We’ve been the oldest, freshest and most adventurous chamber orchestra in the UK since 1949.
Set up over 75 years ago by Harry Blech to perform the works of Mozart and Haydn, our mission has evolved into creating bold, ambitious and accessible musical experiences for all. We are proud to be at the forefront of embedding arts and culture into the life of communities across the UK and beyond, performing both new works and music that stays true to our roots.
We work with schools and music hubs around the UK and beyond to inspire the next generation of musicians and music lovers. We’re continuing our long tradition of promoting young talent: Nicola Benedetti, Jacqueline du Pré and Yan Pascal Tortelier are just three of many young musical virtuosi championed early in their careers by us.
We are based at Fairfield Halls in Croydon and have residencies at St John’s, Upper Norwood, Thaxted Festival and Grayshott Concerts. Jonathan Bloxham has served as our Principal Conductor and Artistic Advisor since July 2025.
Collaborating with many of the world’s greatest soloists and conductors, our work is made in Croydon and celebrated across the globe.
You can call us LMP
When our orchestra was born over 75 years ago, we had a different name. Back then, we were The Haydn–Mozart Society. As the name suggests, our founding members were dedicating to performing and celebrating the music of these two classical composers (with the caveat that from time to time we might branch out to other music).
As our orchestra grew and evolved, so did our identity. It didn’t take long before we streamlined things a little. The ‘Haydn’ quietly stepped aside, and we began introducing ourselves to the world as London Mozart Players in the early 1950s.
We know that our name can be a little confusing. We perform all over the world and we play everything from the Baroque to the brand-new. But staying connected to our history matters to us. We’ve given ourselves the space to experiment and find our role as an orchestra in the 21st century, while still staying true to our roots and maintaining our love for Mozart. He’s still a big part of who we are and you’ll find us marking our major milestones with his music.
These days, though, we like keep it simple: LMP. Shorter, snappier, friendlier – and very much still us.
A trip down memory lane
1949
Formation
LMP (then called The Haydn-Mozart society) is founded by Artistic Director Harry Blech, who gives the first concert at Wigmore Hall; an all-Mozart programme featuring violinist Neville Marriner.
1951
We give our first performance at Southbank Centre’s Royal Festival Hall for the Festival of Britain.
1956
We embark on our first international tours, including visits to Amsterdam, Italy and Germany
1962
Jacqueline du Pré performs with us whilst still a student at the Guildhall School of Music & Drama.
1964
Conducted by Harry Blech, we give our first performance at Fairfield Halls (the place we will come to call home) with the pianist Vladimir Ashkenazy. In the same year, we also make our debut at the BBC Proms.
1964
Stravinsky (yes, the Stravinsky) conducts LMP in a concert of his own works at the Athens Festival
1982
Sir Mark Elder is appointed as our Principal Guest Conductor.
1981
Harry Blech retires and Jane Glover is appointed as our Artistic Director. She launches a ‘Mozart Explored’ programme (sound familiar? The series is still going today with Howard Shelley!). Jane broadens LMP’s repertoire and leads extensive touring in Europe and East Asia.
1982
Jane Glover presents the BBC TV series Mozart – his life with Music in which LMP features.
1989
Our ties with Croydon become tight as we’re officially made the Resident Orchestra of Fairfield Halls
1988
HRH The Duke of Edinburgh is appointed as our Royal Patron. To this day, he plays an active part in the life of the orchestra by supporting events at Windsor Castle, St James’s Palace and Buckingham Palace.
1990
After an international tour with violinist Vanessa Mae, Jane Glover retires as our Artistic Director. In steps her successor, Matthias Bamert, alongside Howard Shelley in a new role as Associate Conductor.
1999
Andrew Parrott takes up the position of Music Director and James Galway becomes our Principal Guest Conductor. We celebrate our 50th birthday with the same all-Mozart programme that we performed in our very first concert.
2006
Our fifteenth performance at the BBC Proms includes music by Schnittke and Mozart.
2014
Our players take over the running of the orchestra.
2019
As our home, Fairfield Halls, shuts for refurbishment, we move our offices to St John’s Upper Norwood to become an orchestra embedded within the community
2021
Fairfield re-opens after its makeover just in time for us to celebrate our 70th birthday there.
2022
Our offices head back to Fairfield and St John’s, Upper Norwood evolves into our community base. A few months later, Jonathan Bloxham is appointed as Conductor-in-Residence and Artistic Advisor
2023
We launch Croydon’s year as London Borough of Culture with Oratorio of Hope which is nominated for a prestigious Royal Philharmonic Society Award.
2024
It’s our 75th birthday and we celebrate at Fairfield Halls with a recreation of a Mozart concert from 1873 (harking back to our roots) and the culmination of our community-driven 100 Faces of Croydon photography and music project.
2025
Building on our close relationship, Jonathan Bloxham is given a new role as our Principal Conductor and Artistic Advisor.
