Sir Thomas Beecham conducts French Music

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The French accent he found for the RPO in Bizet's L'Arlesienne Suites is still deliciously colourful 55 years on. This is the box to explore first if you're a fan of Beecham's lollipops...no... — Gramophone Magazine, July 2011, 4 out of 5 stars More…

Release Date: 7th Feb 2011
Catalogue No: 9099322
Label: Warner Classics
Series: Sir Thomas Beecham Edition
Length: 6 hours 44 minutes

Berlioz: Symphonie fantastique, Op. 14

Work length52:33

Album only

Orchestre National de la Radiodiffusion Française
Sir Thomas Beecham
Recorded: 1953-12-02
Recording Venue: 30 November & 1, 2 December 1959. Salle Wagram, Paris

I. Rêveries - Passions (Largo-Allegro agitato e appassionato assai)

Track length12:44

Album only

II. Un bal (Allegro non troppo)

Track length6:44

$1.30

$1.70

III. Scène aux champs (Adagio)

Track length16:57

Album only

IV. Marche au supplice (Allegretto non troppo)

Track length5:18

$1.30

$1.70

V. Songe d'une nuit du Sabbat (Larghetto-Allegro)

Track length10:50

Album only

Berlioz: Le Corsaire Overture, Op. 21

Work length7:58

$1.30

$1.70

Royal Philharmonic Orchestra
Sir Thomas Beecham
Recorded: 1958-11-07
Recording Venue: 7 November 1958. No.1 Studio, Abbey Road

Berlioz: Marche troyenne, 'Trojan March' (Les Troyens, Act I)

Work length4:34

$1.30

$1.70

Royal Philharmonic Orchestra
Sir Thomas Beecham
Recorded: 1959-10-19
Recording Venue: 19 October 1959. No.1 Studio, Abbey Road, London

Berlioz: Les Troyens (2003 Digital Remaster): La chasse royale et l'orage (Act IV)

Work length10:00

$1.30

$1.70

Beecham Choral Society, Royal Philharmonic Orchestra
Sir Thomas Beecham
Recorded: 1957-03-23
Recording Venue: 23 March 1957. No.1 Studio, Abbey Road, London

Bizet: Symphony in C

Work length28:36

$5.20

$6.80

Orchestre National de la Radiodiffusion Française
Sir Thomas Beecham
Recorded: 1959-11-02
Recording Venue: 28 October & 1,2 November 1959, Paris

Allegro vivo

Track length7:54

$1.30

$1.70

Adagio

Track length9:01

$1.30

$1.70

Allegro vivace & Trio

Track length4:49

$1.30

$1.70

Allegro vivace

Track length6:52

$1.30

$1.70

Bizet: L'Arlésienne - Incidental Music, Suite No.1 (2000 Digital Remaster)

Work length19:12

$5.20

$6.80

Royal Philharmonic Orchestra
Sir Thomas Beecham
Recorded: 1956-09-21
Recording Venue: 21 September 1956, Abbey Road Studios

Prélude

Track length7:05

$1.30

$1.70

Menuet

Track length3:32

$1.30

$1.70

Adagietto

Track length3:46

$1.30

$1.70

Carillon

Track length4:49

$1.30

$1.70

Bizet: L'Arlésienne - Suite No.2 (orch. Ernest Guiraud) (2000 Digital Remaster)

Work length17:05

$5.20

$6.80

Royal Philharmonic Orchestra
Sir Thomas Beecham
Recorded: 1956-09-21
Recording Venue: 21 September 1956, Abbey Road Studios

Pastorale

Track length5:24

$1.30

$1.70

Intermezzo

Track length3:59

$1.30

$1.70

Minuet (from 'La jolie fille de Perth')

Track length4:00

$1.30

$1.70

Farandole

Track length3:42

$1.30

$1.70

Delibes: Le Roi s'amuse

Work length14:23

$9.10

$11.90

Royal Philharmonic Orchestra
Sir Thomas Beecham
Recorded: 1958-05-16
Recording Venue: 12 & 16 May 1958. Salle Wagram, Paris

Incidental Music - Ballet Music (2002 Digital Remaster): I. Gaillarde

Track length4:00

$1.30

$1.70

Incidental Music - Ballet Music (2002 Digital Remaster): II. Pavane

Track length1:51

$1.30

$1.70

Incidental Music - Ballet Music (2002 Digital Remaster): III. Scène du bouquet

Track length2:04

$1.30

$1.70

Incidental Music - Ballet Music (2002 Digital Remaster): IV. Lesquercarde

Track length1:11

$1.30

$1.70

Incidental Music - Ballet Music (2002 Digital Remaster): V. Madrigal

Track length1:56

$1.30

$1.70

Incidental Music - Ballet Music (2002 Digital Remaster): VI. Passepied

Track length1:50

$1.30

$1.70

Incidental Music - Ballet Music (2002 Digital Remaster): VII. Finale

Track length1:31

$1.30

$1.70

Debussy: Prélude à l'après-midi d'un faune

Work length10:34

Album only

Royal Philharmonic Orchestra
Sir Thomas Beecham
Recorded: 1957-03-28
Recording Venue: 25 March 1957. No. 1 Studio, Abbey Road, London

