Sir Charles Mackerras.
In last Tuesday’s (12/30) New York Times, David Allen writes, “Simon Rattle once said that ‘there’s probably a point, somewhere around 70, when conductors start getting competent.’ Sometimes, though, it feels like it takes at least that long to appreciate how competent a conductor has always been. Such may well have been the case with Charles Mackerras [1925–2010]. Born 100 years ago, Mackerras brought fresh insight to Mozart and did as much as anyone to secure a place in the canon for Janáček. He was one of the first truly international conductors, bouncing from concert podiums to opera pits … He had range, and he had talent…. Although Mackerras held music directorships at institutions such as the English National Opera, the Welsh National Opera and the Orchestra of St. Luke’s, he ascended no further on the conductorial ladder. Instead, he specialized in being a principal guest, at the Czech Philharmonic Orchestra, the Scottish Chamber Orchestra, the Philharmonia Orchestra and elsewhere…. Warner recently marked his centennial with a set that compiles releases from innumerable old labels, but its 63 discs offer barely a sketch for the fuller portrait that becomes possible by consulting many more. There is Gilbert and Sullivan, folk music from across Britain and, may God preserve us, an Elizabeth Schwarzkopf Christmas album…. Early on, he heard the Czech conductor Vaclav Talich, who was later his teacher, conduct Janacek’s “Kat’a Kabanova.” Mackerras found it enthralling. By 1951, he had led the British premiere of the opera, and a life’s work was begun.” The article includes audio clips of Mackerras leading works by a variety of composers.
