Penguin Guide - Classical

quote:

Originally posted by graham55:
Well, on this we are agreed: there are a lot of present day conductors, Muti included, whom I'd like to see "waive their stick", indeed not even bother to stand in front of an orchestra at all!

An almost clever response. By the way, how is Muti a "lightweight"? Other than you not liking him, that is?


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Simply because Muti's never made as great recordings as his contemporaries. I remember, over 20 years ago, comparing closely his EMI 'La Traviata' with Carlos Kleiber's contemporaneous account for DG: they weren't even in the same league. That encapsulates his entire career, producing also-ran performances, while demanding top-of-the-line fees.

But, if he can persuade promoters/recording companies to shell out top whack, good for him, whatever I may think.

Bitterness in the pursuit of a hobby?

Well, mr eschman, if that was aimed at me, I'm not "bitter", I just find that there are so many better interpreters out there of the music that I love.

Anyway, now that the attacks are becoming (only too predictably) personal, I'll leave this thread to others who want to comment.

quote:

Originally posted by graham55:
Simply because Muti's never made as great recordings as his contemporaries.

Suffice it to say I disagree completely. His early 21st Century Otello and Falstaff are both top-flight, as is his Sriabin, and Bellini, all of which I mentioned earlier. (I agree that Kleiber's La Traviata is better, but I also don't really care for the opera much.) On other repertoire he can be hit and miss, but pretty much every other conductor is the same - Abbado, Walter, Toscanini, Klemperer, and every other conductor I've heard isn't the tops in everything they conduct. Some may have a higher percentage of hits, but that doesn't in any way make Muti, or similar conductors (apparently all currently performing and recording ones?) "lightweight".


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La Traviata is notoriously hard to get right in the house or on disc. Kleiber may have the sexier cast, but I feel Muti dug deeper and achieved more in this opera. In the 80s, Renata Scotto's voice had developed a harsh edge and takes some getting used to, and Alfredo Kraus didn't sound like a young suitor anymore, like he did for Callas. Nevertheless, by comparison, Ileana Cotrubas sounds trite and Domingo superficial. But it was Muti who truly showed his craft here.

I like and own both - but over the years, developed a preference for the Muti.

EJ

Here's one where I agree with Graham. The Quartetto Italiano may have been equalled but not surpassed in Beethoven (and Mozart).

EJ