Although he was of Australian nationality, Sir Charles Mackerras was actually born in Schenectady, New York in 1925. The family moved to Sydney when Mackerras was just three-years-old. In 1947 Sir Charles sailed for England with the intention of becoming a conductor and joined the Sadler's Wells orchestra as a wind player. He soon won a British Council scholarship to study conducting with Vaclav Talich in Prague and it was whilst there that he discovered and fell in love with the music of Janácek.

Returning to London, Sir Charles began his life-long association with Sadler's Wells Opera (now English National Opera), developing his reputation as a significant conductor of the works of Janácek, Handel, Gluck, Mozart, Britten, Sullivan and many others.

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.

Sir Charles died on 14 July 2010 at the age of 84. He remained active right up until his illness took over and, at the time of his death, he was scheduled to conduct at the 2010 Proms and the Edinburgh Festival.

Contents:
CD 1
Mozart: Symphony No.40 in G minor, K550
[1] I Molto allegro
[2] II Andante
[3] III Menuetto & Trio
[4] IV Allegro assai
London Philharmonic Orchestra
Recorded: 15 April 1975, Barking Town Hall

Dvorák: Symphony No.7 in D minor, Op.70
[5] I Allegro maestoso
[6] II Poco adagio
[7] III Scherzo: Vivace
[8] IV Allegro
London Philharmonic Orchestra
Recorded: 21 – 23 May 1991, St. Augustine's Church, Kilburn, London

Total approximate duration: 66.48

CD 2
Sullivan/Mackerras: Cello Concerto in D
[1] I Allegro moderato (cadenza by Sir Charles Mackerras)
[2] II Andante espressivo
[3] III Molto vivace
Julian Lloyd Webber (cello)
London Symphony Orchestra
Recorded: 21 & 22 April 1986, No.1 Studio, Abbey Road, London

Janácek: Sinfonietta, Op.60
[4] I Allegretto
[5] II Andante
[6] III Moderato
[7] IV Allegretto
[8] V Andante con moto
Pro Arte Orchestra
Recorded: 19-24 July 1959, Walthamstow Assembly Hall, London

Stravinsky: Le sacre du printemps – ballet (1913 revised 1947)
Part I: Adoration of the Earth
[9] Introduction
[10] The Augurs of Spring – Dance of the Maidens
[11] Ritual of Abduction
[12] Spring Rounds
[13] Ritual of the Rival Tribes
[14] Procession of the Sage
[15] Adoration of the Earth
[16] Dance of the Earth
Part II: The Sacrifice
[17] Introduction
[18] Mystic Circles of the Maidens
[19] Glorification of the Chosen One
[20] Evocation of the Ancestors
[21] Ritual of the Ancestors
[22] Sacrificial Dance (The Chosen One)
London Philharmonic Orchestra
Recorded: 30 August – 1 September 1987, Watford Town Hall, Herts

Total approximate duration: 75.47

CD 3
[1] Delius: Paris – The Song of a Great City
Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra
Recorded: 1-3 June 1991, Philharmonic Hall, Liverpool

Elgar: Enigma Variations
[2] Introduction & Variation I (C.A.E.)
[3] Variation II (H.D.S.-P.)
[4] Variation III (R.B.T.)
[5] Variation IV (W.M.B.)
[6] Variation V (R.P.A.)
[7] Variation VI (Ysobel)
[8] Variation VII (Troyte)
[9] Variation VIII (W.N.)
[10] Variation IX (Nimrod)
[11] Variation X (Intermezzo: Dorabella)
[12] Variation XI (G.R.S.)
[13] Variation XII (B.G.N.)
[14] Variation XIII (Romanza: ***)
[15] Variation XIV (E.D.U.)
London Philharmonic Orchestra (David Bell - organ)
Recorded: 11-13 March 1985, No. 1 Studio, Abbey Road, London (Organ of St Augustine's Church, Kilburn)

[16] Coates: The Merrymakers – Miniature Overture
[17] Coates: Summer Days – Suite
[18] Coates: By the Sleepy Lagoon
[19] Coates: The Three Bears – Phantasy
London Symphony Orchestra
Recorded: 23-24 May 1956, No.1 Studio, Abbey Road, London

Total approximate duration 76.41

CD 4
[1] Brahms arr. Mackerras: 14 Volks-Kinderlieder – No.4 'Sandmännchen'
Elisabeth Schwarzkopf (soprano)
Philharmonia Orchestra
Recorded: 1 June 1957, No.1 Studio, Abbey Road, London

[2] Franck arr. Mackerras: Panis angelicus
Elisabeth Schwarzkopf (soprano)
Philharmonia Orchestra
Recorded: 25 May 1957, No.1 Studio, Abbey Road, London

Mahler: Symphony No.5 in C sharp minor
[3] I Trauermarsch
[4] II Stürmisch bewegt. Mit grösster Vehemenz
[5] III Scherzo: Kräftig, nicht zu schnell
[6] IV Adagietto: Sehr langsam
[7] V Rondo-Finale: Allegro
Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra
Recorded: 11-13 January 1990, Philharmonic Hall, Liverpool

Total approximate duration: 77.25

CD 5
[1] Sullivan: Ruddigore (or The Witch's Curse) – Overture
[2] Sullivan: The Mikado (or The Town of Titipu) – Overture
Philharmonia Orchestra
Recorded: 9 June 1956: No.1 Studio, Abbey Road, London

Sullivan/Mackerras: Pineapple Poll
[3] Scene 1 Opening Dance
[4] Poll's Solo & Pas de deux
[5] Belaye's Solo
[6] Pas de trois
[7] Finale
[8] Scene 2 Poll's Solo
[9] Jasper's Solo
[10] Scene 3 Belaye's Solo and Sailors' Dance
[11] Poll's Solo
[12] Entry of Belaye with Blanche as Bride
[13] Reconciliation
[14] Grande Finale
Royal Philharmonic Orchestra
Recorded: 3 & 5 October 1960, No.1 Studio, Abbey Road, London

Handel: Messiah
[15] Part 1 For unto us a Child is Born
[16] Part 3 I know that my Redeemer liveth
[17] Part 2 Hallelujah
Elisabeth Harwood (soprano)
Ambrosian Singers
English Chamber Orchestra
Recorded: 29 & 30 June, 13, 15 & 16 July and 5, 6, 8 & 9 August 1966, Kingsway Hall, London

Total approximate duration: 75.22