Editing Royal Liverpool Philharmonic (section)

===1900–1939===
The next principal conductor was [[Frederic Hymen Cowen|Frederic Cowen]] who remained in post until 1913.  During this time more [[Romantic music]] was played, including works by [[Edward Elgar|Elgar]], and this was not always popular with the audiences.  Although the society continued to be exclusive, there was criticism about the behaviour of its members during concerts.  Performers who appeared during this time were [[Fritz Kreisler]], and [[Sergei Rachmaninoff|Rachmaninoff]], the latter playing his [[Piano Concerto No. 3 (Rachmaninoff)|Third Piano Concerto]] and conducting other works at a concert in 1911.<ref>{{Harvnb|Henley|McKernan|2009|pp=73–83}}</ref> After the resignation of Frederic Cowen, the society did not appoint another principal conductor until 1942.<ref>{{Harvnb|Henley|McKernan|2009|p=120}}</ref>  
[[File:Bundesarchiv Bild 102-12786, Bruno Walter und Yehudin Menuhin.jpg|thumb|left|upright|[[Bruno Walter]] and the teenage prodigy [[Yehudi Menuhin]], 1931]]
During this period the orchestra was conducted by a series of guest conductors, who included [[Wilhelm Furtwängler]], [[George Szell]], [[Pierre Monteux]], [[Serge Koussevitzky]], and [[Bruno Walter]]. Soloists included [[Pablo Casals]], [[John McCormack (tenor)|John McCormack]], [[Elisabeth Schumann]], [[Yehudi Menuhin]] (his first appearance was at the age of 15), [[Solomon (pianist)|Solomon]], [[Benno Moiseiwitsch]], and [[Maggie Teyte]].<ref>{{Harvnb|Henley|McKernan|2009|p=89}}</ref> The British conductors to have a major influence on the orchestra during this time were [[Henry Wood|Sir Henry Wood]] and [[Thomas Beecham|Sir Thomas Beecham]].<ref>{{Harvnb|Henley|McKernan|2009|p=96}}</ref> During the early 1930s there was concern about the deteriorating financial situation of the society.  There was a problem in filling seats and it was suggested that the rule of wearing evening dress at concerts should be relaxed; this was turned down.<ref>{{Harvnb|Henley|McKernan|2009|pp=99–101}}</ref>

Disaster struck the society on 5 July 1933 when the Philharmonic Hall was destroyed by fire.<ref>{{Harvnb|Henley|McKernan|2009|pp=101–103}}</ref> Concerts were mainly held in the [[Grand Central Hall|Central Hall]] until a new hall could be built; larger scale works were performed in [[St George's Hall, Liverpool|St George's Hall]].<ref>{{Harvnb|Henley|McKernan|2009|p=104}}</ref> Considerable discussion took place about the financing and the design of the new hall.  It was decided that the society would pay for it without help from the City Corporation. [[Herbert James Rowse|Herbert J.&nbsp;Rowse]] was appointed as architect and he designed to hall in art deco style; it cost a little over £120,000 (£{{Formatprice|{{Inflation|UK|120000|1939|r=-4}}|0}} as of {{CURRENTYEAR}}).{{Inflation-fn|UK|df=y}}  Sir&nbsp;Thomas Beecham conducted the opening concert on 20 June 1939.  Incorporated in the hall is an organ built by [[Rushworth and Dreaper]], the pipework being hidden behind decorative grilles either side of the orchestra platform. The organ console rises from beneath, and was originally built on a turntable, allowing the organist to face the audience and conductor, or the choir. The console is now fitted with wheels and can be played anywhere on the platform. A Walturdaw rising cinema screen is also housed under the platform, the last such screen in the world still in working order.<ref>{{Harvnb|Henley|McKernan|2009|pp=111–113}}</ref>