Debussy: L'Enfant prodigue: Cortege et Air de danse

Work length4:22

$1.30

$1.70

Royal Philharmonic Orchestra
Sir Thomas Beecham
Recorded: 1959-11-28
Recording Venue: 5 October & 23 November 1959. Studio 1, Abbey Road, London

Excerpt, Saint-Saëns: Samson et Dalila

Work length10:01

$2.60

$3.40

Royal Philharmonic Orchestra
Sir Thomas Beecham
Recorded: 1959-11-23
Recording Venue: 20 October 1958 & 23 November 1959 / Kingsway Hall & No.1 Studio Abbey Road, London

Danse des prêtresses de Dagon (Act 1)

Track length2:34

$1.30

$1.70

Bacchanale (Act 2)

Track length7:27

$1.30

$1.70

Berlioz: La Damnation de Faust Op. 24 (2002 Digital Remaster): Danse des Sylphes (2. Partie)

Work length3:06

$1.30

$1.70

Royal Philharmonic Orchestra
Sir Thomas Beecham
Recorded: 1957-03-25
Recording Venue: 25 March 1957 / No.1 Studio Abbey Road, London

Berlioz: La Damnation de Faust (2002 Digital Remaster), Part III, Scene 12: Menuet des Follets (3 Partie)

Work length5:44

$1.30

$1.70

Royal Philharmonic Orchestra
Sir Thomas Beecham
Recorded: 1957-03-25
Recording Venue: 25 March 1957. No. Studio, Abbey Road, London

Massenet: Cendrillon - Act II: Valse

Work length5:34

$1.30

$1.70

Royal Philharmonic Orchestra
Sir Thomas Beecham
Recorded: 1957-10-09
Recording Venue: 9 October 1957. Salle Wagram Paris

Excerpt, Gounod: Faust

Work length16:29

$9.10

$11.90

Royal Philharmonic Orchestra
Sir Thomas Beecham
Recorded: 1957-11-03
Recording Venue: 9 October & 3 November 1957. Salle Wagram, Paris

Ballet Music (2002 Digital Remaster): I. Les Nubiennes (Allegretto: mouvement de valse)

Track length2:50

$1.30

$1.70

Ballet Music (2002 Digital Remaster): II. Adagio

Track length4:13

$1.30

$1.70

Ballet Music (2002 Digital Remaster): III. Danse antique (Allegretto)

Track length1:39

$1.30

$1.70

Ballet Music (2002 Digital Remaster): IV. Variations de Cléopâtre (Moderato maestoso)

Track length1:41

$1.30

$1.70

Ballet Music (2002 Digital Remaster): V. Les Troyennes (Moderato con moto)

Track length1:47

$1.30

$1.70

Ballet Music (2002 Digital Remaster): VI. Variations du miroir (Allegretto)

Track length1:34

$1.30

$1.70

Ballet Music (2002 Digital Remaster): VII. Danse du Phryné (Allegro vivo)

Track length2:45

$1.30

$1.70

Bizet: Carmen (2007 Digital Remaster), SUITE NO 1

Work length10:46

$5.20

$6.80

Orchestre National de la Radiodiffusion Française, Choeurs et Orchestre National de la Radiodiffusion, Orchestra National de la Radiodiffusion Francaise
Sir Thomas Beecham
Recorded: 1958-01-12
Recording Venue: 10 - 12 January 1958, Salle Wagram, Paris

Prelude, Act 1 (Les toréadors)

Track length3:39

$1.30

$1.70

Entr'acte, Act 2 (Les dragons d'Alcala)

Track length1:58

$1.30

$1.70

Entr'acte, Act 3 (Intermezzo)

Track length2:33

$1.30

$1.70

Entr'acte, Act 4 (Aragonaise)

Track length2:36

$1.30

$1.70

Chabrier: Gwendoline Overture

Work length9:30

$1.30

$1.70

Orchestre National de la Radiodiffusion Française
Sir Thomas Beecham
Recorded: 1957-11-09
Recording Venue: 9 November 1957 / Salle Wagram, Paris

