Beethoven, Ludwig van/Weber, Carl Maria von/Rossini, Gioacchino: Furtwängler - the early recordings vol. 2 (Naxos Historical Audio CD)

Berlin Philharmonic Orchestra
Wilhelm Furtwängler, conductor


Recorded November, 1933 in the Hochschule für Musik, Berlin
Recorded 16th and 30th October, 1926 in Berlin
Recorded May, 1935 in the Hochschule für Musik, Berlin


Volume 2 of the Naxos edition of Wilhelm Furtwängler’s pre-1940s recordings begins with a weighty account of Beethoven’s Egmont Overture followed by a galvanizing performance of the Symphony No. 5, Furtwängler’s first recording of the work. This is presented complete for the first time: a few bars of music went unrecorded during the transition from the first to the second side of the third movement and are replaced here by the inclusion of the corresponding bars from Furtwängler’s 1937 remake with the same orchestra. In the Overture to Weber’s Der Freischütz, Furtwängler’s volatile and ‘free’ conducting is remarkably convincing.

“Furtwängler didn't enjoy recording, but his first recording of Beethoven's Fifth Symphony in 1926, is fresh, invigorating and characteristic, though the sound will deter all but devotees.”
BBC Music Magazine, Proms 2008 *****

“a fine performance, utterly characteristic in its power and malleability, and essential listening for anyone interested in this supremely great conductor.”
Gramophone Magazine