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Sir Thomas Beecham: Episode I

Sir Thomas Beecham conducting.
Sir Thomas Beecham conducting.

British conductor and impresario Sir Thomas Beecham (1879-1961) was one of the world’s greatest conductors. He brought music to life in ways that very few conductors could. Adored by the musicians who played for him and by his audiences, he pretended in interviews that he was very casual but, in fact, he was intensely devoted to music. In this first program, we’ll hear some of his specialties with music by Berlioz, Delius, Gounod, Massenet and Handel.

Compositions and Recordings

The Corsair Overture, Hector Berlioz
Sir Thomas Beecham and The Royal Philharmonic

Excerpt from "The Trojans," Hector Berlioz
Sir Thomas Beecham and The Royal Philharmonic, The Beecham Choral Society

Summer Evening, Frederick Delius
Sir Thomas Beecham and The Royal Philharmonic

Ballet Music From Faust, Charles Gounod
Sir Thomas Beecham and The Royal Philharmonic

The Last Sleep of the Virgin, Jules Massenet
Sir Thomas Beecham and The Royal Philharmonic

Frank Byrne is the host of From the Archives on 91.9 Classical KC.
Leah Sosland is an intern for 91.9 Classical KC.