Beecham Conducts Balakirev, Rimsky-Korsakov & Borodin

On this CD:

1. Symphony No. 1 in C major
Composed by Mily Balakirev
Performed by BBC Symphony Orchestra
Conducted by Sir Thomas Beecham

2. The Golden Cockerel (Zolotoy petushok), opera in 3 acts with a prologue & epilogue Suite
Composed by Nikolay Andreyevich Rimsky-Korsakov
Performed by Royal Philharmonic Orchestra
Conducted by Sir Thomas Beecham

3. Prince Igor, opera (completed by Rimsky-Korsakov & Glazunov) Polovtsian Dances
Composed by Alexander Borodin
Performed by Royal Philharmonic Orchestra
Conducted by Sir Thomas Beecham

Tracks:

Symphony No.1 In C Major: I. Largo - Allegro Vivo - Mili Balakirev
Symphony No.1 In C Major: II. Scherzo. Vivo - Poco Meno Mosso - Tempo I - Mili Balakirev
Symphony No.1 In C Major: III. Andante - Attacca: - Mili Balakirev
Symphony No.1 In C Major: IV. Finale. Allegro Moderato - Tempo Di Polacca - Mili Balakirev
The Golden Cockerel - Suite: I. Introduction Et Sommeil De Dodon - Nikolai Rimsky-Korsakov
The Golden Cockerel: II. Le Roi Dodon En Campagne - Nikolai Rimsky-Korsakov
The Golden Cockerel: III. Danse De La Reine De Chemakha - Danse Du Roi Dodon - Nikolai Rimsky-Korsakov
The Golden Cockerel: IV. La Noce - Mort Du Roi Dodon - Finale - Nikolai Rimsky-Korsakov
Prince Igor: Polovtsian Dances - London Philharmonic Choir

Customer Reviews:

In presence of a genius of the baton!.......2006-10-17

Tomas Beecham' s status is due his impressive ability to convey the spirit of the score to the audience.

So despite of the fact the Russian music was not precisely a matter of priority for most of British conductors, Beecham assumed the big challenge this meant with prodigious results. That generation of notable conductors as Ernest Ansermet, Ferenc Fricsay or Hermann Sherchen had that affinity and special rapport with Borodin and Balakirev.

These performances with one of my favorite British orchestras ever, as the BBC was, are pure gold. Beecham made a notable incision, plenty of vivacious assertiveness and warmth oriental mood to give us one of the most notable achievements around this well known repertoire so many times listened but few times absolutely solvent.

For all those hard collectors and still more for all of us who knew about the kaleidoscopic gaze of this talented director, the recommendation is more than obvious. So don't think it over and go for this reference album.