A primeira vez que para aqui trouxe o maestro inglês John Barbirolli foi em Dezembro de 2004; na pequena biografia que então apresentei referi o facto de, durante a 2ª Guerra Mundial,Barbirolli ter regressado a Inglaterra, após convite para dirigir a Hallé Orchestra.
A orquestra atravessava na altura sérias dificuldades, contando com poucos músicos e estando mais perto de ser extinta do que qualquer outra coisa. John Barbirolli chegou a Manchester em Junho de 1943, tendo de imediato começado a trabalhar no sentido de reconstruir a orquestra, começando, naturalmente, por recrutar os músicos em falta. Não deixou os seus créditos por mãos alheias e, apenas um mês depois, Barbirolli e a sua Hallé Orchestra já davam o primeiro concerto público..., dando início a uma relação que se prolongaria por 27 anos.
No dia 25 de Julho de 1970, passam hoje 40 anos, Barbirolli dirigiu essa orquestra pela última vez em público. Morreu 4 dias depois, apenas, vítima de ataque cardíaco.
CDs
Glorious John Hallé Orchestra Royal Opera House Orchestra Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra New York Philharmonic Orchestra John Barbirolli Dutton Laboratories CDSJB1999
Edward Elgar The Dream of Gerontius. Richard Lewis (tenor), Janet Baker (meio-soprano), Kim Borg (baixo) Ambrosian Singers Sheffield Philharmonic Chorus Hallé Choir Hallé Orchestra John Barbirolli EMI 5 73579-2 (1964)
The Sibelius Edition Symphonies 1-7. Hallé Orchestra John Barbirolli EMI 5 67299-2
Joseph Haydn Symphony No.83 in G minor, 'La Poule'. Franz Lehar Gold und Silbe, Op.79. Johann Strauss II Die Fledermaus - Overture. Kaiser-Walzer, Op.437. Perpetuum mobile, Op.257. Tritsch-Tratsch-Polka, Op.214. Richard Strauss Der Rosenkavalier Suite. Hallé Orchestra John Barbirolli BBC Legends BBCL4038-2 (1969)
The Barbirolli Elgar Album Edward Elgar Symphony No.1 in A flat, Op.55. Introduction and Allegro, Op.47. Elegy, Op.58. Variations on an Original Theme, 'Enigma', Op.36. Hallé Orchestra John Barbirolli Dutton Laboratories CDSJB1017
Arnold Bax Symphony No.3. Violin Concerto. Eda Kersey (violino) Hallé Orchestra BBC Symphony Orchestra John Barbirolli, Adrian Boult Dutton Laboratories Epoch CDLX7111 (1943, 1944)
Ralph Vaughan Williams Symphonies - No.2, 'A London Symphony'; No.8 in D minor. Hallé Orchestra John Barbirolli Dutton Laboratories CDSJB1021 (1956, 1957)
Anton Bruckner Symphony No.8 in C minor (ed. Haas). Hallé Orchestra John Barbirolli BBC Legends BBCL4067-2 (1970)
The Barbirolli English Music Album John Barbirolli An Elizabethean Suite. Arnold Bax The Garden of Fand. George Butterworth A Shropshire Lad. Parry Jones (tenor) Hallé Choir Hallé Orchestra John Barbirolli Dutton Laboratories CDSJB1022
Anonymous The British National Anthem. Alan Rawsthorne Street Corner Overture. Ralph Vaughan Williams Symphony No.8 in D minor. Arnold Bax Oboe Quintet (arr. Barbirolli). Frederick Delius On hearing the First Cuckoo in Spring. William Walton Crown Imperial: A Coronation March. Edward Elgar Land of Hope and Glory. Evelyn Rothwell (oboé), Kathleen Ferrier (contralto) Hallé Choir Hallé Orchestra John Barbirolli BBC Legends BBCL4100-2
William Alwyn Symphonies No.1 & 2. Hallé Orchestra John Barbirolli Dutton Laboratories CDSJB1029
Barbirolli at the Proms Joseph Haydn The Uninhabited Island - Overture. The Creation - In Native Worth. Johannes Brahms Symphony No.1 in C minor, Op.68. Hallé Orchestra John Barbirolli Guild GHCD2320 (1954)
Carl Nielsen Symphony No.4, 'The Inextinguishable', FS76. Jean Sibelius Symphony No.3, Op.52. Hallé Orchestra John Barbirolli BBC Legends BBCL4223-2 (1956, 1969)
"After so many years with Alfred at the top of his profession it is hard to imagine musical life without his unique presence. But despite his farewell to the concert platform, we all hope he will continue to inspire and intrigue us with his presence in many other aspects of music".
