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PRESS RELEASE

The London Symphony Chorus celebrates its 40th Anniversary with concerts, recordings, commissions and a party

The London Symphony Chorus made its debut on Saturday 21 May 1966 when it recorded Mahler's Symphony No 2 for Decca at the Kingsway Hall with Sir Georg Solti and the LSO.

On its 40th birthday the Chorus will be taking part in a concert performance of Beethoven’s Fidelio to be recorded for LSO Live, conducted by its President Sir Colin Davis. The 40th anniversary will also be marked by a concert of Ralph Vaughan Williams’ A Sea Symphony with the LSO on 4th June, conducted by the Chorus’ Conductor Emeritus and former Music Director Richard Hickox. The LSC Endowment Fund is contributing to the cost of recording this concert; live for Chandos.

2006 is a landmark year for the London Symphony Chorus as it tours to the USA, Italy, France and Germany, as well as performing in London and other UK cities with Sir Colin Davis, Sir Bernard Haitink, Mark Elder, Valery Gergiev, Richard Hickox, James Judd, Neema Jarvi, Tadaaki Otaka, Daniel Gatti, Vasily Petrenko and Jean-Claude Casadesus.

The Chorus will also be commissioning several new works to mark the Anniversary, to add to its previous commissions from Michael Berkeley, Sir John Tavener, Sir Peter Maxwell Davies and Jonathan Dove.

The young American composer Nora Kroll Rosenbaum has been commissioned by the American Friends of the London Symphony Chorus to write a choral work which reflects the four decades to be performed in both London and New York.

And of course there is a party where the current 200 singers will celebrate with former members who are travelling from Australia, Singapore, Hong Kong, New York, and Washington for a reunion and celebration at The Hurlingham Club.

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Notes for Editors

Chorus Director: Joseph Cullen

Chairman: James Warbis

Administrator: Ruth Wheal lscadmin@tiscali.co.uk tel 01708 731324

A short history of the LSC and photos are available from the Administrator

To request photographs or further information, please contact our administrator on 44 1708 731324.