'Furwangler's final wartime concert in Berlin. It would be two and a half years before he made music in Berlin again. It stands not only as the most exacting, extraordinary performance of a piece of symphonic music by Brahms, but one of the most thrilling orchestral recordings in existence. It is a rare combination of supreme impetuosity, imagination, and control - an unforgettable instance of a score, an ensemble, and a conductor fused into a single expressive entity. It is impossible to hear it without imagining some of the rage and helplessness that Furtwangler must have felt during the final months before Germany's collapse, when all he had known and loved was crumbling about him. Even after repeated playings, this performance leaves one feverish, as well as crushed by the knowledge that the remaining three movements were either not recorded or have not survived.' John Ardoin, The Furwangler Record, 1994
Even in mono sound, this is as good as it gets. Wilhelm Furtwângler was one of the great conductors of the twentieth century without a doubt. The drama and power of this fourth movement of the Brahms fourth symphony is unparalleled. He gave the music real "soul".
I am not a fan of Brahms at all. But I have to say: the sincerity of Furtwänglers approach impresses me. Like always with him he has a deep understanding of the structure, the flow, the dramaturgy of a piece and a marvellous ability to transfer his ideas via the orchestra to the listener. Every measure, every note has a meaning. Everything counts. Just incredible intense. Thank you for sharing!
Furtwangler gives meaning to the symphony, it isn't just music, it's a great ongoing drama. The rest's breathe with the life from the notes that went before it. There's a tumbling of energy from one note to the next, all making perfect, thrilling sense. This performance is the mind and soul of Brahms as he conceived it.
Astonishing! I've never heard another performance even come close to the perfection of timing, pacing and phrasing of this one: EVERYTHING makes complete sense!
Fans of Furtwängler will doubtless find this performance thrilling--though hardly surprising; those unfamiliar with his art will likely be converted by the maestro's intense dedication to exploring the score's innigkeit in every measure.
I have it as an ‘extra’ in a set of the Brahms Symphonies with Furtwangler from later performances - not sure of the label, offhand (perhaps Music & Arts?)
'Furwangler's final wartime concert in Berlin. It would be two and a half years before he made music in Berlin again. It stands not only as the most exacting, extraordinary performance of a piece of symphonic music by Brahms, but one of the most thrilling orchestral recordings in existence. It is a rare combination of supreme impetuosity, imagination, and control - an unforgettable instance of a score, an ensemble, and a conductor fused into a single expressive entity. It is impossible to hear it without imagining some of the rage and helplessness that Furtwangler must have felt during the final months before Germany's collapse, when all he had known and loved was crumbling about him. Even after repeated playings, this performance leaves one feverish, as well as crushed by the knowledge that the remaining three movements were either not recorded or have not survived.'
John Ardoin, The Furwangler Record, 1994
Even in mono sound, this is as good as it gets. Wilhelm Furtwângler was one of the great conductors of the twentieth century without a doubt. The drama and power of this fourth movement of the Brahms fourth symphony is unparalleled. He gave the music real "soul".
I am not a fan of Brahms at all. But I have to say: the sincerity of Furtwänglers approach impresses me. Like always with him he has a deep understanding of the structure, the flow, the dramaturgy of a piece and a marvellous ability to transfer his ideas via the orchestra to the listener.
Every measure, every note has a meaning. Everything counts. Just incredible intense. Thank you for sharing!
Furtwangler gives meaning to the symphony, it isn't just music, it's a great ongoing drama. The rest's breathe with the life from the notes that went before it. There's a tumbling of energy from one note to the next, all making perfect, thrilling sense. This performance is the mind and soul of Brahms as he conceived it.
A historic audio document of invaluable worth. Nevertheless a shame that only the last movement was recorded.
Thank you for the upload!
Astonishing! I've never heard another performance even come close to the perfection of timing, pacing and phrasing of this one: EVERYTHING makes complete sense!
Fans of Furtwängler will doubtless find this performance thrilling--though hardly surprising; those unfamiliar with his art will likely be converted by the maestro's intense dedication to exploring the score's innigkeit in every measure.
1988年のNHK-FMを思い出しました。
あれは衝撃的だったなぁ。
ありがとうございます。著作権がありますので音楽のみですが、放送での桧山浩介さんのお話にも興奮しました。当時はまだソ連や東ドイツが存在していた時代です。
@@tarousroom2086 私はこの年からクラシック音楽を聴き始めた初心者でしたが、モーツァルトの40番やペピングの交響曲第2番など、古い録音にも関わらず「すごいものを聞いている」という感覚で満たされた時間でした。
Un gigante de la direccion en el preludio del fin de una gigantesca burla a la democracia y a la humanidad
This is dark and wonderful - is it possible to buy this recording on CD or vinyl?
I have it as an ‘extra’ in a set of the Brahms Symphonies with Furtwangler from later performances - not sure of the label, offhand (perhaps Music & Arts?)