Sir Thomas Beecham

Sir Thomas Beecham would have been a hundred years old in April 1979, yet he still lives on--through the orchestras he founded, the recordings he made, and the anecdotes he inspired. For close on half a century he dominated the English musical scene--founding, managing, sponsoring and conducting orchestras and opera companies. This 'centenary tribute' portrays the controversial music-maker in all his versatility and tireless energy. As Sir Robert Mayer writes in his foreword: 'Beecham was unique. Others were patrons, innovators, conductors, impresarios. He combined all these functions in himself, but he was endowed in addition with the rare quality of genius.' This book elucidates each of Beecham's achievements--in particular his creation of three new orchestras (and his rescuing of others) and his championship of the music of Delius, Richard Strauss and Handel. The public image of 'TB' was that of man of the world, orator and extrovert, with a penchant for writing pithy letters to the Daily Telegraph. Behind this shield his private life and his personal fortunes--derived from the family business of Beechams Pills--fluctuated wildly, yet his absolute commitment to producing music for others never wavered. The author has had the full co-operation of Shirley, Lady Beecham in writing this book, and the result is an invaluable summary of a spectacular career.