Sir Beecham in Montréal
VAI DVD 4230, $29.95

Sir Thomas Beecham (1879-1961) was one of the most venerated and celebrated conductors of his time. Though he was renowned for his rapier-style wit, Sir Thomas was a serious, extraordinarily gifted musician who illuminated even overly-familiar works with his own magical light.

Sir Thomas’s television appearances were, surprisingly, largely limited to North America. His concerts were captured by cameras in Chicago, Toronto, and Montréal, but, apparently, only once in his native country. The Montréal concert, which took place in 1956, is the earliest of Sir Thomas’s television appearances. The original kinescope, which was thought to be lost, was recently rediscovered and restored to the Montréal studios of Radio-Canada.

This historic document, comprised of music of the two composers closest to Sir Thomas’s heart, is of major importance both to Beecham collectors and to all lovers of great music. Video Artists International is proud to have played a part in its rediscovery and release.

George Frideric Handel (1685-1759),
Amaryllis Suite (based on ballet music from Handel operas) 15:54
arr. by Beecham

Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart (1756-1791)

Vorrei spiegarvi, oh Dio, K.418 5:49
Voi avete un cor fedele, K.217 5:36
with Maria Stader, soprano

Symphony No. 38 in D, "Prague," K.504
I. Adagio - Allegro 10:09
II. Andante 9:25
III. Presto 4:06

Orchestra Symphonique de Montréal
Sir Thomas Beecham, conductor

Telecast of March 22, 1956

58 minutes, CANADA, 1956, Black & White
Licensed by the Société Radio-Canada ©1956 (All Rights Reserved)
Packaging and Design ©2001 Video Artists International, Inc.
Cover photo courtesy of Roger Gross