THE BACKGROUND

SOMM is releasing a disc of works by Richard Strauss, conducted by Sir Thomas Beecham with the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra, recorded live in London’s Royal Festival Hall, remastered by Lani Spahr, and curated and annotated by Jon Tolansky.

Sir Thomas and Strauss enjoyed a mutual admiration relationship over nearly forty years. The Royal Philharmonic Orchestra was founded in 1946 by Beecham, and during his tenure several Strauss compositions received their English premieres.

THE MUSIC

Macbeth, op. 23; Suite from Le Bourgeois Gentilhomme, op. 60; Dance of the Seven Veils from Salome; Don Juan, op. 20; Till Eulenspiegel’s Merry Pranks, op. 28.

THE RECORDING

Capable of handling both the bombast and percussive outbursts of the Macbeth tone poem and the lightness of Le Bourgeois Gentilhomme, the SOMM recording displays a remarkable clear sound, immediate yet never overbearing in proximity. The orchestra’s performances, all led by Sir Thomas Beecham, evidence utmost care and precision, all the while displaying fire and brimstone sonority in the Macbeth tone poem, charm in the Suite from Le Bourgeois Gentilhomme, sinuous exoticism in the Dance of the Seven Veils from Salome, impassioned thrust in the Don Juan tone poem, and broad humor in Till Eulenspiegel’s Merry Pranks.

Rafael de Acha © 2023