Brahms: Symphony No. 1 / Haydn Variations

Furtwängler, Wilhelm, Wiener Philharmoniker

8.110998

Wilhelm Furtwangler was regarded as the leading Brahms interpreter of his generation, but such a self-indulgent approach to the first movement of the first symphony, with its ponderous tempos and rhythmic liberties would be derided by critics in today's concert hall. There are many performances on disc that, even with the added inclusion of the repeat, come under Furtwangler's timing.
The end to the second movement is dragged out, while the third is genial rather than energetic. Only the finale would meet today's expectations, and though the performance has breadth and nobility, side breaks in the original 78's created a sense of short musical paragraphs. The Vienna orchestra in 1947 was in remarkably good condition so soon after the end of the war, the woodwind particularly beautiful.
The Haydn Variations recorded two years later is more straightforward in approach, the emphasis again on geniality, the faster variations played with a lightweight approach that fits the music well. For its years the sound is remarkably and the transfers have been skilfully made. So the bottom line is your desire to find out how the 19th century Germanic tradition was fortunate to continue through to the second half of the 20th century in Furtwangler's safe keeping. • David Denton, David's Review Corner, June 2007

CD x 1

Furtwängler; Wilhelm ,

Naxos

6/4/07

636943199824