THE Royal Liverpool Philharmonic led tributes to world renowned conductor Sir Charles Mackerras after his death from cancer, at the age of 84.

Sir Charles had a long association with the Phil, culminating in his being awarded the title of Conductor Emeritus last year.

He last conducted the Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra (RLPO) in 2009, and was due to return to the Philharmonic Hall this November for a concert.

The Australian-born conductor was notable for being the first non-Briton to conduct the Last Night of the Proms.

He was due to conduct two of the Proms in this summer’s season, which begins today.

Sir Charles’s association with Liverpool Phil began in 1985. He conducted the orchestra many times in concerts in Liverpool, throughout the UK and on tour in Germany, Spain and Switzerland.

He was appointed principal guest conductor of the RLPO from 1993 to 1996.

His many distinguished recordings with the Liverpool Phil include Beethoven’s complete symphonies, Mahler symphonies Nos. 1 and 5, Moussorgsky’s Pictures at an Exhibition and the works of Delius.

Andrew Cornall, the Phil’s executive director, said: “Sir Charles Mackerras was one of Britain’s best-known and best-loved conductors, and one of the most important musicians of our day.

“He enjoyed a long-standing association with Liverpool Phil and made a major contribution to our musical life, both on the concert platform and through the many recordings we made together, of which the Beethoven complete symphonies on EMI are still regarded as outstanding interpretations of these works.

“We were very much looking forward to Sir Charles returning to Liverpool to conduct the orchestra in November and we all offer our deepest condolences to Lady Mackerras and Sir Charles’s family.”