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Sir Thomas Beecham: The Great Communicator

Audio Documentary by Jon Tolansky

Sir Thomas Beecham

You'll find out why he was adored in this companion documentary narrated by John Tolansky, which proves to be an engaging portrait featuring Beecham himself, in rehearsal and in radio broadcasts,... — BBC Music Magazine, July 2011, 3 out of 5 stars More…
  • Release Date: 7th Feb 2011
  • Catalogue No: 9099642
  • Label: Warner Classics
  • Series: Sir Thomas Beecham Edition
  • Length: 5 hours 24 minutes

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Audio formats guide

No digital booklet included

Contents

Mendelssohn: Märchen von der schönen Melusine, Op. 32, MWV P12 "The Fair Melusine"

Work length10:04
Album only
Album only
  • Geoffrey Brand (narrator), John Amis (narrator), Jon Tolansky (narrator)
  • Royal Philharmonic Orchestra
  • Sir Thomas Beecham
  • Recorded: 2010-01-01
  • Recording Venue: 2010

Jon Tolansky: Early life, and creation of Beecham Symphony Orchestra - Narration

Work length7:40
$1.30
$1.70
  • John Lucas (narrator)
  • Recorded: 2010-01-01
  • Recording Venue: 2010

Stravinsky: L'Oiseau de feu, Tableau I: Danse de l'Oiseau de feu

Work length1:08
$1.30
$1.70
  • Beecham Symphony Orchestra
  • Sir Thomas Beecham
  • Recorded: 1959-01-01
  • Recording Venue: 1959

Jon Tolansky: Early Opera Seasons - Narration

Work length2:22
$1.30
$1.70
  • John Lucas (narrator), Paul Strang (narrator)
  • Recorded: 2010-01-01
  • Recording Venue: 2010

Verdi: Aida: Ritorna Vincitor - Narration

Work length6:34
$1.30
$1.70
  • Dame Eva Turner (narrator), Dame Eva Turner (soprano)
  • Orchestra
  • Recorded: 1988-01-01
  • Recording Venue: 1988

Jon Tolansky: Creation of London Philharmonic Orchestra - Narration

Work length3:49
$1.30
$1.70
  • John Lucas (narrator), Leo Birnbaum (narrator)
  • Recorded: 2010-01-01
  • Recording Venue: 2010

Bizet: Le Carnaval Roman Overture - Narration

Work length3:11
$1.30
$1.70
  • John Lucas (narrator)
  • Recorded: 2010-01-01
  • Recording Venue: 2010

Weber: Der Freischütz - Overture (2003 Remastered Version)

Work length4:20
$1.30
$1.70
  • London Philharmonic Orchestra
  • Sir Thomas Beecham
  • Recorded: 1935-11-10
  • Recording Venue: 10 November 1935 / 'live' at Queen's Hall, London

Jon Tolansky: London Philharmonic Orchestra - Narration

Work length3:32
$1.30
$1.70
  • Lyndon Jenkins (narrator), Richard Walton (narrator)
  • Recorded: 2010-01-01
  • Recording Venue: 2010

Delius: In a Summer Garden - Narration

Work length15:21
Album only
Album only
  • Bernard Keeffe (narrator), Leo Birnbaum (narrator), Lyndon Jenkins (narrator), Paul Strang (narrator)
  • Recorded: 2010-01-01
  • Recording Venue: 2010

Jon Tolansky: International Opera Seasons at the Royal Opera House, Covent Garden - Narration

Work length3:50
$1.30
$1.70
  • Giovanni Martinelli (narrator), John Lucas (narrator), Lyndon Jenkins (narrator)
  • Recorded: 2010-01-01
  • Recording Venue: 2010

Wagner: Wagner - Götterdämmerung: Act I: Hier sitz' ich zur Wacht - Narration

Work length4:42
$1.30
$1.70
  • Ludwig Weber (bass)
  • London Philharmonic Orchestra
  • Recorded: 2010-01-01
  • Recording Venue: 2010

Jon Tolansky: International Opera Seasons at the Royal Opera House, Covent Garden - Part II - Narration

Work length3:30
$1.30
$1.70
  • Lyndon Jenkins (narrator), Norman Walker (narrator)
  • Recorded: 2010-01-01
  • Recording Venue: 2010

