Search - Sir Thomas Beecham in Montreal: Orchestre Symphonique de Montreal on DVD

A rare chance to see the great Sir Thomas Beecham in action

Alan Majeska | Bad Axe, MI, USA | 08/27/2005

(5 out of 5 stars)

"VAI's DVD, SIR THOMAS BEECHAM IN MONTREAL is a rare chance to see the great Sir Thomas Beecham (1879-1961) in action as he conducts his own arragned suite from GF Handel's operas, "Amaryllis Suite", 2 Mozart concert arias with Swiss soprano Maria Stader, and Mozart's Symphony 38 in D Major, "Prague" with the Montreal Symphony Orchestra in March, 1956. Handel and Mozart were two composers close to Beecham's heart: he recorded alot of their music, and his sympathy with them, and teamwork with the Montreal orchestra players shines brightly.

The picture quality (black and white) is good, considering it's age, but there are some blemishes in the film, as one might expect. But the overall quality is pretty good. The sound is quite good: mono, but rich and full in treble, midrange and bass. Beecham is not an overly dramatic conductor, and does not draw attention to himself. He is totally at the service of Handel, Mozart, and the viewer/listener.

I will find myself watching this DVD again and again. One regret of mine is the length: 58 minutes, but this is most enjoyable, and money well spent. Another regret is that there aren't more DVDs of Beecham readily available from VAI, or via Amazon.com, but I will be on the lookout for them."