Nicholas Yasillo replies to us Muti-bashers: > Some things to consider: > > 1. The Riccardo Muti of today is not necessarily the same person who > conducted in Philadelphia 25 yeas ago. True, and it's a telling point. I, for instance, haven't heard any of his recent work. > 2. Many people, including me think that the change in Phily from the > lush "Ormandy" sound was much needed, Today's orchestras need to be more > flexible and need to be able to adapt to a "composer's intent". I have problems with this. First, you'll never know the composer's intent, particularly the intent of a dead composer. Second, this was Muti's argument at the time he ruined the Philadelphia. Third, it seems iffy to me to say that a sound should reflect what's in the score. As far as I know, Ormandy never changed a note, yet here we are, squabbling over whether he "betrayed" the composer. Fourth, if all you want is an accurate, informed performance, why not just create a MIDI file? > 2. Of the 30 or so conductors who have been guest conducting the C.S.O > over the last 2 years, Muti was far and away the orchestra's favorite > and was absolutely at the top of the list as choice for Music Director. That counts for a lot. > 3. A C.S.O player who is one of Muti's most outspoken and biggest > supporters was someone who played under him in Philadelphia. Some people liked Loren Maazel when he took over the Cleveland. *I* liked him, but not necessarily because I thought he was right for the orchestra -- rather, I liked his repertoire. > 4. A strictly personal observation: For the month that Muti conducted > the C.S.O. this season in Chicago and on-tour, the Orchestra played > (I.M.H.O.) better than it has since the peak of the Solti days. Again, a powerful argument. I'm perfectly willing to own up to treating Muti unfairly. I should give him a chance. But I still hate his Philadelphia recordings. Steve Schwartz *********************************************** The CLASSICAL mailing list is powered by L-Soft's renowned LISTSERV(R) list management software together with L-Soft's HDMail High Deliverability Mailer for reliable, lightning fast mail delivery. For more information, go to: http://www.lsoft.com/LISTSERV-powered.html