A terrific concert of Beecham ‘Lollipops’ (or encores)
opening with the urgency and drama of Chabrier’s Gwendoline Overture
and closing with an equally exciting reading of the same composer’s
colourful hedonistic Iberian evocation, España. Beecham
took as much care in his preparation and performance of these smaller
pieces as for the more substantial works in his wide-ranging repertoire.
This care in detail and nuance, rhythm and dynamics
is very evident in sparkling performances of his beloved Mozart. Just
listen to the liveliness and elegance in this reading of the K131 Divertimento
in D. Then there is his special way with the music of Frederick Delius
(he used to liken it to a wayward woman and that he was determined to
tame it). His Brigg Fair is a magical evocation of an English
landscape.
Beecham had a great affection for the sophistication
of French music. His version of Debussy’s ‘Cortège’ and ‘Air
de danse’ from L’Enfant prodigue is a beautiful balance of filigree
delicacy and exuberant passion against exotic impressionistic colourings.
Beecham also spins enchantment and high drama around Saint-Saëns
Le Rouet d’Omphale while the thrill of his ‘Royal Hunt and Storm’
from Berlioz’s The Trojans raises tingles (Berlioz was
another of Beecham’s passions). Massenet’s Last Sleep of the
Virgin is piously affecting here.
Graham Melville-Mason writes wittily about how the
Lollipops came to be so-named and of the magical way Beecham had in
coaxing such wonderful playing from his orchestras. The album includes
two tracks devoted to Beecham introducing the pieces by Massenet and
Chabrier. Before the Massenet he talks amusingly about the function
of the Lollipops.
Despite the advertised 20 bit digitally remastering,
it must be said that the mono sound is not exemplary.
A nice souvenir of Beecham’s popular Lollipop encores.
Ian Lace
The Royal Philharmonic
Orchestra conducted by Sir Thomas Beecham