Wilhelm Furtwängler

The digital transfers are blessedly unobtrusive, as is any noise ameliorating processing. Instead, there’s a fluidity, life and natural sense of expression in the playing, helped no doubt by the rhythmic authority delivered by the mono recording. Those expecting the rumble of Soviet artillery or the drone of allied bombers are going to be disappointed. Instead, you get the passion and intensity in the playing that reflects the heightened emotions and tensions of a wartime existence.

This marvellous set neither glamorises nor lionises the events and performers it captures. Instead it celebrates the triumph of art over circumstance, the timeless nature of music and great performances of that music. Historically, Furtwängler is as divisive as he was misunderstood, although few if any question his musical greatness or significance. Listening to this set, you can fully understand why.

A limited edition of around 1850 pieces I’d strongly recommend getting it while you can. Musically important, beautifully executed and, after all, it IS almost Christmas!

 

Track Listing

Black text – Performances pressed on LP

Mauve text – Performances available to download

 

Wilhelm Furtwängler
Symphonic Concerto
 
George Frideric Handel
Concerto grosso, op. 6 no. 5
Ludwig van Beethoven

Symphony No. 5

 

Richard Strauss
Verführung · Waldseligkeit · Liebeshymnus · Winterliebe
Don Juan
 
Richard Wagner
Die Meistersinger von Nürnberg: Prelude

 

Robert Schumann
Piano Concerto
Ludwig van Beethoven
Symphony No. 7
 
Ludwig van Beethoven
Symphony No. 9

Christoph Willibald Gluck
Alceste: Overture
Robert Schumann
Cello Concerto
Anton Bruckner
Symphony No. 5

Johannes Brahms
Piano Concerto No. 2
Richard Wagner
Tristan und Isolde: Vorspiel & Liebestod

Heinz Schubert
Hymnic Concerto
Franz Schubert
Symphony No. 8 “Die Große”
 
Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart
Symphony No. 39
 
Jean Sibelius
En saga
Violin Concerto

Ludwig van Beethoven
Symphony No. 4 (without audience)
Symphony No. 4 (with audience)
Coriolan, Overture
Symphony No. 5

Ernst Pepping
Symphony No. 2
Ludwig van Beethoven
Piano Concerto No. 4

Anton Bruckner
Symphony No. 6 (incomplete)
Robert Schumann
Cello Concerto (incomplete)
Richard Strauss
Till Eulenspiegels lustige Streiche

Johannes Brahms
Variations on a Theme by Haydn
Piano Concerto No. 2
Symphony No. 4
 
Ludwig van Beethoven
Violin Concerto
Richard Strauss
Symphonia domestica

George Frideric Handel
Concerto grosso, op. 6 no. 10
Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart
Symphony No. 39

Carl Maria von Weber
Der Freischütz: Overture
Maurice Ravel
Daphnis et Chloé, Suite No. 1 (incomplete)
Daphnis et Chloé, Suite No. 2
Ludwig van Beethoven
Symphony No. 6 “Pastorale”

Anton Bruckner
Symphony No. 9

Franz Schubert
Symphony No. 7 “Unvollendete”

Johannes Brahms
Symphony No. 1:
4. Adagio – Allegro non troppo, ma con brio

Bonus
Interview with Friedrich Schnapp and surviving members of the BPO