The London Philharmonic Orchestra

The London Philharmonic Orchestra (frequently abbreviated to LPO), based in London, is one of the major orchestras of the United Kingdom. It is based in the Royal Festival Hall. It was formed in 1932 by Thomas Beecham, and played its first concert on October 7 of that year. In 1939 it became self-governing, with members of the orchestra themselves taking decisions on the organisation's affairs. During the Second World War the Orchestra was particularly active in touring the country and bringing orchestral music to places where it was not usually available.