Beethoven's Missa Solemnis - Orchestra of the Age of Enlightenment

Sir Charles
Mackerras
and the
Philharmonia
Chorus
04
The Philharmonia Chorus sang
under Sir Charles’ baton many
times over some 35 years. It was in
performances of Handel that he
first conducted the Chorus, first in
1975 with Messiah in Orange,
France, and most memorably, in
début performances at the
legendary Teatro alla Scala in
Milan, with Judas Maccabeus.
Many memorable performances
followed, (including the Missa
Solemnis) and singers would look
forward with keen anticipation to
his rehearsals and concerts. In more
recent years there were notable
performances of Beethoven’s 9th
Symphony and Mozart’s Requiem
with the Philharmonia Orchestra,
Photo: Clive Barda
and a memorable semi-staged
performance of Weber’s Der
Freischütz with the Scottish
Chamber Orchestra at the
Edinburgh International Festival.
He was a galvanising presence
on the musical scene, and the
Chorus was immensely proud to
have him as its President. Typically,
he treated it as much more than an
honorary position, for he worked
hard and with considerable success
to promote the interests of the
Chorus at every opportunity. We
shall always be grateful to him.
Richard Harding
Chairman
Philharmonia Chorus