Close
Menu

About

Sinfonia of London is an award-winning orchestra, directed by conductor John Wilson

Often described as a ‘super-orchestra’ (ArtsDesk), it brings together outstanding musicians from the UK and abroad, including principals and leaders from other orchestras, notable soloists and members of distinguished chamber groups.

‘Sinfonia of London sets the gold standard – an orchestra of generals that takes the unfashionable, the obscure, the overlooked, and makes it unmissable.’ (The Sunday Times)

The orchestra comes together for special projects throughout the year, including concerts and recordings, to create exceptional musical experiences.

LIVE CONCERTS

Sinfonia of London made its live debut in 2021, at the BBC Proms. As well as subsequent annual BBC Proms appearances, it has given performances at the Aldeburgh Festival and Snape Maltings, and two concert tours of the UK.

Exhilarating performances continue to achieve five-star reviews in the press, cementing a reputation for world-class excellence. The orchestra is regularly featured on BBC Radio 3, BBC Four, iPlayer and Marquee TV.

‘A performance on the kind I thought we could only hear in our dreams' (iNews)



RECORDINGS

Reviving a legendary studio orchestra of the same name, (originally founded in 1955), the current Sinfonia of London maintains a busy recording schedule.

Since its relaunch in 2018, it has recorded no fewer than 30 albums of music for Chandos Records, to consistent and exceptional critical acclaim. It has received multiple industry awards and its work regularly reaches No.1 in the Specialist Classical Charts.

‘Generations will thank John Wilson for this glorious recording. Ravel’s ballet is infused with Hollywood golden age lushness by the conductor’s outstanding hand-picked supergroup. Astonishing detail … playing so tight it seems the whole thing might burst.’ (The Guardian)

Previous history

  • 1955 – 1969

    The original Sinfonia of London was founded in 1955 by flautist Gordon Walker, for the purpose of recording music for the film industry. Walker chose personnel from the most famous musical ensembles of the day, creating an orchestra of outstanding virtuosity. Sinfonia of London appeared in the musical credits of over three hundred British and American films of the 1950s and ’60s, including the 1958 soundtrack by Bernard Herrmann for Hitchcock’s Vertigo. Among their most celebrated gramophone recordings were Sir Colin Davis’ first discs of Mozart Symphonies and Sir John Barbirolli’s famous recording of English Music for Strings.

  • 1982 – 2002

    In 1982 the title Sinfonia of London was taken over by Peter Willison and Howard Blake for the purpose of recording the music for the animated children’s classic The Snowman. Under their management, the orchestra went on to record many soundtracks for major Hollywood films, including Batman, The Mummy Returns, Lara Croft: Tomb Raider, Lost in Space, The Lawnmower Man, Stargate, Tombstone, RoboCop and Young Sherlock Holmes. The orchestra also worked extensively in the field of TV, video gaming and pop tours.