Mutual admiration between Riccardo Muti, one of the most renowned conductors in the world, and the Wiener Philharmoniker was on full display at the Maggio Fiorentino. The audience at the Florence concert hall erupted in applause for Muti and the celebrated orchestra, both at the beginning and end of a mesmerizing one hour and forty-minute performance. The program featured two Viennese masterpieces, Mozart’s Symphony No. 35 in D major, K. 385, known as the “Haffner Symphony,” and Schubert’s Symphony No. 9 in C major, D. 944, also known as the “Great.” These works were carefully chosen to showcase the orchestra’s distinctive sound and musicality.
This concert at the Maggio Fiorentino is the second stop in a brief Italian tour for Maestro Muti and the Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra, which previously performed in Ravenna and will continue on to Bari. The collaboration between Muti and the Wiener Philharmoniker has a longstanding history, with their most recent concert taking place in Florence in the spring of 2021. Before treating the audience to an encore performance, Muti expressed his gratitude to Florence and its music-loving public.
“I want to express my gratitude to Florence and the Florentine audience,” Muti said. “This city holds a special place in my artistic and personal life, as all three of my children were born here. It is where everything began for me, thanks to the Maggio Musicale Fiorentino orchestra in the late 1960s.” Muti also fondly remembered the esteemed professors of the city’s historic Teatro Comunale, who played a pivotal role in his career. “I must thank them,” he continued, “as they invited me to become the director of the Maggio, which marked the beginning of my journey. We must never forget those who have supported us along the way, including the Florentine audience, who have been instrumental in shaping my path. You will always hold a special place in my heart.”
Muti’s connection with Florence is so strong that even today, when he walks the streets, people with gray hair exclaim, “Look, it’s Muti!” he jokingly revealed. “Now we have two options: either we leave or we give an encore,” he announced to the delighted audience. The chosen piece for the encore was Strauss’ Kaiser Walzer (Emperor Waltz), a majestic composition that left the crowd on their feet, showering Muti and the orchestra with adoration.
This outstanding performance by Riccardo Muti and the Wiener Philharmoniker at the Maggio Fiorentino is a testament to the enduring power of music and the deep connection between artists, orchestras, and their audiences. It is a reminder of the rich cultural heritage that Florence holds and the pivotal role it has played in shaping the careers of renowned musicians like Muti. As we eagerly await the televised New Year’s concert featuring Muti and the Vienna Philharmonic, we are grateful for these exceptional musical moments that bring joy and inspiration to audiences around the world.