Description
This release has been sourced from the Richard Itter Archive of live BBC recordings. The collection is very important for collectors because it has never been on the market before. Following the archives launch in October 2017 with successive releases featuring Beecham, Böhm, Cantelli, Casadesus, Karajan, Menuhin, Monteux, du Pré, Klemperer, Rostropovich and Walter, it has received universal praise from both the classical media and record collectors for the excellent sound and performances. Rob Cowan wrote in Gramophone about the first volume (ICAC 5148) featuring Sir Thomas Beecham: numerous live Beecham releases have appeared over the last few years, some more successful than others (in both recording and performance terms), but this collection is certainly one of the best. This second volume continues with rare performances which as far as is known have never been made available before covering a period from 1952 to 1959.
Composers
Balakirev, Mily Alexeyevich (1837–1910)
Chabrier, Alexis Emmanuel (1841–94)
Delius, Frederick (1862–1934)
Franck, César Auguste (1822–90)
Gretry, André Ernest Modeste (1741-1813)
Lalo, Edouard (1823–92)
Méhul, Étienne Nicholas (1763–1817)
Saint-Saëns, Charles Camille (1835-1921)
Strauss, Richard (1864–1949)
Works
Balakirev: Symphony No. 1 in C major
Chabrier: Gwendoline
Chabrier: Gwendoline Overture
Delius: North Country Sketches
Franck, C: Le Chasseur maudit
Gretry: Zémire et Azor – Suite
Lalo: Symphony in G minor
Méhul: Symphony No. 2 in D major
Saint-Saëns: Samson et Dalila: ballet music
Strauss, R: Le Bourgeois Gentilhomme, Op. 60
Strauss, R: Suite for orchestra from Der Bürger als Edelmann (The Bourgeois Gentleman) Op. 60
Conductors
Beecham, Sir Thomas
Groups & Artists
BBC Symphony Orchestra
Royal Philharmonic Orchestra