Riccardo Muti and CSO Display Bust of Fritz Reiner at Chicago Symphony Center

Yesterday, the Chicago Symphony Orchestra unveiled a bronze bust of legendary CSO conductor Fritz Reiner for display at the Symphony Center. CSO Maestro Riccardo Muti and the symphony's association president, Jeff Alexander, were on hand for the ceremony.

Reiner was born in Hungary in 1888, emigrating to the United States in 1922 before finding renown as a conductor of various orchestras. Reiner served as the Chicago Symphony Orchestra's music director, 1953-1962, and then musical advisor, 1962-1963. He was the CSO's sixth music director overall. 

As reported by the Chicago Sun-Times, the CSO's archives contain a wealth of material on all past CSO conductors. The publication points out that Muti and Reiner share a "common denominator" with Maestro Antonino Votto, who served in the early 1960s and was an instructor of Muti's. The Sun-Times also details Reiner's many achievements as conductor: 

"Reiner and the CSO first recorded together on March 6, 1954, for RCA. He was the first CSO music director to record a Mahler symphony with the orchestra. He conducted the recording that won the CSO its first Grammy award for best classical performance. His final recording with the CSO was made in April 1963; Beethoven's 4th piano concert with van Cliburn. RCA recently released a 63-cd set of Reiner's complete recordings with the Chicago Symphony Orchestra."

Muti has been with the CSO since the 2010-2011 season, first named conductor in 2008. Previously, he served with the Philadelphia Orchestra and was a popular guest conductor with the New York Philharmonic. Muti famously composed a symphonic version of the Chicago Blackhawks' goal song for their 2013 Stanley Cup run.

The Orange County Register highlights CSO's prestigious lineage of conductors:

"Founded in 1891 by Theodore Thomas, the orchestra has long been considered among the world's greatest, and most formidable, ensembles, boasting the likes of Fritz Reiner, Rafael Kubelik, Georg Solti and Jean Martinon as music directors."

Watch the bust unveiling ceremony below:

We want to hear from you. Wouldn’t you like to own a bronze bust of Fritz Reiner for display in your own home? For our Chicagoan readers, would you prefer a bust of Fritz Reiner or Harry Caray?

TagsChicago Symphony Orchestra, Riccardo Muti, Fritz Reiner