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.
The international version.
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 new releases from Altus for his tours in Japan.
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.
Quite an impressive collection Horace! Truly a labor of love on your part. Thanks for sharing.
ReplyDeleteFred
Thank you for your kind words Fred.
ReplyDeleteHorace
not guilty at all! i don't even know there are these recordings ! although i miss the golden era of classical cds, every time i see these collections i'm happy that so much treasure are still kept intact by lovers. The Maestro will be happy.
ReplyDeletei've been once attracted by the first two movs of celi's audior eighth,but when i listen the adagio,i cann't accept it at all. i try in the following two days but still can't get it.
finally i choose a free afternoon,calm down myself,and go to my friend's place listening to it,finally surrendered myself and totally embraced the music...
there's one Kindertotenlieder with Fassbaender, do u think it is authentic ?
i think ur description on previous post is very convincing: "ample space to imagine and search for their own otherworlds" . And i think this is indeed an essential merits of his all music,not only for bruckner. but i'm confused with the description about Zen Buddism since i don't know Buddism at all.Taoism is a description i can understand ,and my experince of reading Dao De Jing and Zhuangzi is helpful.
wish i could see more detailed descriptions about the history of celi's recordings, or celibidache's music...but i should not say "can't wait" again..i didn't know u were busy then >_<
Thank you.
ReplyDeleteI suppose the Kindertotenlieder you mentioned is the one issued by Topazio. I don't have this one and so I can't comment.
I'll try to write a little more on Celi when I have more time.
Horace
Yes,I mean the one by Topazio. Thanks for reply.
ReplyDeleteeaquson from TW.
alas...I envy your collection; especially since I am repeatedly falling in love with Celi's Tchaikovsky 5 these days. All I can get are his EMI collections since I have just begun to listen to classical music a few years ago.
ReplyDeleteI always wondered what Celi's Schubert 8 (if he did one) would sound like?
Schubert "Unfinished" is not included either in the EMI or DG issues. What a pity. I have 4 recordings of this work conducted by Celi: MPO on Meteor, RTSI Orch on Ermitage, RAI Orchs on Fonit Cetra and Archipel.
ReplyDeleteI guess the Archipel CD is still available.
Thank you for bringing my attention once again back to the work conducted by Celi at different stages of his career.
Horace
As these previous comments date from 2010, I don't know if anyone's still around. Regardless, I did come home from the shop today with the 2012 Sony DVD re-release of the Munich PO video performances of Bruckner 6, 7, 8. It's a matter of joy to have these come to DVD after all these years, even if we're all getting used to hi-def, and the picture quality here is merely average by today's eyes. Sonics, well-known from the EMI CD releases, are splendid.
ReplyDeleteFor me, Celi has always been without peer in Bruckner's 6th symphony, and today's listen - the first in a couple of years (I have the CD) - did nothing to diminish that view. If anyone's still checking in here, perhaps we can get the discussion re-ignited.
Hi Jason,
DeleteThanks for your comments.
Celi's recordings are often mesmerising. The recent issues and reissues of his video recordings are true gifts to Celi fans.
Warm regards,
Horace
Hi Horace -
ReplyDeleteOne other performance I revere is the Sibelius 5th with the Danish National Radio Symphony (as I believe the full orchestra title is). IMHO, every facet of that interpretation seems to be exactly on the mark, similar to the Bruckner 6th. (I prefer it to the performance from Sweden, which was issued on DGG, although that one isn't bad either).
Hi Jason,
DeleteThank you for your sharing.
Is it the one issued on Originals SH863? I don't have this one. Hope that it will be reissued sometime by another label.
Warm regards,
Horace
Does anyone have a complete listing of the 11-CD Font-Cetra set, 'The Italian Years'? What is the sound quality quality like? These were, after all, official, not pirate, issues
ReplyDeleteThank you for your visit.
DeleteI'll try to list the music contained in this Fonit Cetra set later when I have time.
Horace