raised if the choir found work for themselves, provided reference was made to the LPO before any engagement was accepted".[16] By 1958, the choir's annual membership fee was raised to one pound ten shillings as a means to maintain administration funds. This was further raised in 1959 to £3 as the choir was now responsible for the remuneration of the Chorus Master.[17]

The LPC continued its partnership with the LPO throughout the 1960s. In the spring of 1967, Bernard Haitink was appointed principal conductor of the LPO and in the first season under his reign, the LPC performed Britten's Spring Symphony, Bruckner's E Minor Mass and Mahler's Resurrection Symphony.[18] In March 1968, the choir made its first television broadcast: a performance of Elgar's Dream of Gerontius at Canterbury Cathedral with the LPO conducted by Sir Adrian Boult with soloists Peter Pears, Dame Janet Baker and John Shirley-Quirk. The production was directed by Brian Large for the BBC and broadcast in colour.[19]

However, by the late 1960s the LPO board were dissatisfied with the dwindling performance quality of the LPC and by implication, with Jackson. Jackson's retirement as Chorus Master was announced in May 1969, "... after 21 years owing to the pressure of other engagements...".[20] John Alldis,[21] who was Founding Chorus Master of the London Symphony Chorus (LSC), succeeded as Chorus Master of the LPC that same year.[22]

Frederic Jackson died on 10 February 1972 while conducting Verdi's Requiem at the Royal Academy of Music. He was 67 years old.[23][24]

Alldis era (1969-1982)

The arrival of John Alldis fostered a new era for the LPC. The committee restructured with the addition of voice section representatives. The choir's annual membership fee was also abolished. Rehearsals were relocated to Bishopsgate Institute as Alldis favoured its acoustics.[25] Recruitment of new members commenced almost immediately with advertisements and invitation by existing members. Alldis also re-auditioned existing LPC members to maintain standards. Some former LSC members loyal to Alldis followed him to the LPC. One new recruit who joined as a tenor in 1972 was David Temple. He is now the conductor and musical director of the Crouch End Festival Chorus.[26][27] David had been invited to become the Music Director of Crouch End Arts Festival in 1984 by John Gregson, its Director and fellow LPC tenor. Together they founded Crouch End Festival Chorus in that year. It was at this time that Malcolm Hicks[28] joined as accompanist and Deputy Chorus Master.[29]

Along with maintaining a high performance level with standard choral repertoire, Alldis also encouraged the choir to undertake contemporary works such as David Bedford's Star Clusters, Nebulae and Places in Devon which was commissioned for the LPC and Brass of the LPO and was given its première on 7 March 1971 at the Royal Festival Hall.[30][31][32][33] Another performance of a contemporary work occurred in August 1972 when David Rowland's Cantate Laetantes Alleluia was featured at the International Carnival of Experimental Sound - ICES-72 - in the Roundhouse at Chalk Farm.[34][35]

The LPC performed with major classical soloists of the decade. These included, Kiri Te Kanawa, Heather Harper, Sheila Armstrong, Margaret Price, Norma Procter, Helen Watts, Peter Pears, Richard Lewis, Robert Tear, John Carol Case, John Shirley-Quirk, Norman Bailey and Raimund Herincx.[36]

In 1976, the choir recorded Sounds of Glory which is a compilation of hymns and songs for choir and orchestra for use in television advertisements and the like. The recording is now marketed under the title Praise - 18 Choral Masterpieces and has become the best-selling album for the choir to date.[37] In 1979, the choir undertook its first European tour, to Wilhelmshaven in Northern Germany, performing Bruckner's E Minor Mass with the local wind ensemble. This tour was arranged through contacts from a choir member as part of Wilhelmshaven's annual music festival Wochenende an der Jade.[38]

After 13 years as chorus master of the LPC, Alldis retired in 1982, the year of LPO's golden jubilee.

