MCANA Reports: Riccardo Muti, Chicago Symphony Host Critics

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The Windy City, host to the MCANA 2014 convention (Paul Hyde)
The Windy City, host to the MCANA 2014 convention, featured concerts by Riccardo Muti and the Chicago Symphony.
(Paul Hyde)
By MCANA Critics

CHICAGO — The 2014 Annual Meeting of the Music Critics Association of North America, held in Chicago from June 17-19, centered largely on the Chicago Symphony Orchestra, which graciously hosted approximately a third of our members during our too-short visit.

Riccardo Muti chats with members of the MCANA. (Todd Rosenberg)
Riccardo Muti chats with members of the MCANA at Orchestra Hall. (Todd Rosenberg)

Two full CSO concerts of Schubert and Mahler, a fascinating rehearsal followed by a substantial, highly informative discussion with music director Riccardo Muti; panels about the present state of classical radio and the CSO’s sound as evidenced by its multi-faceted music-making; a visit to the Lyric Opera of Chicago for confabs with general director Anthony Freud and dramaturg Roger Pines; and an al fresco diversion to hear part of a concert by the Grant Park Symphony Orchestra — interrupted by a memorable thunderstorm — were the highlights of the gathering.

Chicago’s cultural amenities drew critics from across the US and Canada. Many arrived ahead of the meeting and then lingered afterwards for additional sight-seeing. A great time was had by all, and our hearts are full of thanks and appreciation for the arts community of this wonderful, windy (and sometimes wet) city.

Follow these links to reports and reviews by MCANA members for Classical Voice North America and various other print and web publications:

Chicago Symphony Bassoonist Shines In Mozart Concerto — By Mike Telin

Muti, Chicago SO Dazzle In Pairing Schubert, Mahler — By Ken Keaton

To Visitor’s Ears, Chicago SO’s Hall Detailed, Coherent — By Richard S. Ginell

Elsewhere:

With music critics in Chicago — Muti and the Chicago Symphony — Kalmar and the Grant Park Orchestra — By James Bash at Northwest Reverb

Reporting back from Chicago — By Elizabeth Bloom at the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

Beautiful thoughts on dialogue, culture and society from Riccardo Muti — By Elizabeth Bloom at the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

Lessons of Riccardo Muti’s Schubert cycle tell as CSO caps season with poetic Mahler First — By Lawrence B. Johnson at Chicago On the Aisle

Riccardo Muti and the Chicago Symphony are forever young with Mozart and Schubert — By Chuck Lavazzi at KDHX St. Louis

Two very different voices of spring with Muti and the Chicago Symphony — By Chuck Lavazzi at KDHX St. Louis

David McGill exiting CSO on superb high note in Muti-led program — By Andrew Patner at the Chicago Sun-Times

Thunder stalls, cuts short Grant Park Music Festival concert — By Andrew Patner at the Chicago Sun-Times

Mahler, Muti bring spectacular end to CSO season — By Andrew Patner at the Chicago Sun-Times

Muti’s return caps banner day for the CSO — By John von Rhein at the Chicago Tribune

Storm cuts short Grant Park concert — By John von Rhein at the Chicago Tribune

Riccardo Muti leads the CSO in season finale — By John von Rhein at the Chicago Tribune

Riccardo Muti and the Critics — By Paul E. Robinson at Musical Toronto

Members of the Music Critics Association of North America with Riccardo Muti, music director of the Chicago Symphony Orchestra. (Todd Rosenberg)
Members of the Music Critics Association of North America with Riccardo Muti, music director of the Chicago Symphony.
(Todd Rosenberg)