Search - Anton Bruckner, Recorded Sound, Sergiu Celibidache :: Bruckner: Symphonies Nos. 3-9; Mass in F minor; Te Deum [Box Set]

Bruckner as cosmic spirituality

R. Hutchinson | a world ruled by fossil fuels and fossil minds | 07/05/2006

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Sergiu Celibidache's Bruckner is like no other. Some want no part of it, to them it is just wrong. True, in his quest to find the heart of the music, Celi often slowed the tempo, and this could be extreme. Celibidache was a follower of Furtwangler in believing in the organic experience of live performance over the recording studio, and he also followed Furtwangler in viewing a composition as a living whole, and in seeing tempo as flexible, at the service of the whole rather than dictating it.



Celi led the Munich Philharmonic for 13 years, from 1982 to 1995, and the live Bruckner performances collected here span that entire range, selected as some of the best of a large number of recordings. After reading Celi's 8th called "the single best recording of anything ever made," I decided to see what could possibly attract that level of praise. What I found was practically unbelievable in its sound quality, power, and spiritual effect. (I find it fascinating that Celibidache and his Zen connected so strongly with the devout Catholic Bruckner -- there is a basic spirituality that transcends the particulars of doctrine.) The next of these recordings I heard was the 4th, and it too captured something out of the ordinary. So I took the leap and bought this entire set, thinking I might kick myself if it went out-of-print before I could decide.



Over this time of hearing more and more of Celi's Bruckner, I have heard other versions of Bruckner as well. Jochum, Wand, Harnoncourt, Bohm's 4th, Sinopoli's 5th, Klemperer and Gielen's 6ths, Boulez and Gielen's 8ths, -- there are many superb recordings. I wouldn't recommend Celi's Bruckner as the ONLY Bruckner. But if you haven't heard it, you are missing something spectacular.



Few, I suspect, will take the word of a few potentially demented reviewers, in the face of much hostile opposition. So I suggest you try my approach -- sample the 8th first. If you are unmoved, so be it. But if it has the same effect on you it has on me, I'm warning you that this set may be next...



A word on the package -- it's not a proper box, it includes 8 jewel cases, 4 of them 2-disc slimlines, for 12 discs in all. So it's quite a monster!"

Unique, seperated league

Erez Katz | CA, USA | 04/13/2008

(5 out of 5 stars)

"I bought this set in parts. I simply got hooked.

The approach is usually different and unqique, more calculated , deliberated and original. Some would like it, some would not.



I have yet to hear such a dramatic recording of the 9th, no other conductor was able to create that almost spiritual atmosphere (and I have as well Wand, Giulini, Solti, Bernstein the list goes on, they are all very good - this one is excellent).



The 3rd...oh my oh my... he just takes the orchestra to places where no other conductor goes.

Even the almost over-popular 4th, which orchestras can play by heart (and it is sometimes apparent in recordings) is fresh and dynamic. (Klemperer's with Philharmonia is the only one I really like besides this one).



The only other conductor that I feel "really gets" Bruckner would be Furthwangler. I know I am stepping on some sensitive toes here, but these two are the only one I find truly convincing.



P.S.

If you like Karajan or Karajan's Bruckner recordings, stay clear of this set. For most part, I share Celibedache's opinion of Karajan...



"

Legendary. The most important issue of all time

Codeluppi Alessandro | 02/16/2009

(5 out of 5 stars)

"A spiritual experience to live with. Thanks to Serge Ioan Celibidachi,to his mother and to Emi for making more beautiful the life of those who can understand this art. Danke Celi!"