John Alldis died on 20 December 2010. He was 81 years old.[39]

Cooke era (1982-1991)

Alldis' successor was Richard Cooke who took up the post on 10 March 1982.[40][41] On 12 March 1984, the choir adopted the rules by the Charity Commission and a month later became a registered charity.[42]

During the 1980s, recordings became less frequent as most came to be offered to professional ensembles. However, the choir sang regularly under the baton of such conductors as Sir Georg Solti and Klaus Tennstedt. Opportunities for touring became more common; in 1985, for example, the choir visited Italy with Tennstedt, performing Beethoven's Ninth in Perugia and Pompeii.[43] Tennstedt became the choir's first president when he commenced his tenure as the LPO's Principal Conductor and Artistic Director in 1983. It was with Tennstedt that the choir recorded the Mahler's Eighth Symphony together with the Tiffin School boys' choir and the LPO for EMI in 1987.[44] This recording won the 1987 Gramophone Magazine's 'Orchestral Record of the Year Award'.[45][46] Tennstedt stood down from the LPO in 1987 due to ill health, having nurtured good rapport with Cooke and the LPC during his tenure. In 1988, members of the choir wore monks' habits during their performance of the British concert première of Olivier Messian's 5-hour-long opera, Saint François d'Assise (Saint Francis of Assisi) at the Royal Festival Hall conducted by Kent Nagano, a performance they then took to Lyon.[47]

In 1990, the LPO appointed Franz Welser-Möst to the post of Principal Conductor.[48] That same year, the LPO became the first "resident" orchestra at the South Bank (the arts complex which includes the Royal Festival Hall). This enabled the LPO (and its choir) to have first choice in dates, rehearsals and repertoire.[49] In 1991, Tennstedt conducted the LPC and LPO in three performances of Mahler's Eighth Symphony at the Royal Festival Hall one of which was attended by Mahler's granddaughter, Anna.[49]

The economic recession of the 1990s was a turbulent period for the arts in Britain. High-level resignations at the LPO management fostered tension and uncertainty for the LPO and LPC.[50] Furthermore, Welser-Möst was not enamoured with the choir, preferring what he called a more 'Continental sound'. Inevitably, the working relationship was strained between Cooke and Welser-Möst.[51] In August 1991, after a performance at The Proms of Beethoven's Ninth Symphony conducted by Tennstedt,[52] Cooke concluded his engagement with the LPC.

Richard Cooke is now Music Director of the Royal Choral Society.[53][54]

Jackman era (1992-1994)

The LPO appointed Jeremy Jackman, a former member of the King's Singers, as the next Chorus Master in late 1991 to commence in 1992.[50] The LPO did not programme any concerts involving the LPC in the 1992/93 season to allow the choir time to regroup. With the departure of Cooke, some LPC members, uncertain of the choir's future, defected to other choirs resulting in declining membership. Recruitment was made all the more challenging as the choir's difficulties were widely advertised.[50] Despite this setback, Jackman and the fragmented choir worked hard to achieve decent results for Beethoven's Ninth with Tennstedt, Janáek's Glagolitic Mass with Jií Blohlávek and Haydn's Creation with Sir Roger Norrington.[55] In March 1994, Jackman handed in his resignation after working with the choir for only two concert seasons. By late 1994, after months of searching and auditioning, the LPO eventually appointed Neville Creed[56] as the next LPC Chorus Master.

Jeremy Jackman is now Musical Director of the English Baroque Choir,[57] the Cecilian Singers[58] in Leicester, and the Jay Singers[59] in Norfolk. He also gives music masterclasses and workshops.[60]

Creed era (1994present)

Neville Creed was the former head of music at Tiffin School and conductor of the Bournemouth and Guildford choirs. He collaborated with the LPC by preparing the Tiffin Boys' Choir on the Mahler Eight recording in 1987. His brother, Marcus Creed, is also a noted English conductor, now based in Germany.[61][62] Creed's enthusiasm and drive enabled the LPC to undertake a membership drive and to build up morale. The choir was able to give creditable performances with the LPO at the Royal Festival Hall in the 1994/95 LPO concert season of the Britten and Verdi Requiems under Welser-Möst, Berlioz concerts with Norrington, Beethoven's Ninth and Bruckner's Te Deum with Haitink, and two performances of Verdi's Aida with Zubin Mehta.[63]

