Sir Thomas Beecham, 2nd Baronet, CH (29 April 1879 – 8 March 1961) was an English conductor and impresario best known for his association with the London Philharmonic and the Royal Philharmonic orchestras. He was also closely associated with the Liverpool Philharmonic and Hallé orchestras. From the early 20th century until his death, Beecham was a major influence on the musical life of Britain and, according to the BBC, was Britain's first international conductor.
Born to a rich industrial family, Beecham began his career as a conductor in 1899. He used his access to the family fortune to finance opera from the 1910s until the start of the Second World War, staging seasons at Covent Garden, Drury Lane and His Majesty's Theatre with international stars, his own orchestra and a wide repertoire. Among the works he introduced to England were Richard Strauss's Elektra, Salome and Der Rosenkavalier and three operas by Frederick Delius.
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. Other composers with whose music he was frequently associated were Haydn, Schubert, Sibelius and the composer he revered above all others, Mozart.
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Some of their strengths
Thomas Beecham has many admirable traits.
Based on spiritual traditions from around the world, they are someone who can be described as Energetic, Intelligent, Strong, Honest, Artistic, Bold, and Confident.
Strong and Diligent
According to Mysticism’s Astrology tradition, Thomas Beecham is someone who is a strong, diligent, and trustworthy person who approaches life with honesty and perseverance, but who is also physical, sensual, and artistic. A person who is ambitious and motivated.
Passionate and Intense
Based on Daoism’s Ba-Zi or ‘Chinese Zodiac’ tradition, people who know Thomas Beecham well know them as someone who can be passionate, proud, and intense, like the sun or a blazing fire.
Imaginative and Sentimental
According to Hinduism’s Jyotisha or ‘Vedic Astrology’ tradition, many would also describe Thomas Beecham as someone who is imaginative, sentimental, and in touch with emotions.
A person who has extremely good memory and analytical skills, likes to make sure that everyone gets along, enjoys all kinds of situations and people, has a talent for travel and languages, and who makes lifelong friends.
Emotionally Intelligent and Intuitive
Based on the Mayan Tzolk’in or ‘Mayan Astrology’ tradition, Thomas Beecham is someone who tends to have strong emotional intelligence and intuition, and who can be a catalyst of change for others.
They are also someone who is curious, dynamic, and positive, and who enjoys inspiring and communicating with other people.
Patient and Compassionate
According to Judaism’s Kabbalah tradition, Thomas Beecham tends to be someone who approaches life with grace and compassion, and who has a powerful and commanding personality. Who can be analytical, patient, and deliberate, avoiding risks and seeking out stability instead.
Some of Thomas Beecham's challenges
While Thomas Beecham has many strengths, nobody is perfect. They also have some challenging traits they need to manage.
For example, Thomas Beecham can be Stubborn, Status-seeking, Idle, Arrogant, Irritable, Moody, and Pleasure-seeking.
Stubborn and Idle
One of Thomas Beecham's key challenges is that they are someone who can be seen as stubborn and, at times, lazy.
Thomas Beecham must also exercise caution as they can have a hard time reconciling wants and needs.
Irritable and Moody
Thomas Beecham is someone who can be irritable and moody, have a tendency to experience self-doubt, be too secretive, can take too many risks, and who can have an extreme approach to managing personal finances.
Materialistic and Aggressive
Finally, Thomas Beecham also can be materialistic, emotional, aggressive, stubborn, inconsistent, and be prone to big temper outbursts.