Jon Tolansky: Conducting Mozart in Berlin - Narration

Work length2:00
$1.30
$1.70
  • Lyndon Jenkins (narrator)
  • Recorded: 2010-01-01
  • Recording Venue: 2010

Mozart: Die Zauberflöte: Act 1: Schnelle Füße, rascher Muth - Narration

Work length2:54
$1.30
$1.70
  • Gerhard Hüsch (bass-baritone), Gerhard Huesch (bass-baritone), Tiana Lemnitz (soprano)
  • Favres Solisten Vereinigung, Berliner Philharmoniker
  • Recorded: 2010-01-01
  • Recording Venue: 2010

Jon Tolansky: Creation of Royal Philharmonic Orchestra

Work length0:47
$1.30
$1.70
  • Jon Tolansky (narrator)
  • Recorded: 2010-01-01
  • Recording Venue: 2010

Strauss, R: Don Quixote, Op. 35: Variation X. Duel with the Knight of the Bright Moon

Work length3:33
$1.30
$1.70
  • Jon Tolansky (narrator), Paul Tortelier (cello)
  • Royal Philharmonic Orchestra
  • Sir Thomas Beecham
  • Recorded: 2010-01-01
  • Recording Venue: 2010

Strauss, R: Der Bürger als Edelmann Suite, Op. 60-IIIa: VIII. Vorspiel

Work length3:05
$1.30
$1.70
  • Eric Harrison (piano)
  • Royal Philharmonic Orchestra
  • Sir Thomas Beecham
  • Recorded: 2009-01-01
  • Recording Venue: 2009

Jon Tolansky: Royal Philharmonic Orchestra - Narration

Work length1:51
$1.30
$1.70
  • Raymond Ovens (narrator)
  • Royal Philharmonic Orchestra
  • Recorded: 1996-01-01
  • Recording Venue: 1996

Delius: Sea Drift - Once Paumanok - Narration

Work length3:03
$1.30
$1.70
  • Gordon Clinton (bass-baritone), Raymond Ovens (narrator)
  • Royal Philharmonic Orchestra
  • Recorded: 2009-01-01
  • Recording Venue: 2009

Delius: Sea Drift - O reckless despairing carols - Narration

Work length2:09
$1.30
$1.70
  • Gordon Clinton (bass-baritone), John Amis (narrator)
  • Royal Philharmonic Orchestra
  • Recorded: 1951-12-27
  • Recording Venue: 27 December 1951/Shepperton Film Studios, Shepperton, Middlesex

Rimsky Korsakov: Symphony No. 2, Op. 9 "Antar": II. Allegro - Molto allegro

Work length1:33
$1.30
$1.70
  • Royal Philharmonic Orchestra
  • Sir Thomas Beecham
  • Recorded: 2009-01-01
  • Recording Venue: 2009

Jon Tolansky: Beecham's Marking of the Parts - Narration

Work length1:47
$1.30
$1.70
  • John Amis (narrator)
  • Recorded: 2009-01-01
  • Recording Venue: 2009

Jon Tolansky: Beecham's Rehearsal Method (I) - Narration

Work length2:47
$1.30
$1.70
  • Basil Tschaikov (narrator), Harry Legge (narrator)
  • Recorded: 2010-01-01
  • Recording Venue: 2010

Mozart: Symphony No. 41 in C Major, K. 551 "Jupiter": II. Andante cantabile (with Jon Tolansky & Paul Strang's Commentaries)

Work length4:20
$1.30
$1.70
  • Jon Tolansky (narrator), Paul Strang (narrator)
  • Royal Philharmonic Orchestra
  • Sir Thomas Beecham
  • Recorded: 2009-01-01
  • Recording Venue: 2009

Jon Tolansky: Beecham's Rehearsal Method (II) - Narration

Work length0:42
$1.30
$1.70
  • Basil Tschaikov (narrator), Harry Legge (narrator)
  • Recorded: 2010-01-01
  • Recording Venue: 2010