However, the prevailing economic conditions in the arts in Britain meant orchestras were under ever increasing financial strains. By the time of Franz Welser-Möst departure in 1996, the LPC ceased to be on the payroll of the LPO and became autonomous. This meant that the choir needed to maintain some form of financial stability while recognising concerts with the LPO were no longer guaranteed.[64] The main focus for the choir was to improve its standard of choral singing if it were to survive as reputation alone was not enough to garner any engagements. The choir began approaching and performing with other orchestras such as the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra, The London Symphony Orchestra and the Philharmonia Orchestra. The choir also actively pursued engagements from arts organisations through networks known by individual choir members, such as IMG Artists (Hampton Court Music Festival) and Raymond Gubbay (Classical Spectacular concerts). LPC members were also likely to be found augmenting other larger choirs and their respective orchestras, such as the Royal Choral Society or the London Symphony Chorus if a large force was required for a particular performance.[65] Eventually, the relationship between the LPO and LPC settled into one of mutual respect and goodwill. The choir was now given the right of first refusal for future choral projects involving the LPO.[66]

In 1996, Princess Alexandra, The Hon Lady Ogilvy accepted the choir's invitation to become its first Patron. In the same year, Sir Roger Norrington became the second President of the choir. In 1997, the LPC celebrated its 50th Anniversary with a performance of Vaughan Williams' Sea Symphony at the Royal Albert Hall conducted by Neville Creed and attended by Princess Alexandra and Ursula Vaughan Williams.[66]

In 2002, the choir adopted a new constitution and became a registered charity with the legal protection of a limited company.[67] In 2003, Neville Creed's role changed from Chorus Master to Artistic Director. This enabled him to have a say on the type of programming the choir was to undertake. However, Creed's increasing commitments as Director of Cultural Activities at St Edward's School[68] in Oxford, resulted in the appointment of Matthew Rowe as Associate Chorus Director to work alongside Creed.[69]

2004 and 2005 saw an exceptional number of tours and high-prestige performances for members of the LPC. In January 2004, Rowe prepared and accompanied the LPC to perform Mahlers Resurrection symphony (and to première John Harbison's Abraham) before Pope John Paul II at the Vatican. For this "Papal Concert of Reconciliation", the LPC were joined by the Ankara State Polyphonic Choir, the Kraków Philharmonic Choir, members of the Mendelssohn Choir of Pittsburgh and the Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra under Gilbert Levine.[70][71] In April, the choir sang Haydns Creation[72] in Hong Kong, returning to perform La Damnation de Faust with Mark Elder in London and the Mahlers Resurrection symphony with the Philharmonia under Esa-Pekka Salonen in Paris and at the Royal Festival Hall. Other performances that year included Glagolitic Mass (June), Janáek's The Eternal Gospel and Mahler's Third Symphony (July), La Damnation de Faust and Carmina Burana (October), A Sea Symphony (November) and Raymond Gubbay's Christmas classics and Beethoven Ninth (December).[73][74][75]

In 2005 alone, the choir toured six countries beginning with Greece in January, Malaysia and Australia in June, Germany in July, Switzerland in September and finally Italy in November.[76] In May 2005, the choir performed Britten's War Requiem with the LPO under Kurt Masur. This concert - the last before the Royal Festival Hall's closure for refurbishment - marked the 60th anniversary of the end of World War II in Europe[77][78] and was recorded by the LPO for the orchestra's recently launched CD label.[79][80] The LPC celebrated their 60th anniversary in May 2007, with a choral concert at the Queen Elizabeth Hall. This event also coincided with the book launch of Hallelujah! An informal history of the London Philharmonic Choir written by author and long standing member of the choir, Daniel Snowman.[81]

