This CD is reissued by ArkivMusic.
Notes and Editorial Reviews
Beecham revels in the music's vibrant colors and dancing rhythms. For fanciers of French music, as well as connoisseurs of great conducting, this disc is a must.
These recordings offer an excellent opportunity to hear an authentic French orchestral sound, something increasingly rare today. Thomas Beecham puts the French National Radio Orchestra's special qualities--pungent winds, bright-toned strings, and swaggering brass (the trombones have that "singing" quality familiar from Russian orchestras)--to prodigious use in this stirring performance of Franck's D minor symphony. Clear textures and full, ripe timbres take us deeply into the score, while Beecham's emotional intensity makes for a moving experience.
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It's a different kind of intensity than offered by Monteux, whose fast-paced, passionate conducting practically ignites the first movement. Interestingly, Beecham's timings are similar to Monteux's, but without the latter's volatility; instead he maintains a steady pulse, building tension by focused concentration. This illuminates the beauties of Franck's slow movement, while the finale, in contrast, is as fiercely jubilant as we've ever heard it. A marvelous performance.
Heard immediately after the melodically rich, emotionally involving Franck, Lalo's G minor symphony sounds somewhat prosaic, especially as the work's motto theme strongly resembles Brahms' Piano Concerto No. 2. But Beecham knows where the music's special qualities lie, and he brings them to the fore with his characteristic flair and ear for detail. Especially so in the tender slow movement and in the sprightly finale, where Beecham revels in the music's vibrant colors and dancing rhythms, bringing the symphony to a rousing conclusion. Again, the orchestra plays with palpable enthusiasm and consummate musicianship, attributes that extend to Fauré's beautiful Pavane. EMI's remastered early 1960s recordings are somewhat lacking in warmth but otherwise offer impressive clarity and solidity. For fanciers of French music, as well as connoisseurs of great conducting, this disc is a must.
--Victor Carr Jr, ClassicsToday.com Read less
Works on This Recording
1.
Symphony in D minor, M 48 by César Franck
Conductor:
Sir Thomas Beecham
Orchestra/Ensemble:
ORTF National Orchestra
Period: Romantic
Written: 1886-1888; France
Date of Recording: 1959
Venue: Paris, France
2.
Symphony in G minor by Edouard Lalo
Conductor:
Sir Thomas Beecham
Orchestra/Ensemble:
ORTF National Orchestra
Period: Romantic
Written: 1885-1886; France
Date of Recording: 1959
Venue: Paris, France
3.
Pavane, Op. 50 by Gabriel Fauré
Conductor:
Sir Thomas Beecham
Orchestra/Ensemble:
ORTF National Orchestra
Period: Romantic
Written: 1887; France
Date of Recording: 1959
Venue: Paris, France
Sound Samples
Symphony in D minor (2004 Digital Remaster): I. Lento - Allegro non troppo
Symphony in D minor (2004 Digital Remaster): II. Allegretto - Poco più lento - Tempo I
Symphony in D minor (2004 Digital Remaster): III. Allegro non troppo
Symphony in G minor (2004 Digital Remaster): Andante - Allegro non troppo
Symphony in G minor (2004 Digital Remaster): Vivace
Symphony in G minor (2004 Digital Remaster): Adagio
Symphony in G minor (2004 Digital Remaster): Allegro
Pavane Op. 50 (2004 Digital Remaster)
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