Fauré: Dolly Suite, Op. 56

Work length17:54

$7.80

$10.20

Orchestre National de France
Sir Thomas Beecham
Recorded: 1959-12-04
Recording Venue: 1-4 December 1959 / Salle Wagram, Paris

1. Berceuse

Track length3:25

$1.30

$1.70

2. Mi-a-ou

Track length2:10

$1.30

$1.70

3. Le Jardin de Dolly

Track length3:10

$1.30

$1.70

4. Kitty-Valse

Track length2:51

$1.30

$1.70

5. Tendresse

Track length3:50

$1.30

$1.70

6. Le Pas espagnol

Track length2:28

$1.30

$1.70

Saint-Saëns: Le Rouet d'Omphale, Op. 31

Work length9:28

$1.30

$1.70

Royal Philharmonic Orchestra
Sir Thomas Beecham
Recorded: 1957-03-25
Recording Venue: 25 March 1957 / No. 1 Studio, Abbey Road, London

Chabrier: Joyeuse Marche

Work length3:47

$1.30

$1.70

Royal Philharmonic Orchestra
Sir Thomas Beecham
Recorded: 1957-03-23
Recording Venue: 23 March 1957 / No. 1 Studio, Abbey Road, London

Chabrier: España

Work length6:09

$1.30

$1.70

London Philharmonic Orchestra
Sir Thomas Beecham
Recorded: 1939-12-19
Recording Venue: 30 November & 19 December 1939 / Kingsway Hall, London

Bizet: Patrie Overture, Op. 19

Work length12:39

Album only

Royal Philharmonic Orchestra
Sir Thomas Beecham
Recorded: 1956-10-12
Recording Venue: 12 October 1956 / Walthamstow Assembly Hall

Bizet: Roma - suite de concert No. 3 (2007 Digital Remaster): Allegro vivacissimo (Carnaval) from Roma - suite de concert No. 3

Work length7:14

$1.30

$1.70

Royal Philharmonic Orchestra
Sir Thomas Beecham
Recorded: 1957-10-09
Recording Venue: 9 October 1957 / Salle Wagram, Paris

Franck, C: Symphony in D minor

Work length38:49

Album only

Orchestre National de la Radiodiffusion Française
Sir Thomas Beecham
Recorded: 1959-12-04
Recording Venue: 1-4. XII.1959. Salle Wagram, Paris.

I. Lento - Allegro non troppo

Track length17:28

Album only

II. Allegretto - Poco più lento - Tempo I

Track length10:54

Album only

III. Allegro non troppo

Track length10:27

Album only

Lalo: Symphony in G minor (2004 Digital Remaster)

Work length27:25

$5.20

$6.80

Orchestre National de la Radiodiffusion Française
Sir Thomas Beecham
Recorded: 1959-12-04
Recording Venue: 1-4. XII.1959. Salle Wagram, Paris.

Andante - Allegro non troppo

Track length8:33

$1.30

$1.70

Vivace

Track length5:45

$1.30

$1.70

Adagio

Track length7:03

$1.30

$1.70

Allegro

Track length6:04

$1.30

$1.70

Fauré: Pavane, Op. 50

Work length5:09

$1.30

$1.70

Orchestre National de la Radiodiffusion Française
Orchestre National de France
Sir Thomas Beecham
Recorded: 1959-12-04
Recording Venue: 1-4. XII.1959. Salle Wagram, Paris.

Berlioz: Le carnaval romain Overture, Op. 9

Work length9:02

$1.30

$1.70

London Philharmonic Orchestra
Sir Thomas Beecham
Recorded: 1936-11-27
Recording Venue: 27 November 1936 / No.1 Studio, Abbey Road, London

Berlioz: King Lear Overture, Op. 4

Work length15:50

Album only

Royal Philharmonic Orchestra
Sir Thomas Beecham
Recorded: 1947-11-11
Recording Venue: 10 September & 11 November 1947 / Kingsway Hall, London

Massenet: La Vierge (1948 Digital Remaster): Le dernier sommeil de la Vierge (Last Sleep of the Virgin)

Work length4:39

$1.30

$1.70

Royal Philharmonic Orchestra
Sir Thomas Beecham
Recorded: 1947-04-11
Recording Venue: 11 April 1947 / No. 1 Studio, Abbey Road , London

Gretry: Zémire et Azor - Ballet music (1959 Digital Remaster)

Work length13:14

$6.50

$8.50

Royal Philharmonic Orchestra
Sir Thomas Beecham
Recorded: 1956-10-12
Recording Venue: 12 October1956 / Walthamstow Assembly Hall, London

Entrée: Ballet (Entrée des génies)

