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Mackerras: Master of Orchestral Texture (2011) (5 CD Box Set)

Posted By: murena
Mackerras: Master of Orchestral Texture (2011) (5 CD Box Set)

Charles Mackerras: Master of Orchestral Texture (2011) (5 CD Box Set)
EAC Rip | FLAC (Tracks, log, cue) | 5 CDs, 06:10:49 min | 1,51 Gb | Scans > 20 mb
Genre: Classical / Label: EMI

As well as Sir Charles's first recording of Janácek's Sinfonietta, this 5-CD set also showcases him performing the music of other composers whose music he was particularly famed for the world over.

Emanuel Ax, Charles Mackerras, Orchestra of the Age of Enlightenment - Frédéric Chopin: Piano Concerto No. 1 (1999)

Posted By: ArlegZ
Emanuel Ax, Charles Mackerras, Orchestra of the Age of Enlightenment - Frédéric Chopin: Piano Concerto No. 1 (1999)

Emanuel Ax, Charles Mackerras, Orchestra of the Age of Enlightenment - Frédéric Chopin: Piano Concerto No. 1 (1999)
EAC | FLAC | Image (Cue & Log) ~ 228 Mb | Total time: 62:08 | Scans included
Classical | Label: Sony Classical | # SK60771 | Recorded: 1998

The required calling card of any pianist-composer in the 1820s and '30s was a virtuosic piano piece accompanied by an orchestra. When the 21-year-old Chopin arrived in Paris in the fall of 1831, he had several such compositions under his arm, including the Concerto in E Minor (which, although the first of his two concertos to be published, was composed after the Concerto in F Minor) and the already heralded Variations (which had inspired Robert Schumann to remark, "Hats off, gentlemen–a genius.").

Charles Mackerras, Orchestra of the Royal Opera House - Gounod: Roméo et Juliette (2008/1994)

Posted By: Vilboa
Charles Mackerras, Orchestra of the Royal Opera House - Gounod: Roméo et Juliette (2008/1994)

Charles Mackerras, Orchestra of the Royal Opera House, Leontina Vaduva, Roberto Alagna - Gounod: Roméo et Juliette (2008/1994)
NTSC 4:3 (720x480) | Français (Dolby AC3, 2 ch) | 7.06 Gb (DVD9) | 176 min
Classical | Opus Arte | Sub: English

Charles Mackerras teases the romantic beauty from Gounod's score, which has been widely admired since its first performance at the Théâtre Lyrique, Paris, in 1867. In this 1994 recording, the youthful Roberto Alagna as Roméo and Leontina Vaduva as the unattainable Juliette lead an excellent cast in this touching portrayal of impossible love, based on Shakespeare's play.

Charles Mackerras, English Chamber Orchestra, Ambrosian Singers - Georg Friedrich Handel: Messiah (1989)

Posted By: ArlegZ
Charles Mackerras, English Chamber Orchestra, Ambrosian Singers - Georg Friedrich Handel: Messiah (1989)

Charles Mackerras, English Chamber Orchestra, Ambrosian Singers - Georg Friedrich Handel: Messiah (1989)
EAC | FLAC | Image (Cue & Log) ~ 787 Mb | Total time: 77:30+77:38 | Scans included
Classical | Label: EMI Classics | # 7243 5 69449 2 3 | Recorded: 1966

It was this set which, in company with one from Sir Colin Davis issued by Philips a few weeks earlier, inaugurated the era of 'progressive' Messiah recordings. They had of course been foreshadowed—by Sir Adrian Boult, notably, and by the work of such editors as John Tobin and Watkins Shaw. But this was one of the first to use a chamber orchestra, lively tempos and ornamentation: and between them Davis and Mackerras made us listen afresh to a work whose performance traditions had threatened to become hidebound… The forces aren't 'authentic', but rather larger, and women's voices are used in the chorus. It is however an excellent chorus, well disciplined and clean.

