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The Gaumont State Orchestra was a classical music ensemble that was founded in 1937 in London, England. The orchestra was named after the Gaumont State Cinema, which was one of the largest cinemas in Europe at the time. The cinema was located in Kilburn, London, and had a seating capacity of over 4,000 people. The orchestra was formed to provide live music for the cinema's screenings of silent films. The founding members of the Gaumont State Orchestra were a group of talented musicians who had previously played in other orchestras in London. The orchestra was led by conductor and violinist Joseph Lewis, who had previously worked with the London Symphony Orchestra and the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra. Other notable members of the orchestra included cellist Anthony Pini, who later became the principal cellist of the London Symphony Orchestra, and pianist and composer Benjamin Frankel, who went on to become a well-known composer of classical music. The Gaumont State Orchestra quickly gained a reputation for its high-quality performances and became one of the most popular orchestras in London. The orchestra's repertoire included a wide range of classical music, as well as popular music and film scores. The orchestra also performed at a number of high-profile events, including the coronation of King George VI in 1937 and the Festival of Britain in 1951. One of the highlights of the Gaumont State Orchestra's career was its performance at the Royal Albert Hall in 1944. The orchestra performed a program of classical music, including works by Beethoven, Brahms, and Tchaikovsky. The performance was well-received by both critics and audiences, and helped to establish the orchestra as one of the leading classical music ensembles in London. In addition to its performances at the Gaumont State Cinema and other venues in London, the orchestra also made a number of recordings. One of its most famous recordings was of the soundtrack for the film "The Red Shoes," which was composed by Brian Easdale. The recording was released in 1948 and won an Academy Award for Best Music Score. Despite its success, the Gaumont State Orchestra faced a number of challenges in the 1950s. The rise of television and the decline of the cinema industry meant that there were fewer opportunities for the orchestra to perform. In addition, many of the orchestra's members left to join other orchestras or pursue solo careers. The Gaumont State Orchestra gave its final performance in 1959, after more than 20 years of performing together. The orchestra's legacy, however, lives on through its recordings and the memories of those who were fortunate enough to see them perform. The Gaumont State Orchestra was a testament to the power of classical music to bring people together and inspire audiences of all ages.

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