Credits:

Thomas Beecham & Royal Philharmonic Orchestra

Description:

Volume 35 of the SOMM labels acclaimed Beacham Collection series. It features music from the operas of Berlioz and Wagner, genres in which Beecham excelled. The Berlioz works are from a 1955 live performance. The Hungarian March (Lakczy March) was one of the pieces Beecham performed during his official debut in 1899 and became one of his favorite works. This performance is quintessentially Beechamcharacterized by a brisk tempo, a lively rhythm, and a powerful, dramatic expressionand the excitement of the audience, who began applauding before the piece had even ended, conveys the electric atmosphere of the concert hall.Beecham visited the Bayreuth Festival in the very year he made his full-fledged debut as a conductor. From then on, Wagner would become one of his trademarks. His forceful drive and dramatic structure are similar to those seen in his co