When I started to collect Celibidache's sound and video recordings many years ago, the official EMI and DG releases were unheard of, and was plain wishful thinking at that time. This is a journey full of frustrations and joy, sometimes all mixed together in one go. It all started with those releases from minor pirate labels here and there, and then came the plethora of CDs of his Munich concerts from what we somewhat affectionately called the "violet" and "green" discs (from Meteor and Audior respectively) among our circle of Celi fans. That was a joyful period for our ears but painful for our pockets, for these CDs didn't come in cheap.
The classical music world was then taken by storm with the announcement of official releases from EMI of his Munich recordings. It was a time of great expectations. Not long after that DG stepped in with a view to share the pie. The initial project target was almost too good to be true: to release all Celi's recordings held in radio or concert hall archives. But it was doomed as sales volume dropped when more and more box-sets were issued. We thought we would have no more of new releases.
Not until 2008 did we see a resurrection of this project masterminded by Celi's son. It was the very important box-set from Orfeo of Celi's brief Cologne period. I'd say it shows Celi's rite of passage to his future artistic aspirations and cult status.
Let's see the pictures arranged in roughly chronological order of Celi's career.
Recordings of his years leading the Berlin Philharmonic issued by Tahra
His studio recordings: Tchaikovsky Symphony No. 5 and Nutcracker Suite (LPO/Decca), Prokofiev Classical Symphony, Mendelssohn Violin Concerto with Siegried Borries (BPO/EMI) and Brahms Violin Concerto with Ida Haendel (LSO/EMI). These CDs are Japanese releases.
An important document of a brief period. I like these CDs very much.
The Fonit Cetra set of his Italian years.
This Celi recording is also included in the DG set.
The rather ill-fated DG releases.
The age of pirates.
My treasured collection of the Japanese limited edition.
Believe it or not, the CDs have better sound than the international release.
Believe it or not, the CDs have better sound than the international release.
The video products:
(Not included are a few DVDs. A new pictures was added on 8 Nov 2010.)
An almost guilty pleasure, I have to admit.