Mozart: Die Entführung Aus Dem Serail: Act 2: Ach, Belmonte - Rehearsal

Work length3:16
$1.30
$1.70
  • Leopold Simoneau (tenor), Gerhard Unger (vocals), Lois Marshall (soprano), Ilse Hollweg (soprano)
  • Royal Philharmonic Orchestra
  • Recorded: 1956-10-11
  • Recording Venue: 9, 11, 14, 16-18, 24 & 25 May 1956, Kingsway Hall, London (opera). 10 & 11 Oct 1956, Gemeindehaus, Berlin-Zehlendorf (dialogue)

Mozart: Die Entführung aus dem Serail, K. 384, Act 2 (The palace garden): Ach, Belmonte! ach mein Leben! (Konstanze / Belmonte / Pedrillo / Blonde)

Work length6:33
$1.30
$1.70
  • Gottlob Frick, Hansgeorg Laubenthal, Hilde Volk, Beecham Choral Society, Manfred Schmidt, Gerhard Unger (vocals), Fritz Hoppe, Leopold Simoneau (tenor), Lois Marshall (soprano), Ilse Hollweg (soprano)
  • Royal Philharmonic Orchestra
  • Sir Thomas Beecham
  • Recorded: 2010-01-01
  • Recording Venue: 2010

Mozart: Divertimento No. 2 in D Major, K. 131: I. Allegro (with Jon Tolansky's Commentaries)

Work length1:16
$1.30
$1.70
  • Jon Tolansky (narrator)
  • Royal Philharmonic Orchestra
  • Sir Thomas Beecham
  • Recorded: 2010-01-01
  • Recording Venue: 2010

Haydn: Beecham's rehearsal method (III) - Narration - Symphony No.104 - Mvt 1 Rehearsal & Performance

Work length3:03
$1.30
$1.70
  • Geoffrey Brand (narrator), John Amis (narrator), Sir Thomas Beecham (lead vocals)
  • Royal Philharmonic Orchestra
  • Recorded: 2009-01-01
  • Recording Venue: 2009

Jon Tolansky: Beecham's improvisatory conducting - Narration

Work length1:36
$1.30
$1.70
  • Basil Tschaikov (narrator)
  • Recorded: 1959-10-19
  • Recording Venue: 19 October 1959. No.1 Studio, Abbey Road, London

Berlioz: Les Troyens, H. 133, Act 1: No. 11, Marche troyenne (Orchestral Version)

Work length4:34
$1.30
$1.70
  • Royal Philharmonic Orchestra
  • Sir Thomas Beecham
  • Recorded: 1996-01-01
  • Recording Venue: 1996

Jon Tolansky: Beecham's Lollipops - Narration

Work length1:49
$1.30
$1.70
  • Raymond Ovens (narrator)
  • Recorded: 1947-04-11
  • Recording Venue: 11 April 1947 / No. 1 Studio, Abbey Road , London

Massenet: La Vierge, Pt. 4: Le dernier sommeil de la Vierge

Work length4:39
$1.30
$1.70
  • Royal Philharmonic Orchestra
  • Sir Thomas Beecham
  • Recorded: 2010-01-01
  • Recording Venue: 2010

Jon Tolansky: Beecham's effect on the on the audience in the United States - Narration

Work length1:57
$1.30
$1.70
  • Geoffrey Brand (narrator)
  • Recorded: 1977-01-01
  • Recording Venue: 1977

anon.: English National Anthem "God Save the King"

Work length1:04
$1.30
$1.70
  • Royal Philharmonic Orchestra
  • Sir Thomas Beecham
  • Recorded: 2009-01-01
  • Recording Venue: 2009

Jon Tolansky: Beecham's Conducting Technique - Narration

Work length1:12
$1.30
$1.70
  • Basil Tschaikov (narrator)
  • Recorded: 2010-01-01
  • Recording Venue: 2010

Berlioz: Le Corsaire Overture, Op. 21

Work length5:08
$1.30
$1.70
  • Basil Tschaikov (narrator), Bernard Keeffe (narrator), Carlo Martelli (narrator), Geoffrey Brand (narrator)
  • Recorded: 2010-01-01
  • Recording Venue: 2010

Jon Tolansky: Beecham and Berlioz's Grande Messe des Morts - Narration

Work length2:10
$1.30
$1.70
  • James Williams (narrator)
  • Recorded: 2010-01-01
  • Recording Venue: 2010

