Great Beecham
Joseph Reichmann | Los Angeles | 04/12/2008
(4 out of 5 stars)
"This is a 10 CD set of Beecham recordings mainly from the late 1930,s, most of which he subsequently rerecorded in better sound and are still available. There are no notes.
Discs 1 and 2 are Mozart. Symphonies 40 and 41 receive great performaces (listen to the exciting start of #40). The 4th violin concerto is beautifully played by Joseph Szigeti. The conerto for flute and harp (how could Mozart have devoted 30 minutes to such an odd combination?) is the best I have ever heard of this strange piece.
Disc 3 has some unexciting Handel but very fine performances of Haydn's symphonies #93 and 104.
Disc 4 is a gem. Schubert's 5th symphony is even better than Beecham's subsequent recording and Beethoven's 4th piano concerto is played by Arthur Rubinstein.
Discs 5, 6, and 7 contain a variety of "lollipops"(overtures, suites, etc by Wagner, Weber, Brahms, Bizet, Berlioz, et al)which are sure to please.
Disc 8 contains a splendid performance of the Frank symphony and several Chabrier works. No other conductor can make Espana shine the way Beecham does.
Disc 9 contains Delius' 30 minute Appalachia-variations on an old slave song, which is not often performed. It is a real find. Don Quixote by Strauss has the poorest sound of the set (1932 recording) but it does give you the opportunity to hear the cello part played by Alfred Wallenstein, who later become the conductor of the Los Angeles Philharmonic.
Disc 10 contains Sibelius symphony #2, recorded in 1946. This is Sibelius that is stately, majestic, and the listener is in awe but feels that he has a place in it. Later recordings of Sibelius by Bernstein and Barbirolli are fierce, overpowering, and the listener feels defeated.
This is a set that every Beecham lover should get and the price (less than $20, unless Amazon raises it after this review is posted)is a steal.
"
Historic Beecham Recordings
Robert E. Nylund | Ft. Wayne, Indiana United States | 07/08/2010
(4 out of 5 stars)
"There's no question that Sir Thomas Beecham was among a handful of really great conductors during the twentieth century. Musicians who worked with him said that he had "an inner vision," much like Arturo Toscanini, whom Beecham didn't particularly like because they often had much different approaches to the same music they conducted. He had the distinction of creating several orchestras, two of which still exist: the London Philharmonic Orchestra and the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra. This compilation of historic recordings features recordings Sir Thomas made with those two orchestras, primarily for Columbia Records with EMI crews in London.
Many of the original 78-rpm recordings had superior sound and, with digital restorations, it is possible to hear even more than was apparent on vintage phonographs. The performances are, for the most part, classic ones that showcase the very fine musicians that Sir Thomas used. He really enjoyed conducting and the musicians, for the most part, loved playing for him. It is wonderful to get to hear such a large collection of mostly great performances by Sir Thomas with two outstadning orchestras."
Great Classical Overview/Nice Content/Good Sound Quality
Vicki Elo | 02/12/2010
(4 out of 5 stars)
"Received product quickly, as advertised. A great addition to ones classical collection. A nice overview of composers Beecham believed in. Highly recommended for Delius Appalachia and Handel. Mozart very nice. The "Document" sets by conductor are a great value/addition to ones collection. Thanks!
"
Track Listings (37) - Disc #1