In June 2007, the Royal Festival Hall was reopened following extensive refurbishment. The LPC participated in the gala opening concert, one highlight of which was a celebratory new composition, Alleluia, by the composer - and member of the LPC bass section - Julian Anderson. In September 2007, as part of its ongoing commitment as a charity, the LPC was involved with its first Mayor of London Open Rehearsal at the Bishopsgate Institute.[82]

In July 2008, Rowe prepared the choir for the Doctor Who Prom with the BBC Philharmonic under conductors Stephen Bell and Ben Foster held at the Royal Albert Hall. Soloists were Melanie Pappenheim and Tim Phillips.[83] He also undertook non-LPC engagements, such as mentor to Katie Derham[84] in BBC 2's production of Maestro shown in August and September 2008.[85] After 6 years, Rowe left the LPC at the end of 2008 to take up the position of symphony orchestra conductor for the San Diego State University School of Music and Dance in January 2009.[86] Creed returned to full duties as Artistic Director and the role of Associate Chorus Director was made redundant.

With the success of the 2008 Doctor Who Prom, the choir was invited to perform in the "Evolution!" Prom in August 2009, performing Jón Leifs Hekla, Op 52 and also the première of Goldie's composition Sine Tempore (Without Time) commissioned by the BBC.[87] The creation of this work was featured in the two-part series Classic Goldie on BBC 2.[88]

In September 2009, the choir, augmented by the London Chorus, recorded 50 greatest pieces of classical music with the LPO under David Parry at Henry Wood Hall.[89] This "download only" recording released in December 2009, was the first for the LPC.[90][91] This recording was ranked 4th on the Gramophone Magazine classical charts as of 30 October 2010.[92]

The choir's first engagement under the LPO's Principal Guest Conductor Yannick Nézet-Séguin occurred in April 2009 with the performance of Brahms' Requiem with the LPO at the Royal Festival Hall.[93] This performance was recorded for the LPO label and released 29 March 2010.[94][95]

As part of the 115th BBC Prom season, the choir again participated in a Doctor Who Prom on 24 July which was reprised the following day. The prom also featured the BBC National Orchestra of Wales with conductors Ben Foster and Grant Llewellyn with music by Murray Gold.[96][97]

