Sergiu Celibidache, the celebrated Romanian conductor and composer, was honored today ( June 28 ) by Google, with a special logo (or Google Doodle). Today's Doodle reminds users that it is the 100th anniversary of the composer's birth and links to a Wikipedia page on Celibidache.

Currently, the Sergiu Celibidache 100 festival is running here in Romania. The festival started on May 3 and continues until July 7, celebrating the 100th anniversary of the birth of the famous Romanian conductor with a series of concerts and events.

Sergiu Celibidache, born in county Neamt, on June 28 1912, had a career closely linked with Germany, where he trained and met his greatest success as a conductor and composer. He led the Berlin Philharmonic Orchestra and the Stuttgart Radio Orchestra. He also led the National Orchestra of Paris and Stockholm Radio Symphony Orchestra. In 1979 he took up a position as general musical director for Munich and permanent conductor of the city's Philharmonic Orchestra. Under his leadership, the Munich Philharmonic became one of the premier symphony orchestras in the world.

Recordings of concerts conducted by Sergiu Celibidache are very rare, he refused to be recorded on many occasions and considered records as "singing pancakes.” Celibidache believed that the concert hall was the right place to enjoy his music and that audiences should share the place where "music is born." For 40 years there were no records of his concerts. After his death, however, CDs and videos appeared, allowing Celibidache to reach younger generations.

Ioana Toader, ioana.toader@romania-insider.com