John Barbirolli

Sir John (Giovanni Battista) Barbirolli (December 2, 1899 - July 29, 1970), was a British conductor and cellist who led the London Symphony Orchestra and the London Philharmonic Orchestra, among many others.

Early Years 1899-1937

A Londoner, from a musical family, his father and uncle being violinists in London theatre orchestras, notably the Leicester Square Empire, though they had also played at la Scala, Milan, under Toscanini. Thus the young John was destined to be a string player, a specialist in British Music, and to have a love of Italian Opera.

Related Topics:
London - Violin - La Scala - Milan - Toscanini

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

As a young cellist he made some acoustic records, played in the London Symphony Orchestra (LSO), notably at the first performance of Elgar's Cello Concerto, and was soon after the soloist in the second performance of the work. In the 1920s he turned to conducting and formed a chamber orchestra which recorded new works for the National Gramophone Society, notably Elgar's Introduction and Allegro, which may have been responsible for His Master's Voice avoiding the work until after Elgar's death.

Related Topics:
London Symphony Orchestra - Elgar - National Gramophone Society - Elgar - Introduction and Allegro - His Master's Voice

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Barbirolli became known for his ability to secure effective performances at short notice, and in the 1930's made many recordings with the LSO and London Philharmonic, accompanying concertos with leading soloists such as Kreisler, Heifetz and Rubinstein, most of which remain classics today.

Related Topics:
LSO - London Philharmonic - Concerto - Kreisler - Heifetz - Rubinstein

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~