Noted performances

Date Composer Performance Orchestra / Ensemble Conductor Venue Occasion
15 May 1947 Ludwig van Beethoven Ninth Symphony LPO Victor De Sabata Royal Albert Hall LPC Debut[12]
12 October 1947 Igor Stravinsky Symphony of Psalms LPO Ernest Ansermet Royal Opera House Covent Garden First Recording by the LPC[13]
20 March 1948
21 March 1948
Ralph Vaughan Williams Sancta Civitas BBCSO Sir Adrian Boult Maida Vale Studios First Broadcast by the LPC[9]
Giuseppe Verdi Stabat Mater
13 October 1949 Ernest Bloch Sacred Service (Avodath Hakodesh) LPO Ernest Bloch Royal Albert Hall London Première[14]
9 March 1950 Benjamin Britten Spring Symphony LPO Eduard van Beinum Royal Albert Hall UK Première [98]
30 June 1951 Edmund Rubbra Festival Te Deum LPO Frederic Jackson Royal Festival Hall World Première and closing event of the Art Council's 'Season of the Arts'
(Festival of Britain)[99]
20 June 1952 Franz Reizenstein Voices of Night LPO Sir Adrian Boult Maida Vale Studios UK Première Broadcast[100]
26 August 1952 Igor Stravinsky Symphony of Psalms LPO Basil Cameron Royal Albert Hall First LPC Performance at the Proms[14]
3 June 1953 Malcolm Arnold Symphony No.2 LPO Sir Adrian Boult Royal Festival Hall UK Première[14]
7 October 1953 Ralph Vaughan Williams Serenade to Music LPO Ralph Vaughan Williams Royal Albert Hall LPO's 21st anniversary concert[101]
19 November 1954 Albert Roussel Aeneas LPO Jean Martinon Royal Festival Hall UK Première [102][103]
10 June 1955 Samuel Barber Prayers of Kierkegaard (Op.30) LPO Massimo Freccia Royal Festival Hall UK Première [104]
20 November 1955 Stanley Bate Symphony No. 4 LPO Sir Adrian Boult Royal Festival Hall World Première[14]
5 February 1956 Sergei Prokofiev The Tale of the Stone Flower
(Orchestral Suite)
LPO Anatole Fistoulari Royal Festival Hall UK Première[14]
16 March 1956 Ludwig van Beethoven Der glorreiche Augenblick
(The Glorious Moment Op. 136)
LPO Hermann Scherchen Royal Festival Hall UK Première [105]
6 October 1957 Ralph Vaughan Williams Serenade to Music LPO Sir Adrian Boult Royal Festival Hall LPO's 25th anniversary and LPC's 10th anniversary concert[106]
Gustav Holst The Planets
2 June 1959 Igor Stravinsky The Lamentations of Jeremiah LPO William Steinberg Royal Festival Hall UK Première[14]
13 December 1960 Frank Martin Le Mystère de la Nativité
(The Mystery of the Nativity)
LPO Jaroslav Krombholc Royal Festival Hall UK Première[14]
24 June 1961 Havergal Brian Symphony No. 1 in D minor "The Gothic" Polyphonia Symphony Orchestra Bryan Fairfax Westminster Central Hall World Première [107]
26 October 1961 Ludwig van Beethoven arr. Herbert Zipper Elegischer Gesang
(Elegy for choir and organ)
LPO Sir Adrian Boult Royal Festival Hall UK Première[14][108]
18 February 1962 William Walton Gloria LPO Malcolm Sargent Royal Festival Hall London Première
17 April 1962 Paul Hindemith An American Requiem
(When Lilacs Last in the Dooryard Bloom'd)
LPO Paul Hindemith Royal Festival Hall UK Première [109]
2 January 1966 William Walton The Twelve LPO William Walton Westminster Abbey UK Première (Orchestral Version)[110]
29 October 1963 Pablo Casals El Pessebre (The Manger) LPO Pablo Casals Royal Festival Hall UK Première[14]
24 May 1966 Franz Schmidt The Book with Seven Seals Polyphonia Symphony Orchestra Bryan Fairfax Royal Festival Hall UK Première [111]
28 January 1970 Ludwig van Beethoven Choral Fantasia LPO Bernard Haitink Royal Festival Hall Royal Philharmonic Society bicentenary concert[112]
Ninth Symphony
