The Show Must Go On: On Tour with the LSO in 1912 & 2012

by Gareth Davies

A memoir of the London Symphony Orchestra on tour in the U.S. and beyond, focusing on their historical first visit to America in 1912 when they were due to sail on the Titanic, and their most recent travels

Gareth Davies, principal flautist at the London Symphont Orchestra (LSO), tells the remarkable story of a groundbreaking expedition with the use of recently discovered diaries, archive material from London and New York, and newspaper reports from the time. A behind-the-scenes account of the LSO's current worldwide touring schedule finds that a surprising number of the same challenges remain. Readers join Gareth and his colleagues as they contend with airports, volcanoes, travel strikes, illness, and even life-and-death situations. As well as vivid descriptions of sitting center stage surrounded by music and working with Haitink, Gergiev, and Sir Colin Davis, readers get to glimpse into the backstage goings on and see inside the mind of a professional musician as never before. Written by someone at the center of the action, this book follows the travels of two musicians, a century apart in the same orchestra.

Genres: Music, Nonfiction

156 pages, Kindle Edition

First published January 1, 2013

Reviews

[Ariadna73 · Rating 4 out of 5]

I read this book because I am always fascinated with the idea of reality behind the glamorous appearances of artists and performers. I know that artists must look perfect, happy, well put and must never fail. But I also know that there is a reality of work and effort behind this illusion, and I have always liked to have a better glimpse at it.

Gareth Davies is a musician, a flautist who works with the London Symphony Orchestra. He is obviously a very accomplished artist; otherwise he wouldn't be performing in such important body.

Davies is also a blogger since 2007, and he likes to write about the adventures and misadventures of life on the road as a very important artistic group.

This is the jacket and some pictures of the book I read:

https://www.goodreads.com/Ariadna73

Here is the editorial information. This book was published in 2013, and all the photos belong to the LSO.

 
 
 
Finally, some pictures of posters, musicians, and information about the author. This book is entertaining, and I am now a fan of the blog, even now that he doesn't seem to have much activity.  Anyway, it is worth a visit for what is in there right now: http://www.garethdaviesonline.com/blog
As far as my own content goes, I also have a blog, if you want to visit it:
http://lunairereadings.blogspot.com

[QuyAn · Rating 4 out of 5]

I came to know this book after reading a blog post of the author about his recent trip to Hanoi. His natural storytelling style, his British sense of humour, his detailed observation, which initially grabbed my attention, also makes this book a fun read. I like the idea and his effort to put the 1912 trip of the London Symphony Orchestra to America and the 2012 constantly moving life of the orchestra in parallel, although I prefer the current stories as they sound much brighter.

[Adrian · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fabulous book, made up of diary entries, so easy to read and insightful into the life of orchestral musicians both now and a over 100 years ago....and not just any orchestra (London Symphony Orchestra)!