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 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.
Beecham rehearsing in 1948
The Beecham factory in St Helens
Beecham, c. 1910
Caricature of Beecham by "Emu", 1910
London Philharmonic Orchestra
The London Philharmonic Orchestra (LPO) is one of five permanent symphony orchestras based in London. It was founded by the conductors Sir Thomas Beecham and Malcolm Sargent in 1932 as a rival to the existing London Symphony and BBC Symphony Orchestras.
The Royal Festival Hall, London, the main base of the orchestra
Sir Thomas Beecham, founding father and first conductor of the LPO
Programme of the first LPO concert (modern reconstruction of unavailable original)
Queen's Hall, destroyed, with many LPO instruments, by bombing in 1941