Immerse yourself in the rich tapestry of classical music with Sir Thomas Beecham's "The Arrival of the Queen of Sheba," a meticulously curated collection of timeless compositions set to release on September 13, 2025, under the prestigious Warner Classics label. This expansive album spans a generous 3 hours and 2 minutes, featuring 67 tracks that traverse the genres of classical, orchestral, and opera, offering a comprehensive journey through the works of some of history's most celebrated composers.
Sir Thomas Beecham, renowned for his distinctive interpretations and vibrant performances, conducts a diverse array of pieces, from the regal grandeur of Handel's "Solomon" to the lyrical elegance of Mozart's "Divertimento No. 2 in D Major." The album also showcases the dramatic intensity of Beethoven's "Symphony No. 7 in A Major" and the delicate beauty of Fauré's "Dolly Suite," among many others. Each track is a testament to Beecham's mastery, bringing a unique blend of passion and precision to every note.
Highlights include the enchanting "Polovtsian Dances" from Borodin's "Prince Igor," the serene melodies of Sibelius's "Pelléas et Mélisande Suite," and the spirited rhythms of Grieg's "Peer Gynt." The album also features lesser-known gems such as Delius's "Brigg Fair" and Chabrier's "Joyeuse marche," adding depth and variety to the collection.
"The Arrival of the Queen of Sheba" is not just an album; it is a celebration of musical excellence, showcasing the brilliance of Sir Thomas Beecham and the enduring appeal of classical music. Whether you are a seasoned aficionado or a newcomer to the genre, this album promises an enriching and rewarding listening experience.
Handel: Solomon, HWV 67, Act 3: Sinfonia "The Arrival of the Queen of Sheba" (Orch. Beecham)George Frideric Handel, Sir Thomas Beecham, Royal Philharmonic Orchestra
Borodin: Prince Igor, Act 2, Polovtsian Dances: Pt. 1, Introduction - Gliding Dance of the MaidensAlexander Borodin, Sir Thomas Beecham, Beecham Choral Society, Royal Philharmonic Orchestra
Borodin: Prince Igor, Act 2, Polovtsian Dances: Pt. 2, Wild Dance of the MenAlexander Borodin, Sir Thomas Beecham, Royal Philharmonic Orchestra
Borodin: Prince Igor, Act 2, Polovtsian Dances: Pt. 3, General DanceAlexander Borodin, Sir Thomas Beecham, Beecham Choral Society, Royal Philharmonic Orchestra
Borodin: Prince Igor, Act 2, Polovtsian Dances: Pt. 4, Dance of the BoysAlexander Borodin, Sir Thomas Beecham, Beecham Choral Society, Royal Philharmonic Orchestra
Borodin: Prince Igor, Act 2, Polovtsian Dances: Pt. 5, Gliding Dance of The MaidensAlexander Borodin, Sir Thomas Beecham, Beecham Choral Society, Royal Philharmonic Orchestra
Borodin: Prince Igor, Act 2, Polovtsian Dances: Pt. 6, Dance of The BoysAlexander Borodin, Sir Thomas Beecham, Beecham Choral Society, Royal Philharmonic Orchestra
Borodin: Prince Igor, Act 2, Polovtsian Dances: Pt. 7, General DanceAlexander Borodin, Sir Thomas Beecham, Beecham Choral Society, Royal Philharmonic Orchestra
Mozart: Divertimento No. 2 in D Major, K. 131: I. AllegroWolfgang Amadeus Mozart, Royal Philharmonic Orchestra, Sir Thomas Beecham
Mozart: Divertimento No. 2 in D Major, K. 131: II. AdagioWolfgang Amadeus Mozart, Royal Philharmonic Orchestra, Sir Thomas Beecham
Mozart: Divertimento No. 2 in D Major, K. 131: IV. AllegrettoWolfgang Amadeus Mozart, Royal Philharmonic Orchestra, Sir Thomas Beecham
Mozart: Divertimento No. 2 in D Major, K. 131: V. MenuettoWolfgang Amadeus Mozart, Royal Philharmonic Orchestra, Sir Thomas Beecham
Mozart: Divertimento No. 2 in D Major, K. 131: VI. Adagio - Allegro moltoWolfgang Amadeus Mozart, Royal Philharmonic Orchestra, Sir Thomas Beecham
Sibelius: Symphony No. 7 in C Major, Op. 105: III. Allegro molto moderatoJean Sibelius, Royal Philharmonic Orchestra, Sir Thomas Beecham
Sibelius: Symphony No. 7 in C Major, Op. 105: IV. Vivace - Presto - AdagioJean Sibelius, Royal Philharmonic Orchestra, Sir Thomas Beecham
Sibelius: Pelléas et Mélisande Suite, Op. 46: IV. A Spring in the ParkJean Sibelius, Royal Philharmonic Orchestra, Sir Thomas Beecham
Sibelius: Pelléas et Mélisande Suite, Op. 46: VI. PastoraleJean Sibelius, Royal Philharmonic Orchestra, Sir Thomas Beecham
Sibelius: Pelléas et Mélisande Suite, Op. 46: VII. Mélisande at the Spinning WheelJean Sibelius, Royal Philharmonic Orchestra, Sir Thomas Beecham