7 March 1972 David Bedford Star clusters, Nebulae and Places in Devon LPO Brass John Alldis Royal Festival Hall World Première Commissioned work[30]
1 March 1977 William Walton Belshazzar's Feast LPO Georg Solti Royal Festival Hall William Walton's 75th Birthday and Solti's last LPO concert[113]
18 September 1977 Gustav Mahler Symphony No. 2 Resurrection LPO Bernard Haitink Royal Festival Hall Concert for Haitink's 10th Anniversary as LPO's Principal Conductor[114]
8 October 1977 Joseph Horovitz Samson Various Brass Bands Joseph Horovitz Royal Albert Hall World Première for Royal Silver Jubilee Festival Concert
and National Brass Band Festival[115]
28 September 1986 Benjamin Britten War Requiem BBCSO John Pritchard Royal Albert Hall Part of the Britten Tippett Festival[116]
6 July 1987 Gustav Holst Hymn of Jesus Guildford Philharmonic Orchestra Richard Cooke Royal Festival Hall LPC's 40th anniversary concert
Karl Orff Carmina Burana
10 December 1988 Olivier Messiaen Saint François d'Assise (Saint Francis of Assisi) LPO Kent Nagano Royal Festival Hall UK Première (Complete concert performance)[117]
22 April 1995 Arvo Pärt Litany:
Prayers of St John Chrysostom
for Each Hour of the Day and Night
LPO Roger Norrington Queen Elizabeth Hall UK Première with The Hilliard Ensemble[118]
13 May 1997 Ralph Vaughan Williams Sea Symphony LPO Neville Creed Royal Albert Hall LPC 50th Anniversary Concert[66]
16 September 1999 Thomas Adés America: A Prophecy LPO Kurt Masur Royal Festival Hall London Première[14][119]
5 October 2002 Richard Fitzhugh Where Everything is Music Richard Pearce (Organ) Neville Creed Mote Hall, Maidstone World Première for The Mayor of Maidstone's Charity Concert[120]
15 October 2003 Julian Anderson I saw Eternity (a cappella) Neville Creed St Botolph's Aldgate World Première [121]
17 January 2004 John Harbison Abraham Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra Sir Gilbert Levine Paul VI Audience Hall, Vatican World Première at the 'Papal Concert of Reconciliation'[122]
8 May 2005 Benjamin Britten War Requiem LPO Kurt Masur Royal Festival Hall Concert for 60th Anniversary of the end of World War II and
last performance at the Royal Festival Hall prior to refurbishment.[78]
23 August 2006 Mark-Anthony Turnage A Relic of Memory LPO Vladimir Jurowski Royal Albert Hall UK Première for BBC Proms 53.[123][124]
13 May 2007 Johann Sebastian Bach Lobet den Herrn (a cappella) Neville Creed Queen Elizabeth Hall LPC 60th Anniversary Concert[125]
Anton Bruckner Bruckner Motets[126]
Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart Requiem LPO Vladimir Jurowski
11 June 2007 Julian Anderson Alleluia LPO Vladimir Jurowski Royal Festival Hall World Première for the Royal Festival Hall gala reopening and LPO's 75th Anniversary season.[127][128][129]
4 April 2009 Johannes Brahms A German Requiem LPO Yannick Nézet-Séguin Royal Festival Hall First collaboration with LPO Principal Guest Conductor[93]
1 August 2009 Goldie Sine Tempore BBC Concert Orchestra Charles Hazelwood Royal Albert Hall BBC Commission; World Première for BBC Evolution! Prom (Prom 21 and 23).[87][93]
28 January 2012 Prokofiev Ivan the Terrible LPO Vladimir Jurowski Royal Festival Hall World Première (arrangement by Levon Atovmyan)[130] as part of "Prokofiev: Man of the people?" Festival.[131]
25 June 2012 and 26 June 2012 Berlioz Grande Messe des Morts LSO, LSC Sir Colin Davis St Paul's Cathedral 50th Anniversary of the City of London Festival with London Symphony Chorus [132]
29 August 2012 Herbert Howells Hymnus Paradisi BBC SO, BBC SC Martyn Brabbins Royal Albert Hall BBC Proms Première (Prom 61)[133]

