Sir Charles Mackerras to be honoured by the Czech Ministry of Culture

Press Release

Prague - 15th April 2010

Sir Charles Mackerras to be honoured by the Ministry of Culture for his contribution to Czech music. Supraphon to award him two Gold and two Platinum Discs

On 27 April 2010 the Ministry of Culture of the Czech Republic will award Sir Charles Mackerras the ARTIS BOHEMIAE AMICI medal for promoting the good reputation of Czech music. The medal will be handed over to the Maestro by the Minister of Culture, Václav Riedlbauch, who has personally known the celebrated conductor for a long time and previously, as Director of the Czech Philharmonic Orchestra, was in regular contact with him. Sir Charles has performed with the Czech Philharmonic for many years and has made with the orchestra the majority of his recordings of Czech music released by Supraphon.

The Supraphon record label will extend the Ministry of Culture’s accolade by awarding Sir Charles two Gold and two Platinum Discs. The best-selling titles in question are Smetana’sMy Country (SU 3465-2), Dvořák’s Slavonic Dances (SU 3808-2), Janáček’s symphonic works, overtures and suites from operas (SU 3739-2) and Martinů’s Three Fragments from the opera Juliette (SU 3994-2). The Gold and Platinum Discs will be presented to Sir Charles in linkage to the handing over of the Ministry of Culture’s accolade in the exquisite premises of the Nostitz Palace (the seat of the Ministry of Culture of the CR) on Maltese Square (Maltézské náměstí) in Prague. The guests attending the ceremony will include the Ambassador of the United Kingdom and a number of distinguished artists and representatives of Czech cultural institutions.

In 2005 Sir Charles Mackerras received from Supraphon a Jubilee Platinum Disc for immense artistic contribution to the company’s collection of recordings and for promotion of Czech music worldwide. Considered a great connoisseur and specialist in Czech music, Sir Charles' two latest recordings for Supraphon were Martinů’s "platinum" Juliette, which won a Gramophone Award in 2009, and a brand-new album featuring Dvořák’s Symphonic Poems, which has already met with great critical acclaim. The co-operation between Sir Charles Mackerras and Supraphon dates back to 1978 and has borne fruit in the form of dozens of successful recordings.