Vintage Beecham.
John Austin | Kangaroo Ground, Australia | 10/16/2000
(4 out of 5 stars)
"Beecham's recordings from the 1930s of Mozart symphonies lead the field for many decades. Excellent transfers are still available. This BBC release offers later performances from radio broadcasts given in 1949 and 1958, by which time Beecham's interpretations had mellowed. His tempi in the broadcasts are a little slower generally. In the case of No 29, however, he abandons the excessively slow tempo for the Minuet which he adopted in his 1930s recording. His reading of the "Prague" Symphony has gained in stature. Nos 35 and 29 receive the better recording. Loud and soft contrasts are lacking, perhaps due to the exigencies of broadcasting. The string playing throughout is silky smooth. Two of Sir Thomas's spoken introductions are included."