Berlioz: Grande Messe des morts, Op. 5, H. 75 "Requiem ": II. Tuba mirum

Work length4:07
$1.30
$1.70
  • BBC Choral Society, BBC Symphony Orchestra, Luton Choral Society
  • Sir Thomas Beecham
  • Recorded: 2010-01-01
  • Recording Venue: 2010

Jon Tolansky: Beecham's Conducting Technique with Choruses - Narration

Work length1:40
$1.30
$1.70
  • David Cairns (narrator)
  • Recorded: 1956-05-28
  • Recording Venue: 17-19,21,22 & 25.XI.and 15,17 & 22.XII.1955; 1.I.and 16 & 28.V.1956. No.1 Abbey Road Studios, London.

Handel: Solomon, HWV 67, Act 3: Chorus. "Praise the Lord" (Chorus)

Work length4:24
$1.30
$1.70
  • John Cameron, Elsie Morison, Alexander Young, Lois Marshall
  • Beecham Choral Society, Royal Philharmonic Orchestra
  • Sir Thomas Beecham
  • Recorded: 2010-01-01
  • Recording Venue: 2010

Jon Tolansky: Beecham's arrangements of the music of Handel

Work length1:39
$1.30
$1.70
  • David Cairns (narrator)
  • Recorded: 1959-11-24
  • Recording Venue: 26 & 27 November & 14 December 1956, 29 March & 2 April 1957, 15 & 18 August & 24 November 1959 / No.1 Studio, Abbey Road

Handel: Love in Bath (1990 Remastered Version): Hornpipe (Il Pastor Fido)

Work length1:17
$1.30
$1.70
  • Ilse Hollweg (soprano)
  • Royal Philharmonic Orchestra
  • Sir Thomas Beecham
  • Recorded: 2009-01-01
  • Recording Venue: 2009

Jon Tolansky: Beecham's Results as a Guest Conductor - Narration

Work length1:23
$1.30
$1.70
  • Basil Tschaikov (narrator)
  • Recorded: 1994-01-01
  • Recording Venue: 1994

Franck, C: Symphony - Narration

Work length5:15
$1.30
$1.70
  • Orchestre National Ortf, Denis Wick (narrator)
  • Recorded: 2010-01-01
  • Recording Venue: 2010

Delius: A Village Romeo & Juliet - Scene 1 & 2 - Narration

Work length9:27
$1.30
$1.70
  • René Soames (tenor), Lorely Dyer (soprano), Lyndon Jenkins (narrator), Sir Thomas Beecham (narrator)
  • Royal Philharmonic Orchestra
  • Recorded: 1948-01-01
  • Recording Venue: 1948

Delius: A Village Romeo and Juliet - Scene 4 Part II and Scene 6

Work length17:15
Album only
Album only
  • René Soames (tenor), Lorely Dyer (soprano), Sir Thomas Beecham (narrator)
  • Royal Philharmonic Orchestra
  • Recorded: 2010-01-01
  • Recording Venue: 2010

Jon Tolansky: Beecham & French Music (I) - Narration

Work length2:33
$1.30
$1.70
  • Jon Tolansky (narrator)
  • Recorded: 2010-01-01
  • Recording Venue: 2010

Bizet: L'Arlesienne Suite No.1 - Prelude

Work length4:37
$1.30
$1.70
  • David Cairns (narrator)
  • Royal Philharmonic Orchestra
  • Recorded: 1956-09-21
  • Recording Venue: 21 September 1956, Abbey Road Studios

Bizet: Suite No. 1 de L'Arlésienne, Op. 23bis, WD 40: III. Adagietto

Work length3:46
$1.30
$1.70
  • Royal Philharmonic Orchestra
  • Sir Thomas Beecham
  • Recorded: 2010-01-01
  • Recording Venue: 2010

Jon Tolansky: Beecham & French Music (II) - Narration

Work length0:48
$1.30
$1.70
  • Jon Tolansky (narrator)
  • Recorded: 2010-01-01
  • Recording Venue: 2010

Jon Tolansky: Grétry, edited and arranged Beecham - Zémire et Azor - Passepied - Narration

