On 10th May 1956 the premiere of Leonard Salzedo’s 1st Symphony by the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra (of which Leonard was a member) conducted by Sir Thomas Beecham took place at the Royal Festival Hall, London.

Sir Thomas Beecham

Leonard Salzedo writes

‘Early in 1956 I had a message that Sir Thomas Beecham had some concerts at the Royal Festival Hall and wanted to include a work of mine in the programme.  I had already shown him several of my scores and he gave me carte blanche to choose which piece.

Leonard gets a bit tipsy!

‘When I went to see him at his flat, he asked ‘Mr. Salzedo, may I have your permission to put a few marks in the score of your Symphony?’ I readily agreed – I understood what he wanted to do.  Then he asked me if I would like a drink. ‘A glass of sherry, please.’  He opened a sideboard and looked around for a few moments. ‘We don’t seem to have any sherry but what about some of this Drambuie?’  He procured a tumbler and proceeded to half fill it.  When I left, I must confess the world was going round a little!  I sobered up on the bus home!

An exhilarating premiere

‘On May 10th, Sir Thomas gave an exhilarating performance of my 1st Symphony and it was well received.’

And the excellent reviews

‘It is logically thought out and designed.  The impulse is firmly carried through, with variety of mood but pertinence of content.  Themes clearly belong to one another and are in themselves striking’ The Times

‘The work’s chief merits are its often effectively delicate scoring and, in the two slow movements, a remote atmospheric beauty’ The Daily Telegraph

‘The scoring is excellent and evocative’ The Guardian

The Times also added ‘a symphony that will gladly be heard from time to time!  Perhaps Sir Thomas will also introduce us to its successor.’