SIR T. BEECHAM’S TRUST

Taranaki Daily News, 13 April 1928, Page 7

SIR T. BEECHAM’S TRUST

BROKEN BRACES CRISIS. What is the conductor of a vast orchestra to do if, at the critical point of a concert before a huge audience, his braces fail to function? This is the embarrassing problem that faced Sir Thomas Beecham, one of our most immaculately-dressed public performers, during his United States tour. Sir Thomas, in this instance, trusted to providence to avert his “downfall,” and was not wholly disappointed. It was during his first appearance at Carnegie Hall, New York, as guest-con-ductor of the Philharmonic Society, that the unfortunate contretemps occurred. “It was at a fortissimo passage,’” related a friend, “and Sir Thomas put all of his wonted fire into his conducting. “In a fine burst of harmony there was a sudden note of discord—a sharp ripple of sound. The famous conductor’s braces had burst!

“Louder grew the music. More vigorour became Sir Thomas. And more rapidly his trousers embarked on their downward course.

“What was he to do? He could not hesitate a moment. Both his hands were fully occupied. Heroically he carrier! on.

“And his bravery was rewarded. The tremendous finale, coming to its swift conclusion, drowned by the applause of the vast and fashionable audience, enabled Sir Thomas to hobble from the platform, with his trouser leg entangled in the heel of his shoe.’”