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Thomas Beecham

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Conductor

The Resume

    (April 29, 1879-March 8, 1961)
    Born in St. Helens, England, United Kingdom
    Founded the Beecham Symphony Orchestra (1909), London Philharmonic Orchestra (1932) and Royal Philharmonic Orchestra (1946)
    Promoted the works of Richard Strauss, Hector Berlioz, Frederick Delius and Jean Sibelius

Why he might be annoying:

    During a tour of Germany, he agreed to Nazi requests to not play the works of Felix Mendelssohn (1936).
    He would sometimes shout during the more dramatic parts of the works he conducted.
    He refused to hire women for his orchestras, saying 'If they are attractive it will upset my players and if they're not it will upset me.'
    The 'Times' of London described his versiion of Bach's Third Brandenberg Concerto as 'a travesty, albeit an invigorating one.'
    He had a snobbish disdain for American culture.

Why he might not be annoying:

    He became one of England's greatest conductors despite having no formal musical training.
    The Royal Philharmonic has been called 'Britain's national orchestra.'
    During World War I, he often worked without pay to keep classical music alive in London.
    After meeting Hitler he said, 'Now I know what's wrong with Germany.'

Credit: C. Fishel


Featured in the following Annoying Collections:

Year In Review:

    In 2023, Out of 14 Votes: 50.0% Annoying
    In 2022, Out of 1 Votes: 0% Annoying
    In 2021, Out of 12 Votes: 75.00% Annoying
    In 2020, Out of 68 Votes: 41.18% Annoying
    In 2019, Out of 13 Votes: 69.23% Annoying
    In 2018, Out of 22 Votes: 59.09% Annoying
    In 2017, Out of 36 Votes: 61.11% Annoying
    In 2016, Out of 12 Votes: 83.33% Annoying
    In 2015, Out of 37 Votes: 75.68% Annoying
    In 2014, Out of 120 Votes: 62.50% Annoying
    In 2013, Out of 27 Votes: 62.96% Annoying
    In 2012, Out of 28 Votes: 60.71% Annoying
    In 2011, Out of 66 Votes: 75.76% Annoying
    In 2010, Out of 323 Votes: 65.94% Annoying
    In 2009, Out of 738 Votes: 68.83% Annoying
    In 2008, Out of 790 Votes: 68.86% Annoying
    In 2007, Out of 123 Votes: 68.29% Annoying