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Track Listings
| 1. Allegro vivo |
| 2. Adagio |
| 3. Allegro vivace & Trio |
| 4. Allegro vivace |
| 5. Prélude |
| 6. Menuet |
| 7. Adagietto |
| 8. Carillon |
| 9. Pastorale |
| 10. Intermezzo |
| 11. Minuet (from 'La jolie fille de Perth') |
| 12. Farandole |
Product Description
Amazon.co.uk Review
More long-cherished friends from the EMI archives, sounding fresher than ever in these latest digital remasterings. The two L'Arlesienne suites were set down at Abbey Road Studios during just one September day in 1956. They remain, quite simply, among the most treasurable examples of Thomas Beecham's inimitable art that we have (the disc would be worth acquiring for the indelible, achingly poignant "Adagietto" from the first suite alone). What seemingly boundless reserves of tender poetry, intimate delicacy and zestful swagger Sir Thomas lavishes on Bizet's evergreen music. An especial word of praise, too, for an unforgettably personable and charismatic contribution from the RPO's superb roster of woodwind principals. Glowing affection and tingling spontaneity are also hallmarks of the famous 1959 recording of the Symphony in C. True, the playing of the French National Radio Orchestra doesn't always match the RPO's in terms of poise, but Beecham's gloriously warm-hearted interpretation is an absolute joy from start to finish. As should be abundantly clear by now, this is a very special CD. --Andrew Achenbach
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Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
9 of 9 people found the following review helpful
Format:Audio CD
When Beecham came to Australia, one cartoonist depicted him as conducting with a magic wand. Listen to him conducting these colourful Bizet orchestral items and you'll know why. In the "L'Arlesienne" suites, the melodic lines, especially for woodwinds, are beautifully phrased, there is amazing gusto in the Farandole, and the string playing in the Adagietto is like gossamer. The Bizet symphony was recorded in Paris during Beecham's last series of recording sessions. The 80 year old conductor works his magic here too, identifying and eliciting all the freshness of the 17 year old composer's symphony. These are performances to treasure for all time.
3 of 3 people found the following review helpful
Format:Audio CD|Amazon Verified Purchase
Beecham had an affinity with French music and his treatment of both the symphony and the suites here oozes charm and delicacy - what could be more Gallic and refined than his tripping account of the minuet in Suite no.1? He then moves into the most tender and restrained Adagietto you could wish. The slightly thin stereo sound does not always do complete justice to the RPO strings, but how beautifully they and especially the woodwind caress this music. It is possible to deliver this music with more drive and propulsion, but how sweetly Beecham lingers over the pastoral interlude for flutes and oboes in the carillon, transporting us into a gentler, Arcadian world, then seamlessly swells into the mini-finale. At first listening, I thought I could do with a bit more bite in the opening movement of the second suite, but it is after all called a "Pastorale" and I trust Beecham's instincts and so it proved as he eased into the Moorish dance with its light, distant tambourines. Beecham easily encompasses the grander aspirations and denser orchestration of the Intermezzo without becoming portentous and the saxophone is a delight, as are the harp, flute and saxophone once more in the Minuet that Guiraud cunningly lifted from Act 3 of Bizet's "La Jolie fille de Perth". The Farandole is appropriately sonorous and stately, entwining with the "Marcho dei Rei" from the Prelude and building to a splendid climax.
As has often been remarked, l'Orchestre National de la Radiodiffusion Française is not as polished an outfit as the RPO but they play with verve and commitment, watery horns, grainy woodwind and all. Beecham draws out all the sprightly bounce and élan of this little miracle of a symphony, sounding closer in age to the 17 year-old-composer rather than the octogenarian he was when he recorded this piece in 1959.
As has often been remarked, l'Orchestre National de la Radiodiffusion Française is not as polished an outfit as the RPO but they play with verve and commitment, watery horns, grainy woodwind and all. Beecham draws out all the sprightly bounce and élan of this little miracle of a symphony, sounding closer in age to the 17 year-old-composer rather than the octogenarian he was when he recorded this piece in 1959.
8 of 9 people found the following review helpful
Format:Audio CD
My copy cost £1 from the discard shelf at my local public library and I bought it not knowing its legendary status.
It was only after I listened to it - and was delighted by both the performances and the amazingly good sound quality - that I did the reseach and discovered what a find I had.
Strongly recommended.
It was only after I listened to it - and was delighted by both the performances and the amazingly good sound quality - that I did the reseach and discovered what a find I had.
Strongly recommended.
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