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Celi ''Conducts''

Ekrem Ayyildiz | istanbul,turkey | 07/10/2006

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Celibidache(1912-1996) was one of the greatest Brucknerian in the second half of 20'th Century(Others: Jochum, Karajan, Giulini, Wand, Böhm, Solti and later Haitink). As an assistant of legendary Furtwaengler(with Berliner Philharmoniker;from 1945 to 1954), generaly he preffered slow tempi and Verdi's Messa da Requiem was not exception for him. I think this is the longest account in recording history(about 102 minutes;15-20 min.longer than usual) ; but you'll not feel as slow. Because this great orchestra(Münchner Philharmoniker) was really magnificient under the powerfull authority of Celi. Mystic, intense and emotional reading, very well soloists, splendid chorus and also superb digital recording/DDD (1993,Live). For me this masterpiece is not as essential as Mozart's and Brahms's requiems but I bought almost all important recordings such as by Giulini, Karajan, Reiner and Solti. If you want a non-operatic version or a not-to-be-missed recording and if you are a lover of Verdi or Celibidache or this work, you must buy this one. If you have not a sample of this work, go to Giulini (with Philharmonia,1963,EMI-Great Recordings of the Century,ADD) or Karajan (with Wiener Philharmoniker,1985,DG-Karajan Gold,DDD) and later buy this CD for comparison. If price is important for you and if you want only one superb interpretation, this CD is for you. Trust me.

I also bought almost all Celi recordings on EMI and his Bruckner and Brahms recordings on DG(ofcourse all are live). I recommend his magnificient Bruckner set (Symphonies Nos 3-9,Great Mass No.3 and Te Deum,ADD&DDD - A must for every Brucknerian,like me), and also Tchaikovsky(only Symphony No.5 and Romeo&Juliet,DDD), Rossini(overtures,ADD-DDD) with Münchner Philharmoniker on EMI, Schubert(No.8'Unfinishhed') with RTSI Orchestra,1964-historical recording: All are great or special... But I am not satisfied with his Beethoven, Mozart, Brahms, Mussorgsky, Korsakov, Tchaikovsky(Symphony No.4, Nutcracker Suite & Piano Concerto No.1 with Barenboim) and etc.: In my opinion these are not so good, essential, special or great."