Charles Mackerras’s Centenary: Championing Janacek and a Vast Repertoire

Charles Mackerras, born 100 years ago, built a vast and versatile recorded legacy and did as much as anyone to secure a place in the canon for Janacek, the New York Times said in a tribute. His breadth as a conductor—equally at home in Mozart, Handel and modern opera—left an indelible mark on at least one composer in particular.

Mackerras was one of the first truly international conductors, moving briskly from concert podiums to opera pits; a 1966 documentary on him was called "Allegro Vivace." He held music directorships at institutions including the English National Opera, the Welsh National Opera and the Orchestra of St.

Luke’s, and he specialized as a principal guest with ensembles such as the Czech Philharmonic, the Scottish Chamber Orchestra and the Philharmonia. Biographer Nancy Phelan noted that even his mother worried he was too versatile for his own good. Warner recently marked his centennial with a 63-disc set compiling releases from many labels, though the collection “offers barely a sketch” of his full output.

His discography ranges widely — Handel, Beethoven, Mozart, Dvorak and many lesser-known composers — and his Janacek recordings, from a 1976 "Kat’a Kabanova" with the Vienna Philharmonic to a 1981 "Jenufa," remain central. Later collaborations with the Czech Philharmonic, including a second "Kat’a," a "Glagolitic" Mass and a recording of "Taras Bulba," were singled out for their special atmosphere.

Key Topics

Culture, Charles Mackerras, Janacek, Czech Philharmonic Orchestra, Vienna Philharmonic, English National Opera