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Charles Mackerras
Comprising a brief biography and chapters written by those who worked
with him, such as Janet Baker and Alfred Brendel, this is a celebration of an exceptional,
creative life.By the time of his death in 2010 at the age of 84, Sir Charles Mackerras had
achieved widespread recognition, recorded extensively and developed into a conductor of
major international significance. In addition to areas in which he already had forged a
distinctive profile (Janacek, Mozart, Handel, Sullivan) he revisited - and rethought - much
of the standard repertoire. The last thirty years were particularly momentous in the coming
to fruition of so manycherished not only the Janacek operas but the Gilbert and
Sullivan series, the Mozart operas, the two Beethoven cycles, other projects with the
Scottish Chamber Orchestra (Schumann and Brahms at Edinburgh; the outstanding late Mozart)
and at the Royal Opera House and the Met. Unspoilt by fame, and undeterred by personal
tragedies and increasing physical frailty, he remained productive and for him
music-making, whether with world-classsingers and orchestras or with students, was a kind of
joyous oxygen that kept him going right to the end. A detailed account of his life is
complemented by contributions from performers and scholars who worked closely with
Mackerras, as well as interviews with his family. The book is richly illustrated with
photographs and documents, and includes a comprehensive discography along with listings of
many of his concert and opera performances. While SirCharles's whole life is considered,
emphasis is given to his final quarter century, a period in which so many important projects
were realized. This book celebrates and epitomizes an exceptional life. NIGEL SIMEONE is
awriter and teacher. He has published extensively on Messiaen and Janacek and recently
edited The Leonard Bernstein Letters. JOHN TYRRELL is Honorary Professor of Music at Cardiff
University. He has published bookson Janacek and Czech opera and, with Sir Charles
Mackerras, edited two Janacek operas. Janet Baker, Alfred Brendel, Ales
Brezina, Alex Briger, Rosenna East, Anne Evans, Nicholas Hytner, Simon Keenlyside, David
Lloyd-Jones, David Mackie, Chi-chi Nwanoku, Antonio Pappano, Nigel Simeone, John Stein,
Heinz Stolba, Patrick Summers, John Tyrrell, Malcolm Walker, David Whelton, Jiri
Zahradka.
with him, such as Janet Baker and Alfred Brendel, this is a celebration of an exceptional,
creative life.By the time of his death in 2010 at the age of 84, Sir Charles Mackerras had
achieved widespread recognition, recorded extensively and developed into a conductor of
major international significance. In addition to areas in which he already had forged a
distinctive profile (Janacek, Mozart, Handel, Sullivan) he revisited - and rethought - much
of the standard repertoire. The last thirty years were particularly momentous in the coming
to fruition of so manycherished not only the Janacek operas but the Gilbert and
Sullivan series, the Mozart operas, the two Beethoven cycles, other projects with the
Scottish Chamber Orchestra (Schumann and Brahms at Edinburgh; the outstanding late Mozart)
and at the Royal Opera House and the Met. Unspoilt by fame, and undeterred by personal
tragedies and increasing physical frailty, he remained productive and for him
music-making, whether with world-classsingers and orchestras or with students, was a kind of
joyous oxygen that kept him going right to the end. A detailed account of his life is
complemented by contributions from performers and scholars who worked closely with
Mackerras, as well as interviews with his family. The book is richly illustrated with
photographs and documents, and includes a comprehensive discography along with listings of
many of his concert and opera performances. While SirCharles's whole life is considered,
emphasis is given to his final quarter century, a period in which so many important projects
were realized. This book celebrates and epitomizes an exceptional life. NIGEL SIMEONE is
awriter and teacher. He has published extensively on Messiaen and Janacek and recently
edited The Leonard Bernstein Letters. JOHN TYRRELL is Honorary Professor of Music at Cardiff
University. He has published bookson Janacek and Czech opera and, with Sir Charles
Mackerras, edited two Janacek operas. Janet Baker, Alfred Brendel, Ales
Brezina, Alex Briger, Rosenna East, Anne Evans, Nicholas Hytner, Simon Keenlyside, David
Lloyd-Jones, David Mackie, Chi-chi Nwanoku, Antonio Pappano, Nigel Simeone, John Stein,
Heinz Stolba, Patrick Summers, John Tyrrell, Malcolm Walker, David Whelton, Jiri
Zahradka.
338 pages, Kindle Edition
First published March 19, 2015
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Displaying 1 of 1 review
May 2, 2022
Mackerras is one of my favorite conductors, so it was nice to learn something about him and read reactions and reminiscences. But I doubt anyone but a fan will want to read this, especially those parts that are basically recitations of his performances.
Displaying 1 of 1 review