Review: Muti's Mostly Marvelous 91-CD Mega-box

Hot on the heals of Warner's 90+ disc Previn set comes this Riccardo Muti collection, and it's mostly terrific. OK, his digital Beethoven symphony series wasn't terribly special, but there are some splendid cycles (Schubert, Scriabin, Tchaikovsky, Cherubini) and spectacular individual discs of music by Stravinsky, Mahler, Berlioz, Liszt, Respighi, Verdi, Rossini, Mendelssohn, Schumann, Mussorgsky, Prokofiev and quite a few others. I enjoyed getting reacquainted with these performances, and you will too.

[stonefireice]

Wonderful review of one of the best conductors of our time! I have lived in Chicago for over 40 yrs and have been regular to the CCH, until about 10 yrs ago. I attended many concerts with Barenboim, Solti, but saw Muti only couple of times. And that’s too bad for me. Being originally from StPersburg -the center of Classical music in RU, I thought, I knew the best conductors of Tchaikovsky, including Mravinsky, Karajan, Szell. But to my surprise and astonishment, I can vote for Muti, as the best interpreter of Tchaikovsky. I could write an essay on it, but your verdict is good enough. I was also immersed into listening 4 Brahms symphonies in one setting. Another beautiful surprise! I’ve known of his exquisite Verdi records, and this time I will make room for Muti’s collection.
Thank you, Dave.

[user_]

This video is so niche and nerdy... I love it!

[thiinkerca]

You are living the dream of reviewing the latest box sets David Hurwitz. Your review of another riccardo, chailly that is and the Leipzig gewandaus orchestra in the beethoven symphonies. convinced me to get these digital recordings . Speaking of riccardo muti, I have his dupont opera box set and beethoven symphonies with Philly and I have enjoyed both sets immensity.

[Bucky]

Still available as of January 2025 and well worth getting. Love the Scriabin Symphonies

[robertjones]

The first time I heard Muti conduct was his record of Stravinsky's Rite of Spring with the Philadelphia Orchestra, in 1979. It was the most exciting and wild classical performance i had ever heard. Such deft transitions in time signatures, the timpani rhythmically sounding more like funk than anything else. I said to myself, "Ormandy sure left his orchestra in capable hands!" Too bad the unimaginative orchestra board thought otherwise. Thanks to those maroons, we got Sawallisch.

[HassoBenSoba]

In early November, 1976, I was standing in line at (the legendary) Patelson's music shop across from Carnegie Hall; directly behind me was a handsome young guy with jet-black hair who was holding a stack of full scores: ALL of the Mahler Symphonies (in the critical edition), waiting to purchase them. I asked "are you a conductor?" to which he answered "Muti, yes". I felt like a jerk for not having recognized him. As I recall, he was wearing a dull, olive-colored jacket...BUT..it might be the same brownish jacket he's wearing on the cover of his Mahler 1st recording..in place of a Scarf. So that may be the jacket which he only wears when thinking about Mahler.

Has he ever performed any Mahler Symphonies other than #1? It seems like he studied all of those scores and decided #1 was the only one that appealed to him. But I know he's got all the rest of 'em, and we can only hope he decides to perform some more while he still can. LR

[stevesincock]

Excellent survey David. Many thanks. Some great records I need to check out.

[matts]

Thanks for the great and thorough review. I was on the fence with this, but after your review I’m in!

[johnfowler]

One of the seven masses in Muti's Cherubini Mass box, the "Missa Di Chimay" is missing from the 91 CD Complete Muti box. Apparently EMI licensed the recording from Musicom, a small French label, but somebody forgot to renew the license or Musicom was asking too much. The single CD is out-of-print and pricey. The cheapest way to acquire the Missa di Chimay is to buy the Muti Cherubini Mass box (while you can).

[indranilpoddar]

Thanks a lot Dave…The Muti Beethoven Eroica, 5th, 6th and 9th on cassette were sold in large quantities in India in the 1980s and many of us who started collecting at the time were less than overwhelmed until we heard his Tchaikovsky cycle. The primary problem with this box set, in my opinion, as with many, is the issue of duplication. The original covers of course are a large attraction of course as many of his series of albums had almost generic covers when they were reissued. …Muti really was a conductor who stayed within his preferred repertoire in his discography…for once not much Bruckner or Mahler. I don’t know if his later Bruckner forays are worth hearing…Thank you again

[nickhamshaw]

Another great talk. Perhaps the reason for Muti’s neglect against Abbado and Chailly might have been his lack of interest in Mahler? It really did seem to be cult listening throughout his EMI career, so he just didn’t happen to plug into the Zeitgeist? Of course posterity can treat him better!

[AlexMadorsky]

I saw Muti do Shostakovich 13 live in Chicago an it was one of the best performances I’ve seen of anything, anywhere. I’m not highly familiar with Muti’s recorded legacy despite having seen him live in Chicago multiple times, so it’s time to keep on listening. Will probably start with Qobuz rather than a 91-disc set.

[davidwatts-vsys]

on the fence about this one, but you sold me! :)
saw it at a great price and went for it.
you cracked me up with Water Music reference; the definition of warhorse?

[nicholasjagger]

The Scriabin was briefly licensed to Brilliant for those on a budget.

[frankgyure]

I got interested in Classical exactly at the time of the CD rollout. I never had bought a Classical vinyl LP. I quickly imprinted on Szell and/or The Cleveland Orchestra so I bought all the Szell Sony Essential Classics, the ensuing remastered reincarnations and whatever Dohnanyi/Decca that I would see. I don’t remember a lot of EMI CDs and it seemed to be scattershot. Mostly I remember a lot of Furtwangler.I don’t even remember a lot of Klemperer. I’m just guessing that EMI just was not that well run and all the other major labels were much better at the CD rollout/period. Warner has done a much better job with the EMI back catalog than EMI ever did. That is just my memory and therefore that is my honest opinions. Thank you.

[hhk]

I agree about the Gavrilov Rachmaninov - really fine. I heard him do the 2nd live, and it was terrific! Also - yes please on the Dvorak violin concerto. What a wonderful, joyous piece (epecially the last mvmt)!

[swimmad]

I saw Muti and the Philadelphia do Tchaikovsky 6 at a London Prom. To me it was plush beautifully played but soulless. But the Prokofiev Romeo and Juliet in part two was amazing. Staggering virtuosity but with real character. Muti could really blow hot and cold even in the same concert.

[VallaMusic]

my first time noticing the phrase: "Abnormal is fine. Stupid is not." - words 2 live by, for sure

[bendingcaesar]

Great review, David. Too bad Warner doesn't want to invest in fresh remasterings. Now, they need to release a Klemperer box, and a Beecham box.

[RichardGreen]

I subscribed to the Philadelphia's series in Washington in the early 1980s. Overall, the concerts were marvelous, but for some reason, everyone was out of sync when they did Beethoven 7. It shows that anyone can have a bad night.