Ludwig van Beethoven; Johannes Brahms - Wilhelm Furtwängler live in Amsterdam 13.07.1950

Information

Composer: Ludwig van Beethoven; Johannes Brahms

• Beethoven - Symphony No. 1 in C Major, Op. 21
• Beethoven - Leonore Overture No. 3, Op. 72a
• Brahms - Symphony No. 1 in C Minor, Op. 68

Concertgebouw Orchestra Amsterdam

Wilhelm Furtwängler, conductor

Date: 1947 / 2025

Label: Archipel

_____________________

Wilhelm Furtwängler (1886–1954) was a renowned German conductor, known for his deeply personal interpretations and devotion to the German artistic tradition. Though he saw himself primarily as a composer, his fame came from conducting, notably works by Beethoven. He held top posts with major orchestras, including the Berlin Philharmonic and Staatskapelle Berlin. Furtwängler's conducting style emphasized expressive re-interpretation over strict adherence to tradition. During the Nazi era, he remained in Germany, resisting Nazi ideology while being exploited by the regime for propaganda. His Second Symphony, composed in exile in Switzerland (1945–46), remains his most recognized original work.