100 Years On, Symphony Still Going Strong

The London Symphony Orchestra (LSO), acknowledged as one of the best in the world, is to share its 100th birthday celebrations with a Beijing audience.

The orchestra is to stage a special performance at the Poly Theatre on March 6, during which it will showcase a diverse slice of its extensive repertoire.

The well-travelled outfit is staging a tour of the Far East as it celebrates its centenary. Since giving its inaugural concert in 1904, the LSO has been associated with a string of musical geniuses including Hans Richter, Sir Thomas Beecham, Claudio Abbado, Leonard Bernstein, Mstislav Rostropovich and the orchestra's current Principal Conductor, Sir Colin Davis.

In 1906, it was the first orchestra to travel overseas when it visited Paris. Its pioneering spirit subsequently took the LSO to the United States in 1912, Israel in 1960 and Japan in 1963. In 1966, the LSO became the first British orchestra to be invited to appear at the prestigious Salzburg Festival.

Daniel Harding, the youngest ever conductor of the famous BBC Promenade Concerts, made his professional debut with the orchestra in 1994 and will conduct its performance in China.

The programme on March 6 will include Benjamin Britten's Four Sea Interludes from Peter Grimes, Firebird Suite by Igor Stravinsky and Dmitri Shostokovich's powerful No. 5 Symphony. Sponsored by Rolls Royce, the LSOs 2004 concert tour will also include Singapore, Hong Kong and Beijing.

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Venue: Poly Theatre

Time: 7:30pm, March 6

Admission: 2800, 1800, 800, 600 yuan

Tel: 6506-5345/3