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Title: An engaging concert from Muti, with many unusual items
Review: My mind is pretty clear about why I don't buy Muti recordings. He's an arrogant stuffed tuxedo who hasn't had a musical idea worth a second thought, and he looks as if his face would fall off if he dared to smile. Over the years Muti has been allowed to conduct a vast range of music, none of it with any real distinction. And yet...This 2004 New Year's concert contains a trove of Strauss and Lanner rarities (at least a dozen items would be known only to specialist collectors), which Muti conducts nicely, if not exactly with high good humor. The Vienna Phil. has a long relationship with Muti, and they play comfortably and well for him. Muti doesn't drive the music hard for once, and he even allows a lilt here and there. I am taking no pains to disguise my dislike of his music-making, but this was a refreshingly low-key day with the Strausses, and I enjoyed it.
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