수크: <아즈라엘> 교향곡 C단조
찰스 매커라스(지휘), 체코 필하모닉 오케스트라
Recorded live at the Rudolfinum, Prague, on April 5-6, 2007


2010년 세상을 떠난 위대한 거장, 찰스 매커라스의 2007년 4월 프라하 실황 공연! 작곡가 수크가 장인 드보르작과 그의 딸이자 아내인 오틸리에의 죽음을 추모하며 쓴 이 교향곡은 의심할 바 없이 20세기 체코 관현악 레퍼터리의 최대 걸작이다. 죽음의 천사인 아즈라엘을 제목으로 삼은 이 교향곡은 바츨라프 탈리히 이후 체코 지휘자들이 탁월한 음반을 남겼는데, 탈리히의 제자인 매커라스가 작품 초연 100주년 기념으로 지휘한 이 실황녹음은 탈리히의 전설적인 명반 이후 최대의 명연이라고 해도 과언이 아니다. ‘이것이야말로 우리가 가질 수 있는 최상의 결정반에 가장 가까운 음반이다’ - BBC뮤직매거진 초이스★

Gramophone Magazine Editor's Choice - June 2011


BBC Music Magazine Orchestral Choice - May 2011


International Record Review March 2011
“There are so many moments that come memorably to life in this reading...the driving energy of Mackerras's conducting is thrilling, and the combination of clarity and warmth that he finds in Suk's orchestral textures comes across impressively...it's quite simply the greatest performance I've ever heard of Asrael”


The Sunday Times 20th March 2011 ****
“Mackerras has the advantage of an orchestra that has lived and breathed this music for 100 years — it was premiered exactly a century before these concerts — and his own deep involvement with Czech music gives him persuasive insights.”


The Guardian 31st March 2011 ****
“Mackerras's performance has a wonderful objectivity about it, as well as a quiet intimacy in the more reflective moments. Superbly played, it's a perfect demonstration of why Mackerras was a great conductor, and of his ability to bring the best out of whoever and whatever he was conducting.”


Financial Times 16th April 2011 ****
“The Czech Philharmonic’s live performance breathes a conviction and beneath-the-skin rapture that you won’t find in any other recording.”


BBC Music Mgazine May 2011 *****
“Asrael encompasses formal experiment, superb orchestration, a magnificent grasp of scale and, above all, an unerring feel for catharsis...Charles Mackerras's performance encapsulates all of these qualities...Not only does he see the staggering originality of Suk's vision, but, effortlessly, he folds into his interpretation the depth of his knowledge of the Czech repertoire...this is the closest to the definitive version we have.”