Search - Furtwangler, Beethoven :: Furtwangler Conducts Beethoven

Incredible

James D. Ahrens | Minneapolis, MN USA | 10/31/2003

(5 out of 5 stars)

"This March, 1942 performance by Furtwangler and the BPO is unparallelled. Words cannot describe the ferocity and the passion of this recording. Knowing the time, the place, and who was probably in the audience casts a unique light on the piece. It's as if Furtwangler and the performers were fully aware of the irony involved in performing this ode to humanity in one of the most inhumane places and times that ever existed. The anger that fuels this performance must be a response to that irony.The orchestra is like a wild animal on this recording, at once goaded and checked by Furtwangler's baton. The chorus is wonderful and the soloists, particularly tenor Peter Anders, are marvelous.This is not a performance to listen to very often -- it's too powerful for that. And it's not pretty, although the third movement provides the necessary beautiful respite before the storm of the fourth movement. But it is irreplaceable... unmatchable...undeniable. One of the most powerful audio documents in existance.You must hear this recording."

Earthshaking

Ryan Kouroukis | Toronto, Ontario Canada | 04/01/2004

(5 out of 5 stars)

"After listening to Furtwangler's wartime 9th, I finally understood the meaning of Beethoven's words in the final movement "Friends, no more of these sounds...""