Riccardo Chailly, the acclaimed conductor known for his dedication to contemporary music and modernizing traditional repertoire, has a rich discography with Decca featuring works by Zemlinsky, Hindemith, Schnittke, Mahler, and Stravinsky. Born in Milan in 1953, Chailly began his career as Claudio Abbado's assistant at La Scala before transitioning to symphonic conducting, leading prestigious orchestras like the Royal Concertgebouw Orchestra and Leipzig Gewandhaus Orchestra. Across Europe and the U.S., he has collaborated with renowned ensembles and artists, showcasing his passion for under-appreciated composers like Varèse and Zemlinsky while also exploring Baroque performance practices and operatic recordings.

Chailly's artistic journey has seen him championing modern composers, leading esteemed orchestras, and delving into diverse musical genres. From his early days as an opera conductor to his transformative tenure with the Royal Concertgebouw Orchestra and subsequent roles with orchestras like the Leipzig Gewandhaus and La Scala, Chailly has consistently pushed boundaries and nurtured fresh perspectives in classical music. With a commitment to showcasing overlooked composers and experimenting with period styles, Chailly's expansive repertoire and innovative approach have solidified his position as a leading figure in the classical music world, as evidenced by his ongoing projects and extended contracts with prestigious ensembles like the Lucerne Festival Orchestra.