“managing to make passages sound as fast and clear as Rossini” with a third movement and finale that had “an opera-like dramatic feeling as if he were still director of La Scala.”

Maestro Muti also leads the Orchestra and Chorus in four performances of Brahms’ A German Requiem, with Swedish soprano Elin Rombo and Canadian baritone Russell Braun making their CSO debuts.

Comparing the requiems of Brahms and Verdi, Muti notes that “the two are completely different. The text [of Verdi] is one of the most terrifying…a work that underlines the pains, worry, and fears of all of us.” Brahms‘ seven-movement creation was written to soothe those who mourn. Instead of following a particular liturgy, Brahms took an unconventional approach, choosing various Bible passages to make up the text. Reflective and tender, with words of comfort, this is a universal work for the living. “I would gladly omit even the word German and instead use Human,” the composer declared.