If I Could Choose Only One Recording By....THOMAS BEECHAM

[@marcus8258]

A wonderful recording! Delius comes from my hometown of Bradford. The house he lived in is a pub named after him.

[@ericleiter6179]

Excellent choice...I bought that Warner box about 6 or 7 years ago, and I break it out at least twice a year and love virtually every second of it, (there are a few duds sonically speaking from like the 1930's), but this box alone gave me a new found appreciation and love for Delius that has never left me!

[@PhillipYewTree]

I have the 150th anniversary box with 18cds, which includes some by Beecham. His work is so enjoyable, especially on a summer afternoon sitting in the garden with a glass of wine …idyllic.

[@francis-808]

Delius-there’s a guy I don’t often hear about. What little I’ve heard, I’ve greatly enjoyed , so I am looking forward to this set. Thanks, Dave! 🎉

[@timyork6150]

Yes, it has to be Delius. I adore Delius' unique style of musical beauty and without Beecham would not know it nor would most other music lovers. Beecham was also great in Mozart, Haydn, Schubert, some Beethoven, Berlioz and other French 19th century music but they would be present in the repertoire without him. He also had a remarkable personality and was by far the outstanding British musical figure during my youth.

[@nickboldewskul2136]

I shall need to expand my Beecham recordings. I only have his La Boheme, which is my favorite recording of that opera. Among the Delius works, I have only Benno Moiseiwitsch playing his piano concerto, but I can't remember any of the music. Note to myself: Explore Delius's compostional output and repeat listening to his piano concerto. Thank you, Dave and KZbin.

[@bikejack1]

A comment from Sir Thomas regarding Delius. " Here is a composer whom I had never seen or heard before; whose music was unlike any other, or anything that was written at the time: that was about 1907. Nobody seemed to know what the devil to make of it! I found it as alluring as a wayward woman and determined to tame it..........And it wasn't done in a day." Quote from book Beecham Stories.

[@celmo4262]

Great choice Dave. My into to Delius was Sir Thomas’ stereo recording of Songs of Sunset with Maureen Forrester. I was amazed by the work. It is one of my desert island discs.

[@garysikon1812]

I just got this set last week! Not knowing anything about Delius except his reputation i wasnt expecting much. Was i wrong this is wonderful music!

[@grantparsons6205]

I think of Beecham as a conductor who was not always the first choice in what he did, but who had in spades that most elusive of qualities: charm & style. I love his Haydn. I find that a comparison of his & Szell's recordings of the symphonies provide insights into the strengths & weaknesses of both conductors

[@fredcasden]

Delius by Beecham with Mildred as an added attraction. What more can one ask for?

[@Warp75]

Another one I got to know through Ken Russell & his film Delius Song of Summer.

[@jeffheller642]

Funny enough I acquired this set last week and am finding it largely to my liking, despite concerns that it would sound like this side of muzak ... Were it not for the Delius set, my guess is a Beecham opera recording, like La Boheme, would have been selected.

[@MorganBallardWheeler]

Great video! Given the recent passing of Andrew Davis, could you make a similar video for his recordings?

[@Xingqiwu387]

I'm in love with Mildred! What a wonderful little friend she is.

[@HassoBenSoba]

Beecham + Delius = unique, rarefied music-making. Beecham recorded Appalachia (possibly Delius' masterpiece, IMO) in 1938 with the London Philharmonic. The sound is remarkably clear for its time, and the performance is superb in every way. It was originally on Columbia, and has been beautifully remastered by Dutton Laboratories. I know Beecham also recorded Appalachia in 1953, also for Columbia (I think), and the 1970's budget pressings were dreadful. I'm wondering what version is contained in this Warner box; was there a third recording? LR

[@bbailey7818]

Appalachia, absolutely. It's definitely my favorite Delius. Also, the Mass of Life is so powerful, though I really can't tell you what the hell it's about.

[@charlescoleman5509]

I thought Delius got syphilis in Paris. Not Florida. 🤷‍♂️

[@DavesClassicalGuide]

Same difference.

[@nattyco]

Mildred is gorgeous. Do you have another cat too? 50 years ago Delius was a regular for opening orchestral concerts in the UK and where I lived Charles Groves also did much to promote his music. Today, other than Paradise Garden and La Calinda, his music isn't played so often. As for one Beecham recording I would be torn between La Boheme and his set of Haydn London symphonies. Beecham's RPO was a fine orchestra, which complimented his talent.

[@DavesClassicalGuide]

Yes, Mildred's sister Finster.

[@nattyco]

@@DavesClassicalGuide I guess she must be too shy to come on camera. I hope they get on well together.

[@cspiegs1]

Delius is one of those composers I'm not that familiar with. So after watching your video, I looked up this set on Amazon for which they had 5 left. As i was ordering it though, it went to temporarily out of stock (that was fast). So now i have to wait. But I was wondering if it's better to get the 150 year anniversary set with the 17 CD's. Seems about 2/3's of it is choral and opera though (not my biggest like) and it is about $70 for that set vs $20 for the 7cd set. Is everything in the smaller set in the larger set?

[@DavesClassicalGuide]

Why not listen to some samples on KZbin or elsewhere first and decide if you want to explore further?

[@bloodgrss]

Big fan of Delius and Mildred. By the way, your friend Norman Lebrecht is fighting you back. The latest (as a sort of memorial to the late Sir Andrew Davis) is to say Sir Thomas Beecham is 'overrated'.

[@DavesClassicalGuide]

Oy.

[@davidpeterkin1237]

@@DavesClassicalGuide Vey

[@bbailey7818]

Tully Potter did that also, boosting Boult over Beecham. That might have partially been about repertoire.

[@bloodgrss]

No surprise; Boult hated Beecham on personal and not artistic grounds.@@bbailey7818

[@bloodgrss]

Boult HATED Beecham personally, out of jealousy and friendship with Sir Tom's first wife. He certainly may have felt he was a better conductor, but it was personal as much as repertoire...@@bbailey7818

[@dizwell]

I am not terribly keen on Delius. 😢 But I am a big fan of Mildred.😅

[@guillaumechabason3165]

I want a Mildred complete boxset

[@gavingriffiths2633]

Delius is like Scriabin - post Wagner - one offs - very idiosyncratic and not very popular and yet....if you have a taste for either (or both!) no other music will DO! And it would be lovely if the Beecham Columbia recordings could return to circulation...

[@neilford99]

Delius is beloved in my household.

[@bernardley4540]

Our friend Lebrecht has included Beecham (but not Rattle) on his arbitrary list of overrated British conductors.

[@howard5259]

Well, don't overrate Lebrecht