Various: Celibidache: You Don't Do Anything (Arthaus DVD)

A Jan Schmidt-Garre Film

A feature length portrait of conductor Sergiu Celibidache, a phenomenon in the world of classical music. Four years in the making, director Jan Schmidt-Garre collaborated closely with the charismatic musical director of the Munich Philharmonic, and the result is an exceptional look at an artistic and intellectual giant, as well as a passionate journey into the creative process.

Sergiu Celibidache (*1912 Roman/Romania – 1996 Paris) studied Music, Mathematics and Philosophy in Berlin. From 1945, he was principal conductor of the Berlin Philharmonic until the return of Wilhelm Furtwängler. He guest conducted in Israel, Italy, South America, France, England, Scandinavia, Germany and Japan, until 1979 when he became general musical director of the Munich Philharmonic.

Having himself written numerous compositions, Celibidache also taught Phenomenology of Music at various universities.


“The film is like his cause: without provenance, committed only to the moment, thoughtful, disturbing, provocative.”
Andreas Obst, Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung

“A lovingly and sensitively produced documentary – a must for any music lover.”
Regina Leistner, Berliner Morgenpost

“Schmidt-Garre succeeds in getting under the skin of the conductor, while keeping a respectful distance at all times. A documentary that is both stimulating and informative – in the best sense of the word.”
Jürgen Seeger, Bayerischer Rundfunk

Nominated for the German Film Prize, Silver Medal at the Chicago International Film Festival