Work length1:33
$1.30
$1.70
  • Lyndon Jenkins (narrator)
  • Recorded: 1956-10-12
  • Recording Venue: 12 October1956 / Walthamstow Assembly Hall, London

Gretry: Zémire et Azor - Ballet music (1959 Remastered Version): Pantomime (1er Air de ballet)

Work length4:06
$1.30
$1.70
  • Royal Philharmonic Orchestra
  • Sir Thomas Beecham
  • Recorded: 2010-01-01
  • Recording Venue: 2010

Jon Tolansky: Beecham & French Music (III) - Narration

Work length4:27
$1.30
$1.70
  • Felix Aprahamian (narrator), John Lucas (narrator), Paul Strang (narrator)
  • Recorded: 2010-01-01
  • Recording Venue: 2010

Gretry: Zémire et Azor: Act 2: Rose chérie - Narration

Work length4:09
$1.30
$1.70
  • Paul Strang (narrator), Dora Labbette (soprano)
  • Orchestra
  • Recorded: 2010-01-01
  • Recording Venue: 2010

Jon Tolansky: Beecham's very wide range of Repertoire - Narration

Work length0:36
$1.30
$1.70
  • David Cairns (narrator)
  • Recorded: 1959-05-08
  • Recording Venue: 11 & 16 May 1958; Salle Wagram, Paris & 11 & 16 December 1958 and 2 & 8 May 1959; No. 1 Studio, Abbey Road, London

Haydn: Symphony No. 100 in G Major, Hob. I:100 "Military": III. Menuetto. Moderato

Work length5:00
$1.30
$1.70
  • Royal Philharmonic Orchestra
  • Sir Thomas Beecham
  • Recorded: 2010-01-01
  • Recording Venue: 2010

Jon Tolansky: Beecham and German Music

Work length1:07
$1.30
$1.70
  • Jon Tolansky (narrator)
  • Recorded: 2010-01-01
  • Recording Venue: 2010

Beethoven: Symphony No.7 - Mvt 1 - Narration

Work length5:54
$1.30
$1.70
  • Jon Tolansky (narrator)
  • Royal Philharmonic Orchestra
  • Recorded: 2010-01-01
  • Recording Venue: 2010

Wagner: Die Meistersinger von Nürnberg: Overture

Work length2:38
$1.30
$1.70
  • David Cairns (narrator)
  • Royal Philharmonic Orchestra
  • Recorded: 2010-01-01
  • Recording Venue: 2010

Jon Tolansky: Beecham and Scandinavian Music (I) - Narration

Work length0:58
$1.30
$1.70
  • Jon Tolansky (narrator)
  • Recorded: 2010-01-01
  • Recording Venue: 2010

Grieg: Peer Gynt Incidental Music - Wedding March - Narration

Work length4:14
$1.30
$1.70
  • Jon Tolansky (narrator)
  • Royal Philharmonic Orchestra
  • Recorded: 1957-04-01
  • Recording Venue: 5, 18, 21 & 29 Nov 1956 & 1 April 1957. No. 1 Studio, Abbey Road, London

Grieg: Peer Gynt, Op. 23, Act 4: No. 16, Anitra's Dance

Work length4:03
$1.30
$1.70
  • Royal Philharmonic Orchestra
  • Sir Thomas Beecham
  • Recorded: 2010-01-01
  • Recording Venue: 2010

Jon Tolansky: Beecham and Scandinavian Music (II) - Narration

Work length0:57
$1.30
$1.70
  • Jon Tolansky (narrator)
  • Recorded: 2010-01-01
  • Recording Venue: 2010

Sibelius: Tapiola - Narration

Work length3:33
$1.30
$1.70
  • Jon Tolansky (narrator)
  • Royal Philharmonic Orchestra
  • Recorded: 2010-01-01
  • Recording Venue: 2010

Sibelius: Beecham Live in Concert - Symphony No.2: Mvt 1 & 4 - Narration

Work length5:52
$1.30
$1.70
  • John Amis (narrator), Lyndon Jenkins (narrator)
  • BBC Symphony Orchestra
  • Recorded: 2010-01-01
  • Recording Venue: 2010

