Muti told the Italian newspaper La Repubblica, "They have asked me to consider their offer. Since we are dealing with one of the most prestigious orchestras in the world, I greatly appreciated their invitation."

More precisely that, however, he would not say, adding, "For now, I don't want to make other statements."

Earlier this month, Muti resigned his post as music director of Milan's Teatro alla Scala after the opera house suffered a series of worker strikes and accusations that Muti was wielding too much influence.

Of the New York Philharmonic, which he recently led in a series of concerts, he said, "New York is a city where I have always worked very well, there is a great understanding with the musicians, and I feel that the public is close to me."

From 2006-07 through 2008-09, Muti will conduct the Philharmonic for four weeks per season. "Then," he said, "we'll see." Current Philharmonic music director Lorin Maazel will retire at the end of 2009-09.

Upcoming events for Muti include a tour that includes concerts with the Vienna Philharmonic, and performances of Mozart's The Magic Flute in Salzburg, which, Muti said, "is the ideal place to think."