International tours

Date Location Country Conductor Orchestra / Ensemble Repertoire Occasion
26 August 1979 Rathausplatz, Wilhelmshaven Germany Fregatten-Kapitän Hermann Goldbeck Marinemusikkorps Nordsee Bruckner Mass No. 2 (E Minor) Church Service "Jesus Christ the beautiful world"'
for the "Wochenende an der Jade" Festival[38]
22 September 1985 Chiesa Di San Domenico, Perugia Italy Klaus Tennstedt LPO Beethoven Ninth
23 September 1985 Haydn Die Schöpfung
24 September 1985 Teatro Grande, Pompeii Beethoven Ninth
8 December 1988 Opéra National de Lyon France Kent Nagano LPO Saint François d'Assise
(Saint Francis of Assisi)
17 March 1994 Teatro Roméo, Murcia Spain Jeremy Jackman Hertfordshire Chamber Orchestra Haydn Te Deum
Beethoven Mass in C
18 March 1994 Teatro Arriaga, Bilbao
25 April 1998 Teatro Real, Madrid Spain García Navarro Orquesta Sinfonica De Madrid Tippett A Child of our Time
24 February 2000 Palau De La Música, Valencia Spain García Navarro Orquesta de Valencia Beethoven Missa Solemnis
25 February 2000
26 February 2000
Teatro Real, Madrid
15 June 2000 Dm Kultury, Teplice Czech Republic Ulrich Backofen Radio Symphony Orchestra Warszawa Verdi Requiem Saxon Bohemian Music Festival
16 June 2000 Kreuzkirche, Dresden Germany
28 December 2000 St. Mary's Basilica, Kraków (Kosciól Mariacki) Poland Gilbert Levine (A Capella) Bogurodzica (Mother of God) 1000 Year Anniversary of the Diocese of Kraków
LPO Beethoven Ninth
7 January 2003 Teatro Guimerá, Santa Cruz de Tenerife Spain Víctor Pablo Pérez Orquesta Sinfónica de Tenerife Verdi Requiem XIX Festival de Música de Canarias
9 January 2003 Auditorio Alfredo Kraus, Las Palmas de Gran Canaria
17 January 2004 Paul VI Audience Hall, Vatican City Italy Gilbert Levine Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra Mahler Symphony No. 2
John Harbison's Abraham
Papal Concert of Reconciliation
15 April 2004
16 April 2004
Hong Kong Cultural Centre Concert Hall, Hong Kong China Samuel Wong Hong Kong Philharmonic Orchestra Haydn, The Creation
26 April 2004 Théâtre du Châtelet, Paris France Esa-Pekka Salonen Philharmonia Orchestra Mahler Symphony No. 2
15 January 2005 Athens Concert Hall, Athens Greece Kurt Masur LPO Beethoven Ninth
17 June 2005
18 June 2005
19 June 2005
Dewan Filharmonik Petronas, Kuala Lumpur Malaysia Jaap van Zweden Malaysian Philharmonic Orchestra Alto Rhapsody
Beethoven Ninth
21 June 2005 Neville Creed Iain Farrington (organ) various[134]
24 June 2005
25 June 2005
Perth Concert Hall Australia Matthias Bamert West Australian Symphony Orchestra Beethoven Missa Solemnis
29 July 2005 Cologne Cathedral Germany Gilbert Levine Royal Philharmonic Orchestra Beethoven Missa Solemnis World Youth Day 2005
6 September 2005 Kultur- und Kongresszentrum Luzern, Lucerne Switzerland Kurt Masur LPO Beethoven Ninth
24 November 2005 St John Lateran, Rome Italy Paolo Olmi LPO Rossini Stabat Mater Rome IV Festival Internazionale di Musica e Arte Sacra
21 February 2008 St. John's Cathedral, Hong Kong China Neville Creed Iain Farrington (organ) various
23 February 2008 Hong Kong Cultural Centre Edo de Waart Hong Kong Philharmonic Orchestra Stravinsky's Symphony of Psalms,
Rachmaninoff's The Bells
Hong Kong Arts Festival
1 January 2009 Bartók Béla Nemzeti Hangversenyterem, Palace of Arts, Budapest Hungary Ádám Fischer LPO Haydn Die Schöpfung
20 April 2012 Le Palais des Sports, Le Touquet-Paris-Plage France George Pehlivanian Orchestra of The Academy of Music, Ljubljana,
Orchestra of The Academy of Music, Riga,
Orchestra of The Teresa Berganza Conservatoire, Madrid
Beethoven Ninth Touquet International Music Masters
28 February 2013 Théâtre des Champs-Elysées, Paris France Vladimir Jurowski LPO Kurt Weill's Die Dreigroschenoper

References

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Sources

  • Snowman, Daniel (2007). Hallelujah! An informal history of the London Philharmonic Choir, London: London Philharmonic Choir.

External links

This page was last modified 11.03.2014 15:45:26

This article uses material from the article London Philharmonic Choir from the free encyclopedia Wikipedia and it is licensed under the GNU Free Documentation License.