Riccardo Muti dedicates Beethoven 9th to people of Ukraine
NewsThe Chicago Symphony music director preceded his concert with a statement on Ukraine.
Among other things he said: ‘We make music that means joy and peace. But … we will think in this moment that joy without peace cannot exist..
Leader.
Oh yes, if you get lost in a forest, Muti is the leader to take you in and out of it. Siberian forests, or jungles, it does not matter … he knows how to find his way!
A leader?
A leader would have used the leader pulpit to dress down Putin and his rogue regime. Not a leader in my book.
Leaders know how to behave appropriately. You obviously lack that talent, which involved good judgement.
muti directly condemned putin at last night’s concert.
Like Multi or loathe him, his comment was a propos. I don’t understand the many dislikes for Player’s comment. Our focus may be music, but we’re human and are witnessing a superpower inflicting very great harm on a small country and its people over “threats”.
We attended the CSO concert last night and Muti used the moment before the concert to send a message to Putin. I don’t remember the exact wording but he asked Putin to remove his bloody tanks from Ukraine and recognize the integrity of the human lives he is destroying. I admire Muti tremendously and it was a magnificent concert. 6 standing ovations! I am grateful to have been there!
From warzone of Chicago, between tiramisu and grappa, so brave of him….he should get a medal for audacity of his speech. And I think Putin will reconsider after such strong words. At least the maestro could fall asleep with consciousness of accomplished duty. 1 or 2 pillows maestro?
Muti very recently received a prestigious award from the Russian Academy for the Arts. He hasn’t returned it. Do you think he will? That’s what real leaders would do. He won’t
According to Chicago observers, “the maestro said the stage where they play is not a venue for political grandstanding”. This statement sounds eerily similar to the Vienna Philharmonic’s attitude.
Will the Grand Maestro and his brainchild Ravenna Festival solemnly renounce Gergiev? Or will they bestow him again the great honor of letting him conduct the Cherubinis? Will Muti have cozy dinners with Gergiev in Ravenna again?
Read the tea leaves below for solid hints:
https://www.alamy.com/stock-photo-russian-president-vladimir-putin-left-and-riccardo-muti-right-conductor-22916408.html
https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Vladimir_Putin_with_Riccardo_Muti-1.jpg
Note that, unlike the Berlin Philharmonic statement, you will be hard pressed to find in this statement by the Bill Clinton of classical music any condemnation of Putin or Russia … he does not want to hurt the feelings of his buddy Gergiev. He does not want to condemn Putin. Why?
This 9th was one to remember (not). Here are some excerpts from the Chicago Classical Review:
“While the Ninth is abundantly familiar, it does not play itself, and here as throughout there were isolated moments when the maestro was a bit casual where more incisive leadership was called for. The resulting minor ensemble issues though were an afterthought …”
“The opening of the Molto vivace was pristine and almost cackled, though as the movement progressed it settled into a generalized tempo, losing the operative “molto.” This became clear when the thematic material would return in need of a jolt.
While the variations of the benedictory Adagio did evolve organically, Muti’s rendition felt on the surface, not plumbing the deeply inward meditative qualities of this music. Nonetheless, the musicians’ playing was exquisite, particularly that of the principal winds.”
This time, they cannot blame Larry Johnson. Another night in Chicago, with Muti and unrecognizable Beethoven.
maybe you should pay some attention, as larry johnson didn’t even write the review you cite lol. and FYI, muti gave a direct condemnation of putin at last night’s concert.
Steve, again you why are you so slow on the uptake. That is my point, Larry Johnson did not write this review, so they can’t blame him this time. You follow?
And no, he didn’t mention Putin or Russia.
Stop the presses! Chicagorat doesn’t like Muti–and found a critic who (sort of) agrees with him! Shocking!
Shocking, I tell you! ***yawn***.
I played the performance. You can like it or hate it (I quite liked it), but the adjective “unrecognizable” is preposterous.
It’s remarkable that he let you play. Historically he did not want to see too much of you.
Other violin, thank you for such an insightful comment. You must be a real joy to know
Bravo maestro!!!!
RICCARDO MUTI = FUGAZI
Bravo
Muti is polishing his statues. Good for him.
Behind appearances, a very unethical man for those of us who have eyes to see what’s going on. Damages the institution
I’d be interested to know why you think maestro Muti “unethical”.
and so why don’t you do anything about it? cause then aren’t you an enabler if you see what’s going on? it boggles my mind to read stupid comments like this.
Because it’s not her job? Because it’s Alexander’s and the Board’s job, who are failing in their fiduciary responsibilities? Or do we seriously believe that ‘we-know-who’ would allow something like this to take place at Northern Trust?
or maybe there’s nothing going on and y’all just have some weird animus against him lmfao
The understatement of the century.
I think if you ask some of our great male colleagues, even those in prominent chairs, they would find it not only ethical but heroic. Almost like a right. Some men, outside of the house, are homunculi.
Also – this:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U5CTE_5EWDk
BRAVO, Maestro! ♥
Stand with Ukraine, in every corner.
Bravo, maestro! Mille grazie!
Will it help restore peace???
BArenboim tried it in many similar ways with Palestinian and Isarel…
What does he think of that???
YES! Thank you, Maestro. I remember when the Berlin Wall fell to these same notes. NOW we all have to unite and prevent it being rebuilt.
Beethoven was deaf when he composed the Ninth Symphony, a work commissioned by the Royal Philharmonic Society of London. The unforgettable theme from the last movement repeatedly states the note sequence “D-E-A-F#.” It is extraordinary that Beethoven transformed his worst malady into his greatest melody.
http://enigmathemeunmasked.blogspot.com/2014/11/beethovens-ninth-deaf-cipher.html
Good for Muti. Bravo.
Oh lord, definitely the world could not keep going around without those holier than thou hypocrites à lá Lothario, left alone even by his lord Mandrakio, probably too ashamed. Of course he is asking for the repudiation of Gergiev. I am sure he was coherently shouting from the roof for all the world to repudiate American conductors after the invasion of Iraq