Various: Post-war Revival (LPO Audio CD)

THE POST-WAR REVIVAL

EDUARD VAN BEINUM conducts the London Philharmonic Orchestra


Eugenia Zareska - mezzo-soprano

London Philharmonic Orchestra / Eduard van Beinum


Eduard van Beinum succeeded Sir Thomas Beecham as Principal Conductor and Artistic Director of the London Philharmonic Orchestra in 1949 following a number of successful collaborations with the Orchestra in the concert hall and the recording studio. On his arrival he found an orchestra galvanised by the various talents of Wilhelm Furtwängler, Charles Münch, Erich Leinsdorf, Clemens Krauss, Erich Kleiber and Georg Szell.

The Dutchman’s impact on the orchestra and on London’s musical life was immediate and deep; but the relationship was cut short by ill-health and van Beinum stood down from the post in 1950. During this year he had begun to share the rostrum with Sir Adrian Boult, who stepped into the top job on van Beinum’s resignation.

This is a conductor with a strong feeling for British music. His early recordings with the Concertgebouw Orchestra for Decca included Britten’s Four Sea Interludes from Peter Grimes and in 1946 he made the first commercial recording of music by Malcolm Arnold. In 1949 he conducted the première of Britten’s Spring Symphony (with Kathleen Ferrier) at the Holland Festival.


London Philharmonic Orchestra LPO0011