Beecham conducts Overtures
Berlioz: Le Corsaire; Mendelssohn: Midsummer Night's Dream, The Fair Melusina; Rossini: La gazza ladra, La scala di seta, Semiramide; Suppe: Poet and Peasant; *Wagner: Die Meistersinger von Nürnberg
Royal Philharmonic Orchestra/Sir Thomas Beecham
EMI Classics 7 63407 2 | Stereo, *Mono ADD
Berlioz: Le Corsaire; Mendelssohn: Midsummer Night's Dream, The Fair Melusina; Rossini: La gazza ladra, La scala di seta, Semiramide; Suppe: Poet and Peasant; *Wagner: Die Meistersinger von Nürnberg
Royal Philharmonic Orchestra/Sir Thomas Beecham
EMI Classics 7 63407 2 | Stereo, *Mono ADD
Here is another CD that for some reason or other EMI has failed to reissue. The Rossini overtures appeared in the early 2000's on a short lived fundraiser CD for UNESCO where it was paired with recordings by Sargent and Serafin. The Wagner was reissued on BBC Classics some years back. But the remainder rests comfortably in the EMI vaults gathering dust.
If you love Beecham's way with music and haven't heard this yet, you must hear this CD. If you're unfamiliar with Beecham's art, this and my earlier post of his "Lollipops" make for a great introduction to the man and his work. For me, this disc is worth hearing just for the pert, beautiful winds in Mendelssohn's The Fair Melusina alone. The lovely opening is as magical and lyrical as one could ever hope to hear. The gentle breeze of a clear spring day.
The sound is good and airy early stereo, except for the Wagner which was recorded for a BBC broadcast from Maida Vale. That work is recorded in mono.
This is one of the discs I reach for to listen when my life is feeling out of sorts.
If you love Beecham's way with music and haven't heard this yet, you must hear this CD. If you're unfamiliar with Beecham's art, this and my earlier post of his "Lollipops" make for a great introduction to the man and his work. For me, this disc is worth hearing just for the pert, beautiful winds in Mendelssohn's The Fair Melusina alone. The lovely opening is as magical and lyrical as one could ever hope to hear. The gentle breeze of a clear spring day.
The sound is good and airy early stereo, except for the Wagner which was recorded for a BBC broadcast from Maida Vale. That work is recorded in mono.
This is one of the discs I reach for to listen when my life is feeling out of sorts.
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Thank you, Problemsolverbär! Beecham's michief making personality is good company in times of trouble. I always remember the story of him walking on to conduct some sort of ballet for male dancers. He winked at the orchestra and whispered "This will make their balls hop!" and set of at a spanking pace.
ReplyDeleteI've often used this expression to set the tempo in chamber music..
@RonanM
ReplyDeleteThank you for the Beecham anecdote. They don't make them like that anymore! I'm glad you enjoyed the recording.