The conductor Sergiu Celibidache was a legend in his own lifetime, mesmerising orchestras with his intensity and brilliance, both in rehearsals and in performances - which were always conducted from memory. These recordings pair the first of Mozart's last three symphonies, which Misha Donat puts "among musical history’s most miraculous feats of concentrated inspiration" with Schubert's second Symphony, an extraordinary work from a 17-year-old. The Celibidache Symphonic Series celebrates the historic release on DVD of rare footage of the few performances ever recorded for television.

Celibidache conducting Mozart’s Symphony no. 39 and Schubert's Symphony no. 2 with the Orchestra Sinfonica di Torino della RAI in this 1969 Turin recording.

Features

Mozart Symphony no. 39
Schubert Symphony no. 2
Cherubini Overture to Il portatore d'acqua

Reviews

‘His intense, finely balanced and deeply felt interpretations made him one of the greatest names in twentieth century orchestral conducting. Above all, he was a superb technician.’ All Music Guide

'Celibidache's probing insight transcends mere peculiarity to recall an art of the past that is still being created afresh by this wonderful musician. … Whether these readings are definitive or "the best" is entirely beside the point; they are unique and nowadays that in itself makes them irreplaceably valuable. … Celibidache is the supreme genius among living conductors.’ Classical Notes.net