The London Philharmonic Orchestra in pictures

Founded in 1932, the LPO has gone on to become one of the most respected ensembles in the UK and beyond. Here we look back at some of the milestones in its long history.

1. 

   1. An orchestra for all of time and space…

   The LPO's regular conductor has been replaced by a cyberman! Luckily it's only as part of a promotion for 'Doctor Who' in 2013. More usually, this world-class ensemble is conducted by Vladimir Jurowski, its current principal conductor and artistic advisor. Scroll through the gallery to find out about the orchestra's illustrious history. Photo: PA

2. 

   2. Sir Thomas Beecham

   A conductor as famous for his acerbic wit as his musical talent, Beecham conducted the orchestra on its very first outing at the Queen’s Hall, London, on 7 October 1932. Photo: Getty

3. 

   3. Yehudi Menuhin plays Elgar

   Just the following month the LPO was already attracting the best in the music business, when Elgar conducted his Violin Concerto with soloist Yehudi Menuhin. Photo: Getty

4. 

   4. Fritz Kreisler

   The LPO continued to attract the biggest names – here legendary violinist Fritz Kreisler takes a bow after performing with the orchestra in February 1935. Photo: PA

5. 

   5. Whom The Gods Love

   In a rare photograph, conductor Thomas Beecham relaxes outside an old set at the Associate Talking Pictures Studio, Ealing, where the 1936 film 'Whom the Gods Love' was filmed. The LPO recorded some of the music for the film, about the life of Mozart, and Beecham even appeared in it. Photo: PA

7. 

   6. Adrian Boult

   Conductor Adrian Boult became the orchestra’s chief conductor in 1950, a position he held until 1959. This picture, from 1969, shows the conductor on his 80th birthday with a cake from the LPO. Photo: Getty

8. 

   7. Lawrence of Arabia

   The score for David Lean’s 1962 epic has become one of the most famous pieces of film music of all time – and it was recorded by the LPO.

9. 

   8. Pablo Casals

   In September 1963, Pablo Casals, one of the greatest cellists of all time took to the podium to conduct the LPO in the UK premiere of his oratorio 'El Pessebre'. Photo: PA

10. 

    9. Glyndebourne

    In May 1964 the LPO arrived at the country house owned by John Christie to perform Verdi’s 'Macbeth'. The LPO are now one of the festival’s resident orchestras. Here, members of the orchestra take a break from rehearsals for a game of croquet… Photo: Getty

11. 

    10. Bernard Haitink

    In 1967 Bernard Haitink was appointed principal conductor and in 1970 he took the orchestra on tour in the US for the first time. Photo: Getty

13. 

    11. The Far East

    In 1973 the LPO celebrated its 40th anniversary and became the first Western orchestra to perform in China. Malcolm Sargent (pictured) and John Pritchard conducted the ensemble during the tour, which also included concerts in India, Hong Kong, Manilla, Colombo and Australia. Photo: PA

14. 

    12. Georg Solti

    The notoriously fiery conductor Georg Solti took over as principal conductor in 1979 and remained in post until 1983. Photo: Getty

15. 

    13. Lord of the Rings

    Howard Shore’s music for the 'Lord of the Rings' trilogy (2001-2003) broke new ground for film music – and once again it was the LPO who brought the music to life.

16. 

    14. Vladimir Jurowski

    In 2003 Vladimir Jurowski was appointed principal guest conductor of the LPO and in 2007 he took on the role of the orchestra's principal conductor, a position he still holds. Photo: Richard Cannon

17. 

    15. Olympic achievement

    In 2011 the LPO were chosen as the orchestra to record each country’s national anthem ahead of the London 2012 Olympic games. Here triple-jump Olympic gold-medallist Jonathan Edwards poses with members of the LPO. Photo: Getty

19. 

    16. Jubilee pageant

    In 2012, London turned out to watch The Queen’s Diamond Jubilee Pageant – and got thoroughly soaked to the skin. Luckily the LPO, who were performing as part of the occasion, were in a boat with a roof. Photo: Peter Nall

20. 

    17. John Suchet

    In June 2013 Classic FM’s very own John Suchet joined the LPO for a performance of Britten’s much-loved 'Young Persons Guide to the Orchestra'. The stunning setting was the Guildhall, London. Photo: PA

21. 

    18. Royal Festival Hall

    The orchestra, which performed in the very first concert at the Royal Festival Hall, is now one of the venue’s four resident orchestras – the others being the London Sinfonietta, the Orchestra of the Age of Enlightenment and the Philharmonia. Photo: Richard Cannon

22. 

    19. A historic ensemble

    The LPO, shown here with its current principal conductor and artistic advisor, Vladimir Jurowski, is regarded as one of the best orchestras working today. Photo: Richard Cannon

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