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The Munich Philharmonic and Sergiu Celibidache share an exceptional legacy. He started his work as principal conductor in 1979 and remained in this position for as long as 17 years. Sergiu Celibidache played an integral part in making the Munich Philharmonic what it is today: an orchestra of worldwide renown. On its MPHIL label, the Munich Philharmonic is opening up its vast archives, giving listeners the opportunity to enjoy one of the richest collections of recordings by legendary artists. Because of the Celibidache era and its part in forming the core essence of the orchestra, the MPHIL label has placed a particular focus on archive recordings under the baton of Sergiu Celibidache. In spring 2022, it is a recording with Sergiu Celibidache with the Symphony No. in E-Flat Major Op. 82 by Jean Sibelius from 1988 as well as Igor Strawinsky‘s "The Firebird" from 1982. In Sibelius 5th Symphony, Thor swings his hammer, and the listener can feel cosmic forces at work in this music, something on which Sibelius himself commented when writing in 1914: “God opens the door for a moment and his orchestra is playing the Fifth Symphony.” In this recording, Celibidache galvanizes the Munich Philharmonic in an interpretation of tremendous power and vision, Stravinsky’s Firebird Suite is an opulent fairy tale. What makes this a great listening experience, is Celibidache’s extraordinary understanding of the rhythmic dances that pulse throughout this score and the folkish elements that are spontaneously mastered.