Search - Beecham, Royal Philharmonic Orcehstra :: Sir Thomas Beecham conducts Delius [United Kingdom]

Delius' Champion

Michael B. Richman | Portland, Maine USA | 01/05/2006

(4 out of 5 stars)

"British composer Frederick Delius basically owes his legacy to conductor Sir Thomas Beecham. In fact my introduction to Delius came via Beecham's disc in EMI's "Great Recordings of the Century" series. This Sony import title captures TB in mono performances from 1949-52 of Delius works not included in that aforementioned EMI CD. Here he leads his Royal Philharmonic Orchestra in "North Country Sketches," the rhapsody "In a Summer Garden," and "Appalachia." Many classical music devotees dismiss Delius as a lightweight, but I find this music to be compelling if not absolutely essential. In all, another fine Beecham reissue from Sony UK."