As palavras são do maestro australiano Charles Mackerras, recentemente falecido, e aparecem no livro que acompanha o cd duplo que registou para a história a última subida ao palco do grande pianista austríaco Alfred Brendel (1931-). Nesse último concerto de Brendel, Charles Mackerras dirigiu a Orquestra Sinfónica de Viena, tendo uma boa parte sido ocupada com o compositor que mais obviamente uniu estes dois extraordinários músicos: Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart (1756-1781).
Sir Charles Mackerras foi um dos meus maestros de eleição, e aquilo que era para ser a short-list das suas melhores gravações (a minha short-list, bem entendido), acabou por resultar numa lista imensa, e o que se antevia como uma tarefa ligeira transformou-se numa trabalheira desgraçada...
CDs
Ernest Bloch Schelomo. Max Bruch Kol Nidrei, Op.47. Ofra Harnoy (violoncelo) London Philharmonic Orchestra Charles Mackerras RCA Victor Red Seal 60757-2
Leos Janácek Jenufa. Elisabeth Söderström, Lucia Popp (sopranos), Wieslaw Ochman, Petr Dvorsky (tenores), Eva Randová (meio-soprano), Marie Mrazová (contralto), Václav Zitek (barítono), Dalibor Jedlicka (baixo) Vienna State Opera Chorus Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra Charles Mackerras Decca 414 483-2 (1982)
Benjamin Britten Gloriana. J. Barstow, Y. Kenny, J. Watson (sopranos), P. Langridge, J. M. Ainsley (tenores), D. Jones (meio-soprano), J. Williams, D. Gill (vocais), J. Summers (barítono), B. Terfel (baixo-barítono), W. White (baixo) Chorus of the Welsh National Opera Orchestra of the Welsh National Opera Charles Mackerras Argo 440213-2
Franz Schubert Symphony No.10 in D, D936 (realized Newbould). Symphonic fragments - in D, D615; in D, D708 (orch. Newbould). Scottish Chamber Orchestra Charles Mackerras Hyperion CDA67000 (1997)
Antonín Dvorák Rusalka, Op.114/B203. Renée Fleming, Eva Urbanová, Zdena Kloubová, Lívia Aghová, Hannah Minutillo (sopranos), Ben Heppner, Ivan Kusnjer (tenores), Franz Hawlata (barítono), Dana Buresová, DoloraZajick (meios-sopranos) Kuhn Mixed Choir Czech Philharmonic Orchestra Charles Mackerras Decca 460 568-2 (1998)
Josef Suk A Summer's Tale, Op.29. Fantastic Scherzo, Op.25. Czech Philharmonic Orchestra Charles Mackerras Decca 466 443-2 (1997)
Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart Piano Concertos - No.20 in D minor, K466; No.24 in C minor, K491. Alfred Brendel (piano) Scottish Chamber Orchestra Charles Mackerras Philips 462 622-2 (1998)
Leos Janácek Osud. Helen Field, Kathryn Harries (sopranos), Philip Langridge, Peter Bronder, Stuart Kale (tenores) Welsh National Opera Chorus Welsh National Opera Orchestra Charles Mackerras Chandos CHAN3029 (1989)
Johannes Brahms Serenades - No.1 in D major, Op.11 (1857-8); No.2 in A major, Op.16 (1858-9, rev. 1875). Scottish Chamber Orchestra Charles Mackerras Telarc CD80522 (1998)
Jules Massenet Werther. Janet Baker (meio-soprano), Joy Roberts (soprano), John Brecknock, Terry Jenkins (tenores), Patrick Wheatley (barítono), Harold Blackburn, John Tomlinson (baixos) English National Opera Chorus English National Opera Orchestra Charles Mackerras Chandos CHAN3033 (1977)
Renée Fleming Arias by Puccini, Leoncavallo, Cilea, Catalani, Massenet, Bizet, Gounod, Verdi and Bellini. Renée Fleming (soprano) London Voices London Philharmonic Orchestra Charles Mackerras Decca 467 049-2
Leos Janácek Sarka. Eva Urbanová (soprano), Peter Straka, Jaroslav Brezina (tenores), Iván Kusnjer (barítono) Prague Philharmonic Chorus Czech Philharmonic Orchestra Charles Mackerras Supraphon SU3485-2 (2000)
Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart Arias from Cosi fan tutte, Le nozze di Figaro, Idomeneo and Don Giovanni. Bella mia fiamma, K528. Barbara Frittoli (soprano) Scottish Chamber Orchestra Charles Mackerras Erato 8573 86207-2
Gaetano Donizetti Roberto Devereux. Beverly Sills (soprano), Robert Ilosfalvy, Kenenth MacDonald (tenores), Peter Glossop (barítono), Beverly Wolff (meio-sorpano), Don Garrard, Gwynne Howell, Richard van Allan (baixos) Ambrosian Opera Chorus Royal Philharmonic Orchestra Charles Mackerras Deutsche Grammophon Westminster Legacy 471 224-2 (1969)
Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart Piano Concertos - No.9 in E flat, 'Jeunehomme', K271; No.25 in C, K503. Alfred Brendel (piano) Scottish Chamber Orchestra Charles Mackerras Philips 470 287-2 (2001)
Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart Idomeneo. Ian Bostridge, A. Rolfe Johnson, P. Charles Clarke (tenores), L. Hunt Lieberson (meio-soprano), Lisa Milne, Barbara Frittoli (sopranos), John Relyea (baixo) Edinburgh Festival Chorus Scottish Chamber Orchestra Charles Mackerras EMI CDS5 57260-2 (2001)
Georg Friedrich Händel Berenice, HWV38 - Overture (arr. Whittaker). Concerto a due cori in F, HWV333 (arr. Mackerras). Concertos - in D, HWV335a. Wind Ensemble London Symphony Orchestra Pro Arte Orchestra Charles Mackerras Testament SBT1253 (1956, 1959, 1976)
Frederick Delius Paris - Song of a Great City. Double Concerto. Cello Concerto. Tasmin Little (violino), Raphael Wallfisch (violoncelo) Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra Charles Mackerras Classics for Pleasure 5 75803-2 (1991)
Leos Janácek Sinfonietta. The Cunning Little Vixen - Suite. Taras Bulba. Jealousy. Sárka - Overture. Kát'a Kabanová - Prelude. Schluk und Jau. Czech Philharmonic Orchestra Charles Mackerras Supraphon SU3739-2
Giuseppe Verdi Alzira - Overture. Nabucco - Overture. La forza del destino - Overture. The Lady and the Fool (arr. Mackerras). Philharmonia Orchestra Charles Mackerras Testament SBT1326 (1956-58)
Leos Janácek Jenufa. J. Watson, J. Barstow, R. Hay, C. Hampton (sopranos), N. Robson, P. Wedd (tenores), C. Ellet, M. McCullough (meios-sopranos), E. Vaughan (contralto), N. Davies (barítono), A. Fairs (baixo) Welsh National Opera Chorus Welsh National Opera Orchestra Charles Mackerras Chandos CHAN3106 (2003)
Antonín Dvorák Symphony No.6 in D, B112. The Golden Spinning-Wheel, B197. Czech Philharmonic Orchestra Charles Mackerras Supraphon SU3771-2
Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart The Magic Flute. Rebecca Evans, Elizabeth Vidal, Lesley Garrett, Majella Cullagh (sopranos), Barry Banks, John Graham-Hall (tenores), Simon Keenlyside (barítono), John Tomlinson, Christopher Purves (baixos) Geoffrey Mitchell Choir London Philharmonic Orchestra Charles Mackerras Chandos CHAN3121 (2004)
Béla Bartók Divertimento. Music for Strings, Percussion and Celesta. Zoltan Kodály Dances from Galánta. Scottish Chamber Orchestra Charles Mackerras Linn Records CKD234 (2004)
Bedrich Smetana The Bartered Bride. Susan Gritton, Yvette Bonner (sopranos), P. C. Clarke, Timothy Robinson, Robin Leggate (tenoress), Peter Rose, Geoffrey Moses. K. Hesketh-Harvey (baixos), Neal Davies (barítono), Diane Montague (meio-soprano) Royal Opera House Chorus Philharmonia Orchestra Charles Mackerras Chandos CHAN3128 (2004)
