Search - Brahms, Furtwangler :: Brahms: Symphony No. 4; Haydn Variations / Furtwängler

Enveloping

David Saemann | 10/14/2008

(4 out of 5 stars)

"These are early tape recordings from 1942-3. They exhibit a few defects. There is a continuous rumbling sound in the third and fourth movements of the symphony, while the variations at times exhibit a loud hum. The performance of the symphony is a classic. As usual, Furtwangler varies his tempos skillfully, alternately producing moments of contemplation and periods of excitement. Regardless of this, the symphony never lacks for momentum, even though the weight and balance of every chord seems to have been considered. The sound engineering in the symphony has a quite restricted dynamic range, yet the details of the performance all come through quite clearly. The sound is somewhat better in the variations, but I don't like the performance. It is highly episodic, and simply does not cohere. Furtwangler recorded a much better and quite different performance with the Vienna Philharmonic for Decca after the war. Nevertheless, this performance of the symphony demands to be heard."

I think it's very ultimate 4th symphony recording!

Chung-Whun Chung | Seoul, Republic of Korea | 11/05/2000

(5 out of 5 stars)

"These recordings are called 'Wartime recording'. I think its recording condition was very highest ground than others in this period(Subscription Concerts of Berliner Philharmoniker are recorded magnetic tapes by Reichsrundfunk Berlin since circa 1942.). Brahms' 4th symphony(12-15 December 1942 in Berlin) is very superior recording conducted by Furtwangler. In the first movement, we'll heard lament of Furtwangler's heart in famous violin passages. Second movement's nostalgic atmosphere and last movement's very powerful development are excellent, too. So, I think these recordings has ultimate value even though its poor recording quality."