Charles Mackerras, Scottish Chamber Orchestra - Franz Schubert: Symphony No 10 and other unfinished symphonies (1997)

Posted By: ArlegZ
Charles Mackerras, Scottish Chamber Orchestra - Franz Schubert: Symphony No 10 and other unfinished symphonies (1997)

Charles Mackerras, Scottish Chamber Orchestra - Franz Schubert: Symphony No 10 and other unfinished symphonies (1997)
EAC | FLAC | Image (Cue & Log) ~ 219 Mb | Total time: 54:02 | Scans included
Classical | Label: Hyperion | # CDA67000 | Recorded: 1997

Twenty years ago musicologists were not aware that Schubert's Tenth existed. The detective story leading to its revelation is told by Brian Newbould in the booklet of this CD. The manuscript was discovered in a folio in Vienna containing no fewer than three uncompleted Schubert symphonies including No 10, which the composer was working on when he died. It is therefore his very last music. Professor Newbould's work involved deciphering Schubert's sketches and then reconstructing the work and orchestrating it. In three movements, the symphony is a wonder, with a first movement containing one of Schubert's loveliest melodies, and a sombre and Mahlerian slow movement of great poignancy.

Charles Mackerras, Scottish Chamber Orchestra - Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart: Die Entführung aus dem Serail (2000)

Posted By: ArlegZ
Charles Mackerras, Scottish Chamber Orchestra - Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart: Die Entführung aus dem Serail (2000)

Charles Mackerras, Scottish Chamber Orchestra - Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart: Die Entführung aus dem Serail (2000)
EAC | FLAC | Image (Cue & Log) ~ 598 Mb | Total time: 131:47 | Scans included
Classical | Label: Telarc | # CD-80544 | Recorded: 1999

Mackerras’s series of opera recordings, with the Scottish Chamber Orchestra, has a character very much its own, deriving from his natural feeling for the dramatic pacing of Mozart’s music and the expressive and allusive nature of its textures, as well as the Scottish Chamber Orchestra’s sensitivity and responsiveness to him. These are not period-instrument performances (except in that natural horns and trumpets are used, to good effect), but Mackerras’s manner of articulation, and the lightness of the phrasing he draws from his strings, makes it, to my mind, a lot closer to a true period style than some of the performances that make a feature of period instruments and then use them to modern ends (I am thinking less here of British conductors than some from Europe).

Leos Janacek - Chamber Music, Orchestral Works (2004) 5CD Box Set

Posted By: Designol
Leos Janacek - Chamber Music, Orchestral Works (2004) 5CD Box Set

Leos Janáček - Chamber Music, Orchestral Works (2004) 5CD Box Set
Paul Crossley, Christopher Van Kampen, Kenneth Sillito, Thomas Trotter
Gabrieli String Quartet, London Sinfonietta, Los Angeles Chamber Orchestra
Slovak Philharmonic Choir, Wiener Philharmoniker, Riccardo Chailly
Charles Mackerras, François Huybrechts, Neville Marriner, David Atherton
Eva Urbanová, Vladimir Bogachov, Marta Benacková, Richard Novák

EAC | FLAC | Tracks (Cue&Log) ~ 1.48 Gb | Mp3 (CBR320) ~ 837 Mb | Scans ~ 20 Mb
Genre: Classical | Label: Decca | # 475 523-2 DC5 | Time: 06:04:07

To celebrate the 150th anniversary of Janáček’s birth, this Decca Collector Edition brings together most of the composer’s chamber works and solo pieces plus his most popular orchestral works and the magnificent Glagolitic Mass in a superb digital recording with Riccardo Chailly and Wiener Philharmoniker. The recordings of the solo works and chamber pieces feature one of the world’s most distinguished ensembles: the London Sinfonietta and David Atherton. Their recordings were originally released as a 5-LP set in 1981 and many of these performances have not been available for several years; many also make their first international appearance on CD. This set provides the listener with all the essential non-operatic Janáček in one convenient collection.

Charles Mackerras, Orchestra del Teatro La Fenice - George Frideric Handel: Orlando (1999)

Posted By: ArlegZ
Charles Mackerras, Orchestra del Teatro La Fenice - George Frideric Handel: Orlando (1999)

Charles Mackerras, Orchestra del Teatro La Fenice - George Frideric Handel: Orlando (1999)
EAC | FLAC | Image (Cue & Log) ~ 879 Mb | Total time: 64:00+52:53+53:32 | Scans included
Classical | Label: Mondo Musica | # MFOH 10502 | Recorded: 1985

This is a fine alternative to Christopher Hogwood’s period performance on L’Oiseau-Lyre, and will be welcomed heartily by fans of Marilyn Horne. Orlando is a great role, filled with arias and scenes acrobatic, tender, and exclamatory (he goes mad in Act 2 and stays that way for much of Act 3). In l985, when this present set was taped live at Venice’s La Fenice, Marilyn Horne was still in control of her awesome powers–her breath control, fluidity, big, round tones, impeccable diction, and sheer intelligence still astound after all these years. And she’s certainly superior to the nasty-sounding, if dramatic, James Bowman for Hogwood. Lella Cuberli’s Angelica is fine but is outclassed by Arleen Auger; however, I prefer Jeffrey Gall’s countertenor Medoro to Catherine Robbins’ girly one (both for Hogwood again).

Charles Mackerras, English Chamber Orchestra, Leeds Festival Chorus - George Frideric Handel: Saul (1995)

Posted By: ArlegZ
Charles Mackerras, English Chamber Orchestra, Leeds Festival Chorus - George Frideric Handel: Saul (1995)

Charles Mackerras, English Chamber Orchestra, Leeds Festival Chorus - George Frideric Handel: Saul (1995)
EAC | FLAC | Image (Cue & Log) ~ 851 Mb | Total time: 61:08+68:46+44:23 | Scans included
Classical | Label: Archiv Produktion | # 447 696-2 | Recorded: 1973

This is a wonderful work, more like an opera than an oratorio (which it is called) with its fine psychological portrait of Saul, the egocentric leader with a tragic flaw, and the trouble his histrionics bring about. We also get to know the friends Jonathan and David–one gentle and rational, the other moody and flamboyant–and the scene with the Witch of Endor is a real creepfest. This 1973 performance serves the work very well, and while we might argue with Charles Mackerras’ slowish tempos (it takes 20 minutes longer than Gardiner’s), the manner in which he allows his cast to act with their words is only to be admired.

Charles Mackerras - Janácek: From the House of the Dead (1991)

Posted By: tirexiss
Charles Mackerras - Janácek: From the House of the Dead (1991)

Charles Mackerras - Janácek: From the House of the Dead (1991)
EAC | FLAC (image+.cue, log) | Covers Included | 02:02:40 | 714 MB
Genre: Classical, Opera | Label: Decca | Catalog: 430 375-2

The series of Janacek's operas conducted by Sir Charles Mackerras for Decca has become one of the most exciting gramophone projects of the day, with each issue a major event. The new digital recording of the last opera he composed, From the House of the Dead, is no exception: indeed, for reasons that lie beyond the excellence of performance and recording, and also lie apart from the fact that here is the first version to appear for nearly eight years, this is an historic occasion, a significant contribution to musical knowledge.

Charles Mackerras, English Chamber Orchestra, Wandsworth School Choir - George Frideric Handel: Judas Maccabaeus (1995)

Posted By: ArlegZ
Charles Mackerras, English Chamber Orchestra, Wandsworth School Choir - George Frideric Handel: Judas Maccabaeus (1995)

Charles Mackerras, English Chamber Orchestra, Wandsworth School Choir - George Frideric Handel: Judas Maccabaeus (1995)
EAC | FLAC | Image (Cue & Log) ~ 831 Mb | Total time: 59:37+67:25+42:27 | Scans included
Classical | Label: Archiv Produktion | # 447 692-2 | Recorded: 1977

Surely a Judas Maccabaeus recorded on modern instruments nearly twenty years ago is one to ignore? Well, no. Charles Mackerras is one of music’s fresher minds, and he has always favoured incisive rhythms, clear textures, light bowing and carefully varied articulation in Baroque music. The ECO responds with verve to the wondrous grace and variety of Handel’s music. The late Russell Burgess’s Wandsworth School Choir is an eloquent testament of what is possible in an inner-city comprehensive given will-power and a gifted enough teacher.

Charles Mackerras, English National Opera Orchestra and Chorus - George Frideric Handel: Julius Caesar / Giulio Cesare (1999)

Posted By: ArlegZ
Charles Mackerras, English National Opera Orchestra and Chorus - George Frideric Handel: Julius Caesar / Giulio Cesare (1999)

Charles Mackerras, English National Opera Orchestra and Chorus - George Frideric Handel: Julius Caesar / Giulio Cesare (1999)
EAC | FLAC | Image (Cue & Log) ~ 883 Mb | Total time: 183:20 | Scans included
Classical | Label: Chandos | # CHAN 3019 | Recorded: 1984

This opera was a personal triumph for Dame Janet. As Caesar, she arms the voice with an impregnable firmness, outgoing and adventurous. Valerie Masterson shares the honours with Dame Janet, a Cleopatra whose bright voice gains humanity through ordeal. The tinkle of surface- wear clears delightfully in her later arias, sung with a pure tone and high accomplishment. As a total production, Julius Caesar was an outstanding achievement in ENO's history. Strongly cast, it had a noble Cornelia in Sarah Walker, a high-spirited Sesto in Della Jones, and in James Bowman a Ptolemy whose only fault was that his voice lacked meanness of timbre appropriate to the odious character. John Tomlinson's massive bass also commands attention. Mackerras's conducting is impeccable and the opera is given in clear, creditable English.

Charles Mackerras, Orchestra of St. Luke's - Joseph Haydn: Symphonies Nos. 31 'Hornsignal' & 45 'Farewell' (1989)

Posted By: ArlegZ
Charles Mackerras, Orchestra of St. Luke's - Joseph Haydn: Symphonies Nos. 31 'Hornsignal' & 45 'Farewell' (1989)

Charles Mackerras, Orchestra of St. Luke's - Joseph Haydn: Symphonies Nos. 31 'Hornsignal' & 45 'Farewell' (1989)
EAC | FLAC | Image (Cue & Log) ~ 302 Mb | Total time: 68:26 | Scans included
Classical | Label: Telarc | # CD-80156 | Recorded: 1988

Haydn's Symphony No. 31 is known as the "Hornsignal" from its prominent horn parts in the first and last movements. Written in anticipation of palace-warming festivities at the Eszterháza estate, the symphony has a celebratory air in its bold fanfares and hunting calls. Haydn's originality is evident not only in his clever motivic development of these ideas, but also in his placement of the horn pairs at a distance from each other. Haydn's experimentation was unusual for its time, but it shows some of the freedom he enjoyed as Prince Nicholas' court composer.

Charles Mackerras, Orchestra of St. Luke's - Joseph Haydn: Symphonies Nos. 100 “Military” & 103 “Drumroll” (1991)

Posted By: ArlegZ
Charles Mackerras, Orchestra of St. Luke's - Joseph Haydn: Symphonies Nos. 100 “Military” & 103 “Drumroll” (1991)

Charles Mackerras, Orchestra of St. Luke's - Joseph Haydn: Symphonies Nos. 100 “Military” & 103 “Drumroll” (1991)
EAC | FLAC | Image (Cue & Log) ~ 248 Mb | Total time: 51:12 | Scans included
Classical | Label: Telarc | # CD 80282 | Recorded: 1991

Charles Mackerras doesn’t put a foot wrong anywhere. The “Military” Symphony features sprightly tempos in its outer movements, with percussion that’s exciting but never vulgar in the famous Allegretto. In addition to one of the best-ever accounts of its slow movement, the “Drumroll” offers Haydn’s original thoughts on the finale, with its surprising modulations in the closing pages. Fabulous playing, informative booklet notes, and superb sound cap a release that deserves far more acclaim that it has received to date. There’s no point in enumerating the disc’s virtues any further: listen and enjoy them for yourself. You can do “different”, but you can’t do better.

Charles Mackerras, Orchestra of St. Luke's - Joseph Haydn: Symphonies Nos. 101 'The Clock' & 104 'London' (1992)

Posted By: ArlegZ
Charles Mackerras, Orchestra of St. Luke's - Joseph Haydn: Symphonies Nos. 101 'The Clock' & 104 'London' (1992)

Charles Mackerras, Orchestra of St. Luke's - Joseph Haydn: Symphonies Nos. 101 'The Clock' & 104 'London' (1992)
EAC | FLAC | Image (Cue & Log) ~ 271 Mb | Total time: 55:41 | Scans included
Classical | Label: Telarc | # CD 80311 | Recorded: 1991

Sir Charles Mackerras is one of the world's finest conductors. It's probably safe to say that he has never made a bad record, and his performances of music of the classical period, in particular, are always full of sparkle and excitement. Here, aided by some very polished and lively playing from the Orchestra of St. Luke's, he turns in super performances of two of Haydn's greatest symphonies. The Clock takes its name from the slow movement, which features a ticktock accompaniment to a graceful tune that rapidly evolves into one of Haydn's wittiest inspirations. The London symphony was the last of the twelve that Haydn wrote for his two visits to the English capital in the 1790s. This is wonderful music with great sound.