Dvořák: Symphony No. 4 in D Minor, Op. 13, B. 41: IV. Finale. Allegro con brio

Work length5:30
$1.30
$1.70
  • David Cairns, Bernard Dennis-Browne (narrator), John Cave (narrator), Jon Tolansky (narrator)
  • Royal Philharmonic Orchestra
  • Sir Thomas Beecham
  • Recorded: 2010-01-01
  • Recording Venue: 2010

Excerpt, Haydn: Symphony No. 93 in D major

Work length11:12
$2.60
$3.40
  • David Cairns (narrator)
  • Royal Philharmonic Orchestra
  • Sir Thomas Beecham
  • Recorded: 2010-01-01
  • Recording Venue: 2010

93: I. Adagio - Allegro assai

Track length4:55
$1.30
$1.70

93: II. Largo cantabile

Track length6:17
$1.30
$1.70

Jon Tolansky: Beecham and Audiences - Narration

Work length1:54
$1.30
$1.70
  • David Cairns (narrator), Geoffrey Brand (narrator)
  • Recorded: 2010-01-01
  • Recording Venue: 2010

Jon Tolansky: Beecham and Controversy - Narration

Work length2:09
$1.30
$1.70
  • Bernard Keeffe (narrator), David Cairns (narrator)
  • Recorded: 2009-01-01
  • Recording Venue: 2009

Jon Tolansky: Late Opera Recordings - Narration

Work length1:34
$1.30
$1.70
  • Jon Tolansky (narrator)
  • Recorded: 1957-11-09
  • Recording Venue: 9 November 1957 / Salle Wagram, Paris

Puccini: La Boheme: Act 1: Questo Mar Rosso

Work length6:16
$1.30
$1.70
  • RCA Victor Orchestra, Giorgio Tozzi (bass), Jussi Björling (vocals), Lucine Amara (narrator), Robert Merrill (bass-baritone)

Puccini: La bohème, Act 2: Valzer. "Quando men' vo soletta" (Musetta, Marcello, Alcindoro, Mimì, Rodolfo, Schaunard, Colline)

Work length4:36
$1.30
$1.70
  • Victoria de los Angeles (soprano), Fernando Corena (bass), Giorgio Tozzi (bass), John Reardon (baritone), Jussi Björling (tenor), Lucine Amara (soprano), Robert Merrill (baritone)
  • RCA Victor Orchestra
  • Sir Thomas Beecham

Jon Tolansky: Casting of Singers for Operas - Narration

Work length4:51
$1.30
$1.70
  • Jon Tolansky (narrator)

Bizet: Carmen: Act 1: Près des remparts de Seville - Narration

Work length11:55
Album only
Album only
  • Orchestre National Ortf, Nicolai Gedda (narrator), Victoria de los Angeles (soprano)

Bizet: Carmen - Acte III - N°24 Final : Tu Me Dis De La Suivre (José)

Work length2:30
$1.30
$1.70
  • Sir Thomas Beecham (lead vocals), Nicolai Gedda (vocals), Orchestre National de la Radiodiffusion Française (second vocals), Orchestra National de la Radiodiffusion Francaise (second vocals)

Jon Tolansky: Beecham's final edition of Handel's Messiah - Narration

Work length4:00
$1.30
$1.70
  • Jon Vickers (narrator)

Handel: Messiah, HWV 56, Pt. 1, Scene 1: Aria. "Ev'ry Valley Shall Be Exalted"

Work length4:06
$1.30
$1.70
  • Jon Vickers (tenor)
  • Royal Philharmonic Orchestra
  • Sir Thomas Beecham

Royal Philharmonic Orchestra: Beecham's 80th Birthday - Presentation to Beecham

Work length3:52
$1.30
$1.70
  • Royal Philharmonic Orchestra (narrator)

Haydn: Symphony No. 99 in E-Flat Major, Hob. I:99: I. Adagio - Vivace assai

Work length4:43
$1.30
$1.70
  • Robert Gooch (narrator)
  • Royal Philharmonic Orchestra

Chabrier: Gwendoline: Ouverture

Work length9:30
$1.30
$1.70
  • Orchestre National de la Radiodiffusion Française
  • Sir Thomas Beecham

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