Immerse yourself in the legendary performances of Wilhelm Furtwängler with this captivating collection from the Lucerne Festival. This album showcases the maestro's extraordinary conducting prowess and his deep musical insights, captured in live recordings that span a range of classical masterpieces. Featuring the renowned Lucerne Festival Orchestra and esteemed soloists like Yehudi Menuhin, the album presents a rich tapestry of compositions by Beethoven, Brahms, Wagner, and more.
From the powerful symphonies of Beethoven, including the iconic "Eroica" and the dramatic "Symphony No. 1 in C Minor," to the lyrical beauty of Brahms' "Piano Concerto No. 1" and the ethereal "Violin Concerto in D Major," this collection offers a comprehensive journey through some of the most celebrated works in the classical repertoire. The inclusion of Wagner's operatic excerpts, such as the Prelude from "Lohengrin," adds a touch of dramatic grandeur, highlighting Furtwängler's mastery of both symphonic and operatic works.
Recorded between the 1940s and 1950s, these performances are a testament to Furtwängler's ability to evoke profound emotional depth and structural clarity. The sound quality, remarkable for its time, allows listeners to experience the intensity and subtlety of Furtwängler's interpretations. Whether you're a seasoned classical enthusiast or a newcomer to the genre, this album provides an unparalleled opportunity to appreciate the genius of one of the 20th century's most revered conductors.
2012 Music and Arts Programs of America2012 (P) Music and Arts Programs of America
Tracks
Piano Concerto No. 1 in C Major, Op. 15: I. Allegro con brioLudwig van Beethoven, Adrian Aeschbacher, Lucerne Festival Orchestra, Wilhelm Furtwängler
Piano Concerto No. 1 in C Major, Op. 15: II. LargoLudwig van Beethoven, Adrian Aeschbacher, Lucerne Festival Orchestra, Wilhelm Furtwängler
Piano Concerto No. 1 in C Major, Op. 15: III. Rondo. AllegroLudwig van Beethoven, Adrian Aeschbacher, Lucerne Festival Orchestra, Wilhelm Furtwängler
Concerto for Violin & Cello in A Minor, Op. 102: I. AllegroJohannes Brahms, Wolfgang Schneiderhan, Enrico Mainardi, Lucerne Festival Orchestra, Wilhelm Furtwängler
Concerto for Violin & Cello in A Minor, Op. 102: II. AndanteJohannes Brahms, Wolfgang Schneiderhan, Enrico Mainardi, Lucerne Festival Orchestra, Wilhelm Furtwängler
Concerto for Violin & Cello in A Minor, Op. 102: III. Vivace ma non troppoJohannes Brahms, Wolfgang Schneiderhan, Enrico Mainardi, Lucerne Festival Orchestra, Wilhelm Furtwängler
Symphony No. 1 in C Minor, Op. 68: I. Un poco sostenuto - AllegroJohannes Brahms, Lucerne Festival Orchestra, Wilhelm Furtwängler
Symphony No. 1 in C Minor, Op. 68: II. Andante sostenutoJohannes Brahms, Lucerne Festival Orchestra, Wilhelm Furtwängler
Symphony No. 1 in C Minor, Op. 68: III. Un poco allegretto e graziosoJohannes Brahms, Lucerne Festival Orchestra, Wilhelm Furtwängler
Symphony No. 1 in C Minor, Op. 68: IV. Adagio - Più andante - Allegro non troppo ma con brioJohannes Brahms, Lucerne Festival Orchestra, Wilhelm Furtwängler
Symphony No. 4 in D Minor, Op. 120: I. Ziemlich langsam - Lebhaft (1851 Revised Version)Robert Schumann, Lucerne Festival Orchestra, Wilhelm Furtwängler
Symphony No. 4 in D Minor, Op. 120: II. Romanze. Ziemlich langsam (1851 Revised Version)Robert Schumann, Lucerne Festival Orchestra, Wilhelm Furtwängler
Symphony No. 4 in D Minor, Op. 120: III. Scherzo. Lebhaft (1851 Revised Version)Robert Schumann, Lucerne Festival Orchestra, Wilhelm Furtwängler
Symphony No. 4 in D Minor, Op. 120: IV. Langsam - Lebhaft (1851 Revised Version)Robert Schumann, Lucerne Festival Orchestra, Wilhelm Furtwängler
Symphony No. 3 in E-Flat Major, Op. 55 "Eroica": I. Allegro con brioLudwig van Beethoven, Lucerne Festival Orchestra, Wilhelm Furtwängler
Symphony No. 3 in E-Flat Major, Op. 55 "Eroica": II. Marcia funebre: Adagio assaiLudwig van Beethoven, Lucerne Festival Orchestra, Wilhelm Furtwängler
Symphony No. 3 in E-Flat Major, Op. 55 "Eroica": III. Scherzo. Allegro vivaceLudwig van Beethoven, Lucerne Festival Orchestra, Wilhelm Furtwängler
Symphony No. 3 in E-Flat Major, Op. 55 "Eroica": IV. Finale. Allegro moltoLudwig van Beethoven, Lucerne Festival Orchestra, Wilhelm Furtwängler
Lohengrin, Act III, Lohengrin, Act I: PreludeRichard Wagner, Lucerne Festival Orchestra, Wilhelm Furtwängler
Symphony No. 7 in A Major, Op. 92: II. Allegretto (rehearsal excerpts)Ludwig van Beethoven, Lucerne Festival Orchestra, Wilhelm Furtwängler
Leonore Overture No. 3, Op. 72bLudwig van Beethoven, Lucerne Festival Orchestra, Wilhelm Furtwängler
Violin Concerto in D Major, Op. 61: I. Allegro ma non troppo (Cadenza by F. Kreisler)Ludwig van Beethoven, Yehudi Menuhin, Lucerne Festival Orchestra, Wilhelm Furtwängler
Violin Concerto in D Major, Op. 61: II. Larghetto (Cadenza by F. Kreisler)Ludwig van Beethoven, Yehudi Menuhin, Lucerne Festival Orchestra, Wilhelm Furtwängler
Violin Concerto in D Major, Op. 61: III. Rondo. Allegro (Cadenza by F. Kreisler)Ludwig van Beethoven, Yehudi Menuhin, Lucerne Festival Orchestra, Wilhelm Furtwängler