The Queen: A word from Simon Rattle and ‘her’ orchestra

The Queen: A word from Simon Rattle and ‘her’ orchestra

News

norman lebrecht

September 09, 2022

The London Symphony Orchestra and its outgoing music director have issued this tribute:

A further video shows pictures from the Queen’s backstage visits over seven decades.

Comments

  • Tamino says:

    Impressive, how fast they gathered for producing this touching tribute, including production crew.

    Can someone explain to us Non-Brits, why it is the LSO, not the ROYAL Philharmonic, that was ‘Her’ orchestra?

    If it were up to me, I would have played Elgar’s Nimrod, followed by SSR speech, followed by the anthem.

    • Claudio says:

      I think that ‘London Bridge is down’ operation (dedicated to HM death) has already all these videos and tributes prepared in advance, at least at all the newspapers and TV. I think that LSO was included to this plan as well.

    • Santipab says:

      It’s possible it was prepared ahead of time but the LSO may also have been rehearsing at St Lukes yesterday as their Barbican season starts on Sunday.

    • Dave says:

      You’d need to have that explained to Brits as well; just a bit of PR for the LSO I reckon, as QE2 was as likely to attend other bands’ gigs as well. As to orchestra names, these are just names; I don’t believe that Royal means the RPO have any special patronage.

    • Elizabeth Owen says:

      If you listen to Simon Rattle’s speech, he explains that the Queen was Patron of the LSO from the start of her reign.

      • IC225 says:

        Her late Majesty was also the patron of several other UK orchestras, including the Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra and Chorus (bit of a clue in the name there), the Royal Scottish National Orchestra (ditto) and the Royal Northern Sinfonia (you get the idea). The LSO had no uniquely special relationship with the Queen but it does have a uniquely polished PR machine and a uniquely high opinion of its own importance.

      • Tamino says:

        I know that. Let me rephrase my question: what does the ‘Royal’ in the Royal Phil’s name stand for, if not for a patronage of the … Royal?

    • Marial says:

      But it wasn’t up to you! It’s not a time for musical criticism, and they acted as they did on their feet extremely quickly.

    • Ilio says:

      https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Royal_Philharmonic_Orchestra

      See above for how the RPO got it’s “Royal” designation

  • IP says:

    Maybe you should explain that Sir Simon is on the first picture and HM on the second. The resemblance grows by the day and has become quite confusing.

  • freddynyc says:

    What is the name of this venue? The acoustics are astounding……

  • E.R. says:

    She was also, from the beginning, beautiful, and vivacious, and remained so
    all her life. God rest her. Indeed,
    “we shall not see her like again.” How blessed, to have lived during her time and reign.

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