Liverpool Philharmonic Society

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The Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Society is one of the oldest concert-giving organisations in the world, and the second oldest in Britain. The origins of its concert series date back to the society's formation in 1840, the same year that the first Cunard passenger liner set sail for America. The Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra, as it was called then, acquired the title ‘Royal’ in 1957. In 1989 the RLPS and Orchestra received an Honorary Fellowship from Liverpool John Moores University and in 1991 were the first organisation to be granted the freedom of the City of Liverpool. A further honour of Meritorious Service was granted by the City of Liverpool in 1997. For three years (1880-1883) the composer Max Bruch was conductor of the orchestra, and composed his Kol Nidre for cello and orchestra while in Liverpool, dedicating it to the Jewish community of the city.