In Memoriam: Charles Mackerras (1925-2010)

Some other postings are in the works, but this unfortunate news has to be the first. Briefly, the great conductor Charles Mackerras has just passed away at the age of 84. Alex Ross posts links to some obituaries.

In memoriam, here is a video of progressive rock band Emerson, Lake & Palmer performing “Knife-Edge.” This song draws upon the main melody of the opening movement from Leoš Janáček’s Sinfonietta. Among other things, Mackerras was a major scholar and advocate of the Czech composer’s work, especially his operas. It is an unusual tribute, but perhaps a fitting one in this context. After all, Janáček himself drew upon popular (more specifically, folk) music as source material for his own compositions.