So the word is out.

Finally after literally years the London Philharmonic Orchestra has published its 16/17 season. It was back in April 2014 just after I became chairman, that I met Tim Walker, CEO and Artistic Director of the LPO, and talked of this season’s choral works. Did he think we could manage the number of concerts? Bring it on, said I, and what a season it is!

Missa Solemnis with our new President Sir Mark Elder, the Creation with our ex-President Sir Roger Norrington, a Mozart Requiem with Nathalie Stutzmann and the mighty Mahler 8 with Vladimir Jurowski. No eastern European languages to learn, just fantastic core choral repertoire. Buttressing these concerts are a yet to be revealed Prom concert in the summer and Beethoven’s 9th with Christoph Eschenbach in May 2017.

Adding to these are our Raymond Gubbay concerts, which following all the hard work we have put in this last season comprise a Verdi Requiem, a Messiah in frocks, the usual Classical Spectaculars, a couple of Christmas gigs and another Beethoven’s 9th. No excuse for not singing it from memory, this time around. Even the BBC has got in on the act booking us for Berlioz Requiem at the Albert Hall in November.

All in all, a fabulous season.

As our Artistic Director Neville Creed has reflected, the Mahler 8 also includes the Tallis’s Spem in Alium and while we’ll be joined by a yet undecided second choir for the Mahler, it’ll be just the LPC for Spem in Alium. For those who don’t know, this is a 40-part motet, and as such presents a different type of challenge for us. Thus we’re looking at a performance/recording this autumn or in early 2017 before we get to the Festival Hall. This is event is likely to be focused at performing the work rather than raising funds.

The Mahler 8 is also the night we intend to celebrate the Choir’s 70th birthday. We’re looking at a Festival Hall reception after the concert. There had been talk of us taking the Mahler to Paris the day after London. Fortunately, this isn’t going ahead so we can enjoy our birthday party without the fear of having to get up early the day after. Sadly, we have no foreign tours in the pipeline this season, but we’re constantly looking for opportunities and following up leads.

Last Saturday we hosted a very successful Choral Workshop and welcomed several new members into the LPC fold. The day also gave existing members the chance to catch-up with friends old and new, enjoy singing some repertoire not usually included in our concerts and sample each other’s culinary skills in the LPC Bake Off. We will definitely be repeating this event so keep an eye on the LPC Facebook page for details.

Our biggest challenge for 16/17 is likely to be providing the number of singers required by our conductors. While we’re maintaining our high standards of quality we’re always looking to increase quantity to give us more flexibility around balance. That’s why we’re putting so much effort into Membership and social events. Recruitment and retention are our current buzz words!

If you’re interested in singing with us for the wonderful concerts we have coming up please Join Us!

Ian Frost
Chairman