Comments on On An Overgrown Path: Remembering a forgotten maestro

I guess this post has proved its point.We are back...

2007-10-24T08:49:00.000+01:00

I guess this post has proved its point.

We are back discussing star system conductors and orchestras.

I thank you, Pliable.Yes, Muti is often "slick".My...

2007-10-23T23:08:00.000+01:00

I thank you, Pliable.

Yes, Muti is often "slick".

My personal problem with Muti is that he is unable to develop and maintain a beautiful orchestral sound, which makes him a poor candidate to be permanent conductor of an orchestra with special sound qualities.

The sound picture Muti carries in his head is not apt, I believe, for much of the orchestral repertory. Muti seeks brilliance above all else--and, often, he obtains it, at the expense of other qualities.

I thank you again for your response.

Andrew

Andrew, I didn't say Muti's performances were that...

2007-10-23T22:59:00.000+01:00

Andrew, I didn't say Muti's performances were that bad. But I did say that they lacked the beauty of that VW5 from Ulster.

The CSO under Muti are a very slick band. But I'm afraid slick bands don't do it for me anymore.

Anthony Holden summed it up in the Observer - Even from such fine players under this suavest of maestros, the performance was immaculate rather than overwhelming and diminished by this absurd programming.

http://music.guardian.co.uk/live/story/0,,2190660,00.html

OK, Pliable, I must ask: were the Chicago Symphon...

2007-10-23T22:29:00.000+01:00

OK, Pliable, I must ask: were the Chicago Symphony concerts in London truly that bad?

Of course, I did not hear them. I DID read the London reviews, which I would term "mixed".

The CSO received excellent notices on the continent immediately prior to the London appearances.

At the conclusion of the recent tour, the members of the CSO were practically prepared to lie down and die for Riccardo Muti, so impressed were they with him.

So, again, I ask: were the London concerts truly that bad?

Myself, I would much prefer that the CSO continue to court Chailly, whom I much prefer over Muti.

However, Muti is hardly the worst conductor in the world.

I am simply curious, as you no doubt can tell.

Andrew

Email received:Is there a decent discography of Ma...

2007-10-23T22:10:00.000+01:00

Email received:

Is there a decent discography of Maurice Miles?

Anybody who specializes in Butterworth is special in and of themselves.Here is an English composer, who, had he lived, would have eclipsed them all.

Cheers

David Cavlovic

There are two Butterworths David.

There is George Butterworth who died in the First World War -
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/George_Butterworth

And the little known Arthur Butterworth (no relation) who is still alive, and whose music Maurice Miles performed - http://www.musicweb-international.com/buttera/index.htm

Confusing isn't it?