Likes: I'm just curious, what do you think are his worst performances?Originally Posted by Itullian
I'm just curious, what do you think are his worst performances?
Everything else aside, i think one aspect of his appeal is his "pedigree." He's German, was in Germany all during WWII and after, so he has an innate feeling about Beethoven.
Furtwangler's tempi (the r e a l l y s l o w o n e s) - the 7th Sym, 2nd Movement, Allegretto, for instance, were much about the Zeitgeist of the times in which he lived, I feel. Beethoven can withstand a great deal of personal interpretation and Furty and Toscanini are two excellent examples of conductors who found their separate and very personal paths to Ludwig's deepest thoughts. Just my opinion.
Last edited by NightHawk; Aug-06-2020 at 08:08.
His Beethoven Pastorals are rather an acquired taste, I think. Very grim and spooky - one might easily characterise it as a terrible interpretation if they were out for something more... 'normal'.
One might disagree - the reunification may have been the fulfilment of Schiller's dream, but the 1942 performance represents what Schiller stood for. "oh friends, not these sounds" is the opening cry of the Choral, and much of the poem itself is about universal humanity. Fürtwangler, in his courage in remaining in Nazi Germany and continuing to perform this music, was standing up to the Nazi regime and decrying their horrific rule.
Allegro Con Brio liked this post
Wilhelm Furtwängler was born 135 years ago today.
Simon23 liked this post
Jeez, who dug this crusty old thread outta the TC vaults? For christsakes no-one tell BHS or it'll go on for another year
I need to get some herb tea and lift a cup o' kindness.
Well, Manxfeeder, I'd like to raise a simple cup o' tea to YOU, for even suggesting that Wilhelm F's birthday, even matters anymore. Also, am quite-sure that "Merl" is mistaken, in suggesting that Wilhelm F is part of a "crusty old vault", or a musician/conductor who might not MATTER, anymore. Could we suggest WF's recordings of certain Bruckner Symphonies? I even have a nice assessment of WF, in his recording of the "Pizzicato Polka"/Strauss, once-analyzed by Don Tait.
Manxfeeder liked this post
Chill out '89Koechel'! I have no beef with Furty here (check out my original comment earlier in the thread). It was merely a joke about the age of the original thread. I certainly did not say he didn't MATTER anymore. Apologies if you misconstrued my post and thought otherwise.
Last edited by Merl; Jan-29-2021 at 08:06.
OK, Merl, and I should look at your (and other) posts, more-thoroughly. Hope that you and others will continue to enjoy what Wilhelm F (and his great Berlin Phil, of course, in the age before stereo) accomplished; no doubt, YOU will, and thanks!
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