1960s

• Australia, 1966 Australia, 1966
• Leonard Bernstein, 1966 Leonard Bernstein, 1966
• Board of Directors, 1963 Board of Directors, 1963
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1960

LSO International Series is initiated.

1961

Pierre Monteux becomes Principal Conductor (1961–64) at the age of 86, stipulating a 25-year contract with a renewal clause.

1963

The LSO records Britten’s War Requiem with the composer conducting.

The Board of Trustees is set up to receive and administer funds for the well-being and financial stability of the Orchestra. The committee includes Benjamin Britten, Robert Mayer, Sir Jack Lyons and five members of the LSO Board of Directors.

First British orchestra to visit Japan, with Pierre Monteux, Antal Dorati and Georg Solti. BBC TV, with David Attenborough directing, accompany the Orchestra to make a Monitor programme.

1964

The LSO makes its first World Tour: to Israel, Turkey, Iran, India, Hong Kong, Korea, Japan and the United States, where they give a concert at the United Nations HQ in New York.

1965

István Kertész is appointed Principal Conductor (1965–68).

Jacqueline du Pré records Elgar’s Cello Concerto with Sir John Barbirolli conducting.

Negotiations with the Corporation of the City of London regarding Barbican residency begin.

1966

First season as resident orchestra at the Florida International Festival.

Leonard Bernstein conducts the LSO for the first time, in a performance of Mahler’s Symphony No 7 at the Royal Festival Hall.

Second World Tour including the Far East and Australia, conducted by István Kertész and Colin Davis.

LSO Chorus formed with John Alldis as chorus master.

1967

The LSO visits Florida again, this time accompanied by J B Priestley, who writes about his experiences in the book Trumpets over the Sea.

The BBC makes a documentary film about the LSO, called We Are The Music Makers.

1968

André Previn conducts his first concert as Principal Conductor, a Gala in aid of the LSO Trust, with Jacqueline du Pré. Previn spent eleven years as the LSO’s Principal Conductor (1968–79), the longest period of any LSO Principal Conductor thus far.