Celibidache Conducts Prokofiev Symphony No. 5 Strauss Death and Transfiguration

The conductor Sergiu Celibidache was a legend in his own lifetime, mesmerising orchestras with his intensity and brilliance, both in rehearsals and in performances - which were always conducted from memory. Prokofiev's most important wartime composition, conceived as a symphony of the grandeur of the human spirit, is paired with Strauss's poetic depiction of death and transfiguration. The Celibidache Symphonic Series celebrates the historic release on DVD of rare footage of the few performances ever recorded for television. Celibidache conducting Prokofiev's Symphony no. 5 and Strauss's Death and Transfiguration with the Orchestra Sinfonica di Torino della RAI in this 1969 Turin recording. RAI's historic black and white master is faithfully restored for this release, with digitally re-mastered 2-track mono. Press Reviews "...Celibidache foregoes the work's usual sweet, playful charm for a different kind of 'classical' grace, serious yet light, and suffused with nobility. In the process he conjures inner voices and intricate rhythms that emerge with both extraordinary delicacy and convincing power... While transitions are continuous and smooth, Celi creates a kaleidoscope of shifting colours that we don’t often associate with Prokofiev." (classicnotes.net) "Celibidache makes the most of Prokofiev's balletic moments, and has a keen sense of pacing and balance in Strauss. The sound could be more opulent, both from the orchestra, and as recorded. " (BBC Music Magazine ???) Orchestra Sinfonica di Torino della RAI; Sergiu Celibidache ProductionCompany: RAI Disc InformationCatalogue Number: OA0979DDate of Performance: 1970-71Running Time: 77 minutesSound: LPCM MonoAspect Ratio: 4:3Label: Opus Arte