French Favourites
View record and artist detailsRecord and Artist Details
Composer or Director: Georges Bizet, Charles-François Gounod, Jules (Emile Frédéric) Massenet, (Alexis-)Emmanuel Chabrier, André-Ernest-Modeste Grétry
Label: Beecham Edition
Magazine Review Date: 9/1992
Media Format: CD or Download
Media Runtime: 76
Mastering:
Mono
ADD
Catalogue Number: 763401-2
Tracks:
Composition | Artist Credit |
---|---|
Gwendoline, Movement: Overture |
(Alexis-)Emmanuel Chabrier, Composer
(Alexis-)Emmanuel Chabrier, Composer French Radio National Orchestra Thomas Beecham, Conductor |
Faust, Movement: BALLET MUSIC |
Charles-François Gounod, Composer
Charles-François Gounod, Composer Royal Philharmonic Orchestra Thomas Beecham, Conductor |
Cendrillon, 'Cinderella', Movement: Pour en faire un tissu (Waltz) |
Jules (Emile Frédéric) Massenet, Composer
Jules (Emile Frédéric) Massenet, Composer Royal Philharmonic Orchestra Thomas Beecham, Conductor |
Roma |
Georges Bizet, Composer
Georges Bizet, Composer |
Zémire et Azor, Movement: ~ |
André-Ernest-Modeste Grétry, Composer
André-Ernest-Modeste Grétry, Composer Royal Philharmonic Orchestra Thomas Beecham, Conductor |
Patrie |
Georges Bizet, Composer
Georges Bizet, Composer Royal Philharmonic Orchestra Thomas Beecham, Conductor |
(La) Vierge, Movement: Le dernier sommeil de la Vierge (Last Sleep of the |
Jules (Emile Frédéric) Massenet, Composer
Jules (Emile Frédéric) Massenet, Composer Royal Philharmonic Orchestra Thomas Beecham, Conductor |
España |
(Alexis-)Emmanuel Chabrier, Composer
(Alexis-)Emmanuel Chabrier, Composer London Philharmonic Orchestra Thomas Beecham, Conductor |
Author:
So here are some mono ''French Favourites''. The later items do not have any special quality of sound, and indeed the 1947 Massenet Vierge excerpt and Chabrier's Espana from 1940, both excellently transferred from 78rpm masters, are scarcely outclassed. But when it comes to the performances this disc emerges as a must for all lovers of French music. What a marvellously uplifting overture is Chabrier's Gwendoline, with Beecham clearly revelling in and playing out to the full its Wagnerian influences. He brings the Faust ballet music to life with incomparable grace and tenderness: the Gretry suite, rather romantically arranged by Sir Thomas, is still played with inimitable elegance and refinement, while Espana tingles with life and vitality. Bizet's Patrie is far below the composer's best, but Beecham conducts it with much panache, and the movement from the same composer's Roma symphonic suite has an enjoyably jaunty swagger. Both Massenet items are enchantingly played. A mostly magical 76 minutes of vintage Beecham.'
Explore the world’s largest classical music catalogue on Apple Music Classical.
Included with an Apple Music subscription. Download now.
Gramophone Digital Club
- Digital Edition
- Digital Archive
- Reviews Database
- Events & Offers
From £9.20 / month
SubscribeGramophone Club
- Print Edition
- Digital Edition
- Digital Archive
- Reviews Database
- Events & Offers
From £11.45 / month
Subscribe
If you are a library, university or other organisation that would be interested in an institutional subscription to Gramophone please click here for further information.