Chicago's about to party-party for the coronation of Riccardo Muti as CSO's Music Director, and among other things, the Chicago Sun Times took the time to mention their pick of Muti's "essential discs".
Now, the problem here is that -- unfortunately -- a significant part of Muti's best recordings is not available commercially, because the real best selection of Muti's work can often be found in his unofficial recordings. Muti's at his best outside of the studio (for example, the Verdi Requiem that he conducted in Milan's San Marco church -- the location of the work's premiere -- in memory of the 100th anniversary of Verdi's passing; or an astonishing 1998 version of Respighi's Impressioni Brasiliane, a forgotten masterpiece; and many other Scala-era unofficial recordings, and so forth: they're all to be found in unofficial, not commercially released recordings).
But when it comes to the official stuff one can find on Amazon, Muti's best in the symphonic repertoire according to Opera Chic. Click the link below for OC's Definitive List of Muti Recordings!
Opera Chic is, unabashedly, a Carmina Burana fan -- and let's just say that Muti gets the anti-modern savagery at CB's heart: and by the way, his Carmina Burana is supposed to be played LOUD (like when you're fighting level bosses in Final Fantasy VII).
The composer that Muti -- not an intellectual conductor, his best work is ruled by his musical instincts -- gets most beautifully is mostly Mozart. Muti gets Mozart's humanity, his radiance, and his speed. Just like one can hear in Mozart's Piano Concerto no. 22, where RM is kicking Mozartian a$$ with Sviatoslav Richter.
And speaking of Muti's Mozart, the Requiem he conducted has this Lachrymosa that will drive you (as it should) to tears.
Choral music is one of Muti's passions -- at la Scala he even championed Fux's Ave Regina -- therefore it's pretty awesome to see him shape Rossini's Choral Works in his trademark incandescent manner.
Another Muti CD to remember is his interpretation of Haendel's Wassermusik -- rich and shimmering, it's unabashedly triumphant -- Muti at work in a proudly un-HIP style.
But then, Muti is an Italian conductor in this Puccini/Catalani/Ponchielli orchestral works CD he shows his love for Verismo, setting the Intermezzo from Le Villi on fire -- and there's a bonus: a crazy, Kitsch-y CD cover.
Another OC favorite is Muti's very interesting Pictures from an Exhibition, where he rebuilds the Gate of Kiev from scratch.Muti's Brahms? It's not Giulini's idea of Brahms (if that's the kind of Brahms you like) but Muti recorded a CD set of the Brahms Symphonies where the Third, unexpectedly taut and sustained, is one to remember.
Oh, and Cherubini's Missa Solemnis in E shows you why Muti is so obsessed by the underrated composer's works.
Speaking of underrated composers, there's a reason why Muti thinks Nino Rota's Concerto for Strings is a 20th century masterpiece -- check it out. It's lovely, lovely music and Muti can flaunt the infinite colors of the orchestra's string.
And for number 11 of this little chart (because it's apparently "currently unavailable" so you can't find it on Amazon): a CD where Muti will flaunt his Wiener with the best Haffner you will probably ever hear.
Go on, put the needle on the record.