Gerald Newson, double bass, London Symphony Orchestra

[Shelbourner]

Has he been the only Kiwi ever to join the LSO?

[Lso]

@Shelbourner we used to have a viola player called Glynne Adams who lives in NZ now – we think he is a Kiwi by birth. He was Principal for a couple of years in the late sixties. Also one Clarence Atkinson, a viola player for almost 20 years, we think was a Kiwi. A couple more Australians, but not that many from New Zealand! A couple of Admin staff have been Kiwis, the most recent left only last week!

[leslieq79]

Of course, I do know the clip. Thanks

[leslieq79]

Am I missing a pun or joke at 3'45" - "The Arrival of Mr Preview" title when talking about Maestro Andre Previn?

[Lso]

It refers to Andre Previn's appearance with the LSO on the Morecambe and Wise show in 1977 (I think) - they referred to him as Mr Preview throughout, and it's become something of a famous joke! There's a clip on YouTube of the segment, just search for it, it's brilliant even now.

[peterson719]

is he a homosapien?

[Lso]

If by this you mean the noun Homo Sapiens ie the only surviving hominid; species to which modern man belongs; bipedal primate having language and ability to make and use complex tools; brain volume at least 1400 cc, then I think we could say yes he is.