A tip of the hat to one-of-a-kind conductor Sir Thomas Beecham
Among the musical notables born on April 29 was Sir Thomas Beecham (in 1879), and 2011 marks the 50th anniversary of his death. So that's reason a-plenty to give him a little salute here.
Beecham enjoyed nearly as much fame for his wit as for his incandescent music-making. Just a few examples of Beecham quips: “There are two golden rules for an orchestra: start together and finish together. The public doesn't give a damn what goes on in between.” "A musicologist is a man who can read music but can't hear it." Addressed to a female cellist during an orchestral rehearsal: “Madam, you have between your legs an instrument capable of giving pleasure to thousands - and all you can do is scratch it.”
Beecham's ability to shape a score with an ear for a singing line and refined instrumental coloring should not be forgotten. He had something, that's for sure, and it's always rewarding to spend some time exploring his legacy. Here's a taste -- newsreel footage of Beecham introducing the London Philharmonic with a dash of Tchaikovsky (from the absurdly under-appreciated Symphony No. 3); a radio broadcast (introduced by Lionel Barrymore) of a charming piece by Delius; and a segment from a documentary that includes interviews and a rehearsal of ballet music from Gounod's "Faust."
Comments
iN THE LATE '40'S EARLY '50'S WHEN I WAS AS STUDENT AT FOREST PARK HIGH SCHOOL, WE HAD A CLUB CALLED THE CLASSICS CLUB. WE HAD SPEAKERS COME TO US AFTER SCHOOL AND SPEAK ABOUT MUSIC. i KNEW THAT SIR THOMAS WAS TO COME TO BALTIMORE TO GUEST CONDUCT THE PHILADELPHIA ORCHESTRA, SO I WROTE TO HIS MANAGER TO SEE IF HE WOULD COME AND SPEAK TO US. A WEEK LATER I GOT A PHONE CALL FROM HIS MANAGER, ASKING WHAT WOULD BE THE "REMUNERATION" I HAD TO ASK MY FATHER WHAT THAT MEANT. I SAID THAT WE COULD NOT PAY, BUT I KNEW THAT HE LOVED CIGARS AND WOULD GET HIM SOME. MY FATHER WENT AND BOUGHT A GOOD BOTTLE OF SCOTCH AND A BOX OF CUBAN CIGARS(LEGAL THEN) SIR THOMAS ARRIVED, LOVED THE GIFTS AND SPEND AN HOUR WITH US TELLING US HIS STORIES AND LOVE OF MUSIC. HE ALSO INVITED ALL OF US(15 KIDS) TO THE CONCERT. I WENT BACK STAGE IN LONDON AFTER A CONCERT WITH SIR THOMAS IN 1959 TO PAY MY RESPECTS. HE LOOKED AT ME AND SAID, "I REMEMBER THOSE CIGARS IN BALTIMORE." A FANTASTIC PERSON AND WONDERFUL CONDUCTOR
Thanks for the great story. How cool to know that Beecham had such a cool Baltimore visit. TIM
Posted by: HARRY BAERNSTEIN, III | April 29, 2011 10:32 AM