Riccardo Muti, already established in the pantheon of legendary conductors, heralded a new era for the distinguished Chicago Symphony Orchestra (CSO) when he became the orchestra’s 10th music director in 2010. His debut recording with the CSO scooped two Grammy awards and performances were described by the Chicago Tribune as a “life-changing experience”.
Founded in 1891, the CSO has long been among the world’s top orchestras, with Fritz Reiner, Georg Solti, Rafael Kubelik and Bernard Haitink preceeding Muti at the helm, and a total of 62 Grammy awards for its recordings — an achievement that no other music ensemble has accomplished. With shimmering brass, virtuosic woodwind and sonorities strings, the music-making of the CSO continues to elicit worldwide admiration.
For their Hong Kong performances, the CSO performs Brahms’ Second Symphony, Beethoven’s epoch-making Eroica Symphony, as well as orchestral scores by Italian masters, including Busoni’s Suite for Turandot, all invigorated by Muti’s eloquent baton. The Programme opening performance is part of The Hong Kong Jockey Club Series, funded by The Hong Kong Jockey Club Charities Trust.
The 29 Jan performance is part of the Sino Group Arts Celebration Series sponsored by Sino Group. “Muti, lithe and energetic, drew such a glorious sound from his players.” The New York Times
“Muti turns standard repertoire into music that feels newly minted.” Chicago Tribune PROGRAMME: 28 January 2013 STRAVINSKY: Divertimento from The Fairy’s Kiss BUSONI: Suite from Turandot, Op 41 BRAHMS: Symphony No 2 in D, Op 73 29 January 2013 VERDI: Overture to I Vespri Siciliani MENDELSSOHN: Symphony No 4 in A, Op 90, Italian BEETHOVEN: Symphony No 3 in E-flat, Op 55, Eroica Conductor RICCARDO MUTI For further information: http://www.hk.artsfestival.org/en