Track length3:23

$1.30

$1.70

Passepied (2me Air de ballet)

Track length2:01

$1.30

$1.70

Pantomime (1er Air de ballet)

Track length4:06

$1.30

$1.70

Entr'acte (Introduction to Act III)

Track length2:09

$1.30

$1.70

Finale (Ali's ariette, "Je suis encore tremblant")

Track length1:35

$1.30

$1.70

Vidal, P-A: Gavotte (from Zino-Zina)

Work length2:10

$1.30

$1.70

Royal Philharmonic Orchestra
Sir Thomas Beecham
Recorded: 1957-10-07
Recording Venue: 7 October 1957 / Salle Wagram, Paris

Gounod: Roméo et Juliette: Le Sommeil de Juliette

Work length3:14

$1.30

$1.70

Royal Philharmonic Orchestra
Sir Thomas Beecham
Recorded: 1959-11-23
Recording Venue: 5 October & 23 November 1959 / No. 1 Studio, Abbey Road, London

About
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About

There can be few, if any, musicians who have singlehandedly done so much in the establishment of resources for musical performance than Sir Thomas Beecham.

During WWI he conducted and supported financially both the Hallé and London Symphony Orchestras and the Royal Philharmonic Society. In 1915 he formed the Beecham Opera Company which trained many young British singers in this field. Eight years later this became the British National Opera Company and was absorbed into Covent Garden in 1932 when Beecham returned to be its Musical Director.

To quote David Cairns “We are nationally and individually a more musically aware people because of him and what he gave us”. A forceful statement, true, but whose life could ever challenge it?

Dissatisfied by conditions and practices, notably the supply of deputies for rehearsals, prevalent in British orchestras, he formed the London Philharmonic Orchestra that same year. Beecham was now able to be at the fulcrum of all developments in music in Britain. WWII put an end to this halcyon period. With Covent Garden shut he travelled, primarily in America, and did not return to Britain until 1944. The London Philharmonic had now become a self-governing body so Beecham, then aged 67, launched the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra. This was the orchestra with which he committed to disc so many classic recordings with which EMI Classics marks the 50th anniversary of his passing.

It is true that Beecham had particular favourites in composers – Haydn, Mozart, Schubert, Berlioz, Bizet and Puccini spring immediately to mind; also his love for Handel – even though his performances were always BIG-scale! He was an early champion of Richard Strauss and became a most effective exponent of Sibelius. His name will always be inextricably linked with that of Delius whose music Beecham seemed to know better even than the composer and it is appropriate that they are buried not far apart in the graveyard at St. Peter’s Parish Church, Limpsfield, Surrey.

He was knighted in 1916, the year he succeeded to his father’s baronetcy, and made a Companion of Honour in 1957.This affable, brilliant, usually charming, ever-communicative, quick-witted – even, at times, to the point of cruelty, dedicated conductor was also the most gifted executive musician England has ever produced.

He was fortunate that his grandfather, a chemist, had created the highly successful pharmaceutical manufacturing business which bore his name. His father, who had started in the company whilst still a teenager, was also fond of music so he was prepared to fund his son’s enthusiastic appetite to attend operas and concerts both here and abroad.

Born on 29th April 1879 in St. Helens, he attended public school at Rossall where his talent at the piano became a legend (the only boy ever to have been allowed a grand piano in his study!). From there he briefly attended Oxford (Wadham) but the composition classes, with Charles Wood in London and Moszkowski in Paris, were funded privately. As a conductor he was purely self-taught.

He formed an orchestra in his home town and deputised for Richter at a Hallé concert when his father was mayor. His career path was clear: he would use his financial resources to support the art which he enjoyed with the aim of bringing it to as many as possible.

At the age of 30 he launched the Beecham Symphony Orchestra, all young and carefully chosen. They would tour, play for opera and ballet and give concerts of adventurous music. London duly welcomed him for a season of intensive opera performances and over the next three years introduced many new ones to British audiences, including by Strauss, Delius and the Russians. He also brought Diaghilev’s Ballets Russes starring Nijinsky and Karsavina to the British stage.

Reviews

July 2011

The French accent he found for the RPO in Bizet's L'Arlesienne Suites is still deliciously colourful 55 years on. This is the box to explore first if you're a fan of Beecham's lollipops...no wonder he was awarded the Légion d'honneur for services to French music.

18th February 2011

The finesse of the detail, the fierce attack, individual flair, corporate precision, blazing warmth: the sum total is playing of tangible personality and, often, ineffable beauty...Listen to...the strings’ silken tenderness in Grétry’s Zémire et Azor...Then there’s the fizz of Beecham’s Berlioz.

Sir Thomas Beecham conducts French Music

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