Celibidache

Sergiu Celibidache was a Romanian conductor, composer, and teacher. He is best known for his interpretations of classical music, particularly the works of Anton Bruckner and Johannes Brahms. Celibidache was renowned for his unconventional conducting style, often eschewing a baton and employing fluid, expressive gestures. He also had a reputation for his meticulous preparation and his long rehearsal times, believing that a deep understanding of the score was paramount to achieving a profound performance.

Born in Iași, Romania, Celibidache studied composition and conducting in Bucharest and later in Berlin with Boris Blacher and Walter Gieseking. He began his conducting career in post-war Germany, holding positions with various orchestras, including the Munich Philharmonic, where he served as chief conductor for over two decades. His tenure with the Munich Philharmonic is considered a golden age for the orchestra.

Celibidache was also a dedicated educator and held professorships at several music academies. He was known for his philosophical approach to music, often discussing the spiritual and existential dimensions of performance. He was famously averse to making commercial recordings, believing that the live performance was a unique and ephemeral event that could not be adequately captured by studio technology. This decision meant that much of his vast repertoire was only available through rare live recordings, contributing to his legendary status among those who experienced his concerts. He passed away in 1996.