Role

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Ensemble

 

The Orchestra of St. John's is a classical music ensemble based in London, England. Founded in 1967 by conductor and composer John Lubbock, the orchestra has become one of the most respected and innovative ensembles in the UK. John Lubbock was born in 1946 in London and began his musical career as a violinist. He studied at the Royal Academy of Music and later became a member of the London Philharmonic Orchestra. In 1967, Lubbock founded the Orchestra of St. John's with the aim of creating a chamber orchestra that would perform in a more intimate setting than the larger orchestras of the time. The orchestra's first performance was in the church of St. John's, Smith Square, in London. The concert was a success, and the orchestra quickly gained a reputation for its high-quality performances and innovative programming. Over the years, the orchestra has performed in many of the UK's most prestigious concert halls, including the Royal Albert Hall, the Barbican Centre, and the Southbank Centre. One of the highlights of the orchestra's early years was its performance of Handel's Messiah in 1970. The performance was conducted by John Lubbock and featured soloists such as Felicity Palmer and Robert Tear. The concert was a critical and commercial success, and it helped to establish the orchestra's reputation as one of the UK's leading ensembles. In the 1980s, the orchestra began to expand its repertoire to include contemporary music. In 1984, the orchestra premiered John Tavener's The Protecting Veil, which became one of the composer's most popular works. The orchestra also worked with other contemporary composers such as Arvo Pärt and Henryk Górecki. In 1990, the orchestra embarked on a tour of the United States, which included performances in New York, Boston, and Washington, D.C. The tour was a great success, and it helped to raise the orchestra's profile in the US. In 1992, the orchestra was awarded the Royal Philharmonic Society Award for Best Chamber Ensemble. The award was a recognition of the orchestra's commitment to innovative programming and high-quality performances. In the years that followed, the orchestra continued to perform and record a wide range of music, from baroque and classical to contemporary and world music. The orchestra also became known for its educational work, which included workshops and concerts for young people. One of the orchestra's most memorable performances was its 2005 concert at the Royal Albert Hall, which featured a performance of Beethoven's Ninth Symphony. The concert was conducted by John Lubbock and featured soloists such as Felicity Lott and Thomas Allen. The concert was a sell-out, and it received rave reviews from critics and audiences alike. In 2017, the orchestra celebrated its 50th anniversary with a series of concerts and events. The celebrations included a performance of Handel's Messiah at St. John's, Smith Square, which was conducted by John Lubbock. Today, the Orchestra of St. John's continues to be one of the UK's leading classical music ensembles. The orchestra's commitment to innovative programming and high-quality performances has earned it a loyal following of fans and critics alike. With John Lubbock still at the helm, the orchestra looks set to continue its success for many years to come.

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