Mozart: Die Entführung aus dem Serail, K. 384: OvertureWolfgang Amadeus Mozart, Sir Thomas Beecham, Royal Philharmonic Orchestra
Mozart: Bassoon Concerto in B-Flat Major, K. 191: III. Rondo. Tempo di menuettoWolfgang Amadeus Mozart, Sir Thomas Beecham, Gwydion Brooke, Royal Philharmonic Orchestra
Mozart: Clarinet Concerto in A Major, K. 622: II. AdagioWolfgang Amadeus Mozart, Jack Brymer, Royal Philharmonic Orchestra, Sir Thomas Beecham
Mozart: March in D Major, K. 249 "Haffner"Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, Royal Philharmonic Orchestra, Sir Thomas Beecham
Mozart: Thamos, König in Ägypten K. 345: Intermezzo No. 2Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, Royal Philharmonic Orchestra, Sir Thomas Beecham
Mozart: Symphony No. 41 in C Major, K. 551 "Jupiter": IV. Molto allegroWolfgang Amadeus Mozart, Royal Philharmonic Orchestra, Sir Thomas Beecham
Lalo: Symphony in G Minor: IV. AllegroÉdouard Lalo, Orchestre National Radiodiffusion Française, Sir Thomas Beecham
Grieg: Peer Gynt, Op. 23, Act 1: No. 2, The Bridal ProcessionEdvard Grieg, Sir Thomas Beecham, Royal Philharmonic Orchestra
Grieg: Peer Gynt, Op. 23, Act 3: No. 12, The Death of ÅseEdvard Grieg, Sir Thomas Beecham, Royal Philharmonic Orchestra
Grieg: Peer Gynt, Op. 23, Act 4: No. 15, Arabian DanceEdvard Grieg, Sir Thomas Beecham, Beecham Choral Society, Ilse Hollweg, Royal Philharmonic Orchestra
Grieg: Peer Gynt, Op. 23, Act 5: No. 21, Prelude. Peer Gynt's HomecomingEdvard Grieg, Sir Thomas Beecham, Royal Philharmonic Orchestra
Gounod: Roméo et Juliette, Act 5: Le sommeil de JulietteCharles Gounod, Royal Philharmonic Orchestra, Sir Thomas Beecham
Fauré: Dolly, Op. 56: IV. Kitty-valse (Orch. Rabaud)Gabriel Fauré, Orchestre National Radiodiffusion Française, Sir Thomas Beecham
Fauré: Dolly, Op. 56: V. Tendresse (Orch. Rabaud)Gabriel Fauré, Orchestre National Radiodiffusion Française, Sir Thomas Beecham
Fauré: Dolly, Op. 56: VI. Le pas espagnol (Orch. Rabaud)Gabriel Fauré, Orchestre National Radiodiffusion Française, Sir Thomas Beecham
Delius: Brigg Fair "An English Rhapsody": Interlude. Slow and Very QuietlyFrederick Delius, Royal Philharmonic Orchestra, Sir Thomas Beecham
Delibes: Le roi s'amuse, Scène du bal: I. GaillardeLéo Delibes, Royal Philharmonic Orchestra, Sir Thomas Beecham
Delibes: Le roi s'amuse, Scène du bal: II. PavaneLéo Delibes, Royal Philharmonic Orchestra, Sir Thomas Beecham
Delibes: Le roi s'amuse, Scène du bal: III. Scène du bouquetLéo Delibes, Royal Philharmonic Orchestra, Sir Thomas Beecham
Delibes: Le roi s'amuse, Scène du bal: IV. LesquercardeLéo Delibes, Royal Philharmonic Orchestra, Sir Thomas Beecham
Delibes: Le roi s'amuse, Scène du bal: V. MadrigalLéo Delibes, Royal Philharmonic Orchestra, Sir Thomas Beecham
Delibes: Le roi s'amuse, Scène du bal: VI. PassepiedLéo Delibes, Royal Philharmonic Orchestra, Sir Thomas Beecham
Delibes: Le roi s'amuse, Scène du bal: VII. FinaleLéo Delibes, Royal Philharmonic Orchestra, Sir Thomas Beecham
Brahms: Symphony No. 2 in D Major, Op. 73: III. Allegretto grazioso. Quasi andantinoJohannes Brahms, Royal Philharmonic Orchestra, Sir Thomas Beecham
Chabrier: Joyeuse marcheEmmanuel Chabrier, Royal Philharmonic Orchestra, Sir Thomas Beecham
Debussy: L'Enfant prodigue, CD 61, L. 57: Cortège et air de danseClaude Debussy, Royal Philharmonic Orchestra, Sir Thomas Beecham
Bizet: Symphony in C Major, WD 33: III. Scherzo. Allegro vivaceGeorges Bizet, Orchestre National Radiodiffusion Française, Sir Thomas Beecham
Bizet: Carmen, WD 31, Act 2: Entr'acteGeorges Bizet, Sir Thomas Beecham, Orchestre National Radiodiffusion Française
Bizet: Carmen, WD 31, Act 1: Habanera. "L'amour est un oiseau rebelle" (Carmen, Chœur)Georges Bizet, Sir Thomas Beecham, Victoria de los Ángeles, Chœur de la Radiodiffusion française, Orchestre National Radiodiffusion Française
Beethoven: The Ruins of Athens, Op. 113: No. 4, Turkish MarchLudwig van Beethoven, Sir Thomas Beecham, Royal Philharmonic Orchestra
Beethoven: Mass in C Major, Op. 86: I. KyrieLudwig van Beethoven, Sir Thomas Beecham, Beecham Choral Society, Jennifer Vyvyan, Marian Nowakowski, Monica Sinclair, Richard Lewis, Royal Philharmonic Orchestra
Beethoven: Symphony No. 7 in A Major, Op. 92: IV. Allegro con brioLudwig van Beethoven, Royal Philharmonic Orchestra, Sir Thomas Beecham