Tribute to Sir Charles Mackerras (1925-2010)
Sir Charles Mackerras, with Bryn Terfel in the background
It is with deep regrets that I learned of the recent passing of Sir Charles Mackerras. While this blog rarely heaps on the superlatives to conductors, reserving them mostly for singers, Sir Mackerras’s many recordings have made up quite a sizeable portion of my record collection; I was fortunately enough to be introduced to the Beethoven Symphonies from his collection with the Royal Liverpool Orchestra. Meticulous, clean, spritely in his classical apporach but not holding back on Romantic fireworks, they draw a fine balance between old-fashioned heavy romantism and period-style clarity.
And so this was in a way what my impression of Mackerras was about, probably just one side of his many talents which I make no claims to being fully-informed. Still, nowhere was this talent more apparent than his contributions to Bryn Terfel’s landmark Handel Arias CD. Such spirited accompaniment to go with Bryn’s gutsy singing, he showed that period-style performance (abeit on modern instruments by the Scottish Chamber Orchestra) need not be thin and tepid as such performances are often (unfairly) stereotyped with, nor adopting the breakneck, all-hell-breaks-loose approach that more recent specialists are attempting.
If that CD is as revelatory to most listeners as it was for me, credit must go as much to the maestro as much as to the divo. As such, his name on recordings has since become a sign of assurance for me, along with a select group of maestri and singers. Someday perhaps I may (should) check out his acclaimed Czech repertoire, such as his recording of Rusulka with none other than ‘La Voce’ herself in the title role. Meanwhile, my deepest condolences go to his family as well as the many young artistes he has worked with and taught. RIP Sir Charles.
As this blog’s very own celebration to the life of the maestro, here’s my favourite track from the Handel Arias CD: The Trumpet Shall Sound: