Hall of Composers
Sir Charles Mackerras (b. 1925)
Although he was born in Schenectady, N.Y., in 1925, Sir Charles Mackerras’ parents were Australian, and they moved the family to Sydney when Charles was still quite young. Mackerras studied music extensively in Sydney and attended the city’s Conservatorium of Music where he received instruction in oboe, piano, and composition. In 1945 he became the principal oboist with the Sydney Symphony where he also conducted on occasion. In 1947 he moved to Europe to continue his conducting studies and since that time he has conducted many prestigious ensembles around the world including the Metropolitan Opera in New York City, the London Symphony Orchestra, and the première performance of the Sydney Symphony in their new concert hall in 1973.
Mackerras first came to prominence after arranging the popular and successful ballet score Pineapple Poll (1951), which is based on the music of Sir Arthur Sullivan. He has been acclaimed for his performances, both in the opera house and the concert hall, and was knighted for his services to music in 1979. In 2004 he became the principal guest conductor of the Philharmonia Orchestra in London and he is also the principal guest conductor of the Czech Philharmonic Orchestra. He continues to guest conduct around the world, and has one of the largest and most diverse discographies in classical music today.
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