celebrating italy

Riccardo Muti conducts the Chicago Symphony Orchestra through a program featuring two classical works celebrating the majesty of Italy, as well as a world premiere by the modern day genius of Philip Glass. Richard Strauss' Aus Italien was inspired by the composer's travels to Rome, Naples, Bologna and other famous sites around Italy in his early twenties, whilst Mendelssohn's magnificent Italian Symphony conjures the sights and sounds of Italy's glorious countryside.

Finally, in a special commission for Chicago Symphony, minimalist composer Philip Glass's Triumph of the Octagon was inspired by the octagonal patterns in the Castel del Monte in south eastern Italy.