'Mozart the Supreme Decorator' Johann Christian Bach Adriano in Siria - Cara, la dolce fiamma (3 versions). La clemenza di Scipione - Infelice in van m'affano; Deh, quel pianto omai tergete. Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart Non sò d'onde viene, K294 (2 versions). La Clemenza di Tito - Ah perdona al primo affetto. Die Entführung aus dem serail - Martern... Majella Cullagh, Elizabeth Futral (sopranos), Diana Montague (meio-soprano) The Hanover Band Charles Mackerras Opera Rara ORR232
'Tutto Mozart' Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart Bastien und Bastienne - Diggi, daggi. Così fan tutte - Soave sai il vento; Il core vi dono. Don Giovanni - Madamina, il catalogo è questo. Bryn Terfel (baixo-barítono), Miah Persson (soprano), Christine Rice (meio-soprano) Scottish Chamber Orchestra Charles Mackerras Deutsche Grammophon 477 5886 (2006)
Leos Janácek The Makropulos Case. Cheryl Barker, Elena Xanthoudakis (sopranos), Robert Brubaker, John Graham-Hall, Thomas Walker, Graham Clark (tenores), John Wegner (barítono), Neal Davies (baixo-barítono), Graham Danby (baixo), Kathleen Wilkinson (contralto), Susanna Tudor-Thomas (meio-soprano) English National Opera Chorus English National Opera Orchestra Charles Mackerras Chandos CHAN3138 (2006)
Engelbert Humperdinck Hansel and Gretel. Jennifer Larmore, Rosalind Plowright, Diana Montague, Jane Henschel (meios-sopranos), Rebecca Evans, Sarah Tynan (sopranos), Robert Hayward (barítono) New London Children's Choir Philharmonia Orchestra Charles Mackerras Chandos CHAN3143 (2006)
The Beethoven Symphonies Live from The Edinburgh Festival Janice Watson (soprano), Catherine Wyn-Rogers (meio-soprano), Stuart Skelton (tenor), Detlef Roth (baixo) Edinburgh Festival Chorus Scottish Chamber Orchestra Philharmonia Orchestra Charles Mackerras Hyperion CDS44301/5 (2006)
Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart Symphonies 38-41. Scottish Chamber Orchestra Charles Mackerras Linn Records CKD308 (2007)
Leos Janácek Cunning Little Vixen. Lucia Popp, J. Janska (sopranos), Eva Randová, G. Jahn, N. Kniplova (meios-sopranos), Dalibor Jedlicka, J. Joran (baixos), B. Blachut, Z. Sousek, P. Dvorsky (tenores), J. Sousek (barítono) Vienna State Opera Chorus Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra Charles Mackerras Decca 475 8670
Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart Cosi fan tutte. Janice Watson, Lesley Garrett (sopranos), Diana Montague (meio-soprano), Toby Spence (tenor), Christopher Maltman, Thomas Allen (barítonos) Geoffrey Mitchell Choir Orchestra of the Age of Enlightenment Charles Mackerras Chandos CHAN3152 (2007)
Sydney Opera House Gala Opening Concert Richard Wagner Die Meistersinger von Nürnberg - Prelude. Tannhäuser - Dich, teure Halle. Tristan und Isolde - Prelude; Liebestod. Birgit Nilsson (soprano) Sydney Symphony Orchestra Charles Mackerras ABC Classics 476 6440 (1973)
Antonín Dvorák Symphony No.7, B141. Bedrich Smetana Vltava. Leos Janácek Sinfonietta. Richard Strauss Also sprach Zatrathustra. Sydney Symphony Orchestra Charles Mackerras Sydney Symphony SSO200705 (2007)
Bohuslav Martinu Three Fragments from 'Julietta', H253a. Suite from the opera 'Julietta', H253b. Michele Lagrange (soprano), Magdalena Kozená (meio-sorpano), Steve Davislim (tenor), Alain Vernhes (barítono), Frédéric Goncalves (baixo-barítono) Czech Philharmonic Orchestra Charles Mackerras Supraphon SU3994-2 (2009)
Alfred Brendel The Farewell Concerts. Alfred Brendel (piano) Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra Charles Mackerras Decca 478 2116 (2008)