'The Other LSO' TV programme from 1973

[@justindumlao]

Seeing the whole programme now gives excellent context of Previn’s professionalism and gentle firmness. Yes, he does stop the orchestra with a “No!” from time to time, but also gives context and professional respect.

[@maxstanford4650]

I can't count the number of times I played that overture ten and more years earlier with what was then known as the County School of Music. Some string blunders here that I think my lot might not have made----

[@john1951w]

Rose tinted glasses perhaps or just memories as a teenager? Eric Pinkett said that he was always in despair when he recorded the orchestra in the early 60s and heard how cruel the microphone could be. There were some terrific players in the 1963-64 era (Rolf Wilson, Nigel Pinkett etc) but I have a recording of the 1964 LSSO playing Berlioz and Elgar and it is, I hate to say it, terrible. The 1967 band improved sufficiently to make the Pye record (warts and all and thin string tone) but the late 70s and 80s LSO reached much higher levels especially in the strings. One thing did change after Eric Pinkett retired. You had to be at grade 8 and audition to get into the orchestra. Far higher standards than Eric's time but I bet it wasn't as much fun.

[@billbrookman923]

We play exactly on the beat. I still cannot work out how professional orchestras have, for as long as I have listened, played behind the beat.