Riccardo Muti and the New York Philharmonic swept through the Northeast recently. We heard them at the Kimmel Center Friday night and had a response much like the ones we've had before.
The same program was performed in DC and NY. Anne Midgette writes in the Washington Post that Muti made the ensemble "glow like a teenage girl in love." Anthony Tommasini of the New York Times says "Mr. Muti is a major musician," and had these thoughts.
It would be nice to have Muti guest conducting again with his old orchestra in Philadelphia. Maybe some of the dinner conversation Friday night touched on that; after the concert, friends took Muti to Girasole, his old haunt (albeit in a new location).
The Muti fan club in Philadelphia is alive and well. It was clear the audience would love to have him back. I don't get all gushy on the subject of Muti the way others do, but you can add my vote, too.
Readers? What do you think?
"Have him back" in what way? As a guest, maybe. But judging from Friday's concert, Muti still has no idea what to do with American orchestras. And evidently, he has not expanded his repertoire much since we last saw him here back in the mid 80's. Good luck, Chicago... don't say the folks in Philly and Milan didn't warn you.— SupportTheArtsInPhilly- I'm on record from another recent discussion on here as not having been a big Muti fan in the past, but thinking he is probably a better conductor today than he was in his Philadelphia years based on the few things I've heard from him in recent years. I'd be happy to have him guest conduct here (although a lot of his programming leaves something to be desired, at least in part because it's often so repetitive). Any sort of deeper relationship is likely out of the question at this point. Even if it weren't, I'm not sure reaching back in that direction would be the best thing for the Orchestra, although it would likely help at the box-office.— phlmaestro
- I'd much rather have him come back to guest conduct a concert or two each year instead of Eschenbach.— Thornhill
Comment removed.- He would definitely sell out a series. The question is does he have the time or the inclination to return. His last PO appearance came about via some intense cajoling from friendly players from his past. Could they impose on him once more for the sake of the orchestra's bottom line? Also in passing has Muti ever expressed his like or dislike of conducting in Verizon Hall?— salazar
- Muti had not conducted the Chicago Symphony for 30+ years, but a triumphant European tour in 2007 set the stage for this new and intriguing partnership. They already love him in Chicago, and the CSO is at the top of its game, thanks to Haitink's stewardship. It would be great to have Muti periodically come back to Philly.— brichpmr
- I wouldn't advise anyone to hold their breath concerning Muti returning as a guest conductor with the Philadelphia Orchestra. Once he starts in Chicago, the informal rule that music directors of "Big Five" orchestras do not guest-conduct other Big Five orchestras kicks in. Of course, if he continues to guest-conduct the New York Philharmonic in seasons after this (i.e. 2010-2011 and beyond), then I am happily proved wrong. Somehow, though, methinks not.— The Other George W.
- I know this comment string is old, but I'm visiting some articles about Muti and came upon this one. The individual ironically named "SupportTheArtsInPhilly" has apparently been out to lunch while adding his or her support. The remark about Muti last conducting here in the mid '80s is unbelievable. Muti was the Music Director of The Philadelphia Orchestra until May 1992. He returned to conduct concerts in 1993, 1997 and 2005. He cancelled a series of concerts in 2006 due to illness.— JT123
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