Riccardo Muti, the Italian conductor, has been a fixture in the world of classical music for decades. Born in Naples in 1941, he has conducted orchestras all over the world. He has been the music director of the Chicago Symphony Orchestra since 2010, but his tenure is coming to an end. After a recent concert, he sat down with a journalist in his studio at Orchestra Hall to talk about his life, his music, and his beliefs.
Muti has always been a popular conductor, and his name is synonymous with the profession. He is known for his comportment, knowledge, charisma, and longevity. He has been conducting since at least 1980 when he became the music director of the Philadelphia Orchestra. In those days, the Philadelphians had a slogan: “Tutti per Muti” (“Everyone for Muti”). It was emblazoned on T-shirts, coffee mugs, and other things. Muti has conducted a great deal of new music, including American new music, but he notes that much of the music of the 20th century is gone, just gone. Unplayed, unsung, unheard. Pizzetti, Malipiero, Nono, Berio, to name only Italians — gone, for the most part. There has been a great distance between modern classical music and public taste. Composers haven’t given people much to warm to, or remember. As for popular music, it is becoming ever more “stupid and superficial,” says Muti.
During the interview, Muti talks about his life and his craft. He reflects on his career and his calling, noting that if you take this profession seriously, it is a torment all your life. He has never gone to the podium thinking, “Oh, I’m so happy to conduct a concert.” Every time he goes to the podium, he puts himself in front of the composer, in front of the music, in front of the orchestra, in front of the audience. It’s a big, big responsibility.
Muti has a nice engagement in Vienna next May: He will conduct the Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra, which is nothing new — he has conducted the VPO in 53 straight seasons. But next May is something special in that it will mark the 200th anniversary of Beethoven’s Ninth Symphony, which premiered in Vienna. The VPO has chosen Muti to conduct the work on the anniversary.
At the end of the interview, Muti reflects on his craft and his career, noting that if you take this profession seriously, it is a torment all your life. He has never gone to the podium thinking, “Oh, I’m so happy to conduct a concert.” Every time he goes to the podium, he puts himself in front of the composer, in front of the music, in front of the orchestra, in front of the audience. It’s a big, big responsibility.
