REFINED MOZARTIAN TREASURE
This is a peach of a disc. After reading a recent hot debate in the pages
of 'Gramophone' regarding Beecham's Mozart credentials, I was inclined to
refer doubters along to this disc for an experience that will not easily
be forgotten. As a compendium of impeccable RPO playing, it is indispensable,
also as a souvenir of Dennis Brain's unmatched horn halloos, surely his death
can be counted as one of the supreme musical tragedies of the century. Beecham's
flair and vivacious wit are underlined in this brisk and breezy reading of
'Die Zauberflote'.
Comparing it with his earlier 30's account with the LPO, I detected much
greater presence and of course the sound is greatly improved in this recording.
It is a pity that EMI never deemed it fit to be reissued so let's thank God
for Dutton! The Concerto for Flute and Harp is perhaps just a little more
well-known. This cheerfully breezy 1948 version brings together two exquisite
French soloists of whom I was ignorant although it would be pertinent to
set the reader's mind at rest that this is playing of the highest order
throughout.
René Le Roy's charmingly seductive flute playing compliments Laskine's
cultured and mannered harp, it is indeed a marriage made in paradise! Beecham's
magic way with this, one of Mozart's most delicate works comes off with quite
seductive wizardry especially in that timeless Adagio. More tricks are to
be found in the hilarious romp that Dennis Brain and Beecham make out of
the rarely heard Divertimento No. 2. This hugely entertaining work is given
a highly characterful reading throughout and Dennis Brain's horn solos are
simply out of this world.
As if this was not enough, Dutton choose to conclude the disc with a hilarious
rendering of the short Symphony No. 27. Beecham had a special affection for
the late Mozart symphonies but he still shows himself a dab hand even in
this relatively early style. Indeed this recording brings almost half of
the Mozart canon available under his baton. The playing is virtuosic and
refined although the rusty recording does not help matters, one almost wonders
where EMI's engineering was almost five years after 'ffrr'. As usual notes
and presentation are impeccably authentic and I await Volume 5 of this classic
RPO legacy with huge anticipation.
Reviewer
Gerald Fenech
Performance:
Sound:
René
Le Roy, Lili Laskine, Dennis Brain, Royal Philharmonic Orchestra Sir Thomas
Beecham 
