| Code | DS/UK/346 |
| Name | Beecham; Sir; Thomas (29 April 1879-8 March 1961); 2nd Barronet of Ewanville, CH; English conductor and impresario |
| Dates | 29 April 1879-8 March 1961 |
| Gender | Male (cisgender) |
| Place of Birth/Origin | St Helens, Lancashire, England (born) |
| Relationships | Grandson of Thomas Beecham (chemist and founder of Beechams pharmaceutical business)
Son of Joseph Beecham and Josephine Burnett
Uncle of Audrey Beecham (poet)
Former spouse of Utica Celestina Welles and Betty Humby (pianist)
Former partner of Maud Alice (Lady Cunard) and Dora Labette (soprano)
Spouse of Shirley Hudson (secretary and RPO admin) |
| Biography | Sir Thomas Beecham, 2nd Baronet, CH was an English conductor and impresario best known for his association with the London Philharmonic and the Royal Philharmonic orchestras. He was associated with the Liverpool Philharmonic and Hallé orchestras. Beecham was a major influence on the musical life of Britain and, according to the BBC, was Britain's first international conductor.
Together with his younger colleague Malcolm Sargent, Beecham founded the London Philharmonic, and he conducted its first performance at the Queen's Hall in 1932. In the 1940s he worked for three years in the United States where he was music director of the Seattle Symphony and conducted at the Metropolitan Opera. After his return to Britain, he founded the Royal Philharmonic in 1946 and conducted it until his death in 1961.
Beecham's repertoire was eclectic, sometimes favouring lesser-known composers over famous ones. His specialities included composers whose works were neglected in Britain before he became their advocate, such as Delius and Berlioz. |