Furtwangler - Legendaires concerts d'apres-guerre

Here, Tahra gathers Wilhelm Furtwängler's best postwar concert performances in a handsome four-disc set shaped like an elegant book and refurbishes the sound. These 1951 to 1954 performances exemplify Furtwängler's art at its best. Sonics are superior to their previous releases, with expanded dynamics, reduced noise, and much more orchestral detail. But they're in mono sound derived from sometimes flawed sources, so don't expect stereo heaven. Furtwängler buffs will always argue about which performance of his staple repertory pieces was the best. Such debates are not always irrelevant nitpicking, since Furtwängler was the most spontaneous of conductors, constantly making fresh interpretive choices. The Lucerne Beethoven Ninth lacks the unique balance of the famous 1951 Bayreuth Ninth, but it's an excellent performance with a moving Adagio. The other Beethoven works are clear-cut choices, searing intensity matched with humane, spiritual values. The Eroica's Funeral March movement may never have been done better–by anybody. The fourth disc, devoted to superb Brahms readings, has the worst sound but is never less than listenable. Even those who own Tahra's previous issues of these works will find it hard to resist the new set, with its refurbished sonics. –Dan Davis –From Amazon.com–


Concert I

1. Sym No.3 in E flat, Op.55 'Eroica': Allegro Con Brio
2. Sym No.3 in E flat, Op.55 'Eroica': Marcia Funebre (Adagio Assai)
3. Sym No.3 in E flat, Op.55 'Eroica': Scherzo (Allegro Vivace) - Trio
4. Sym No.3 in E flat, Op.55 'Eroica': Finale (Allegro Molto - Poco Andante - Presto)


Concert II

1. Sym No.6 in F, Op.68 'Pastorale': Allegro Ma Non Troppo
2. Sym No.6 in F, Op.68 'Pastorale': Andante Molto Mosso
3. Sym No.6 in F, Op.68 'Pastorale': Allegro
4. Sym No.6 in F, Op.68 'Pastorale': Allegro (L'Orage)
5. Sym No.6 in F, Op.68 'Pastorale': Allegretto
6. Sym No.5 in c, Op.67: Allegro Con Brio
7. Sym No.5 in c, Op.67: Andante Con Moto - Piu Mosso
8. Sym No.5 in c, Op.67: Allegro
9. Sym No.5 in c, Op.67: Allegro - Presto


Concert III

1. Sym No.9 in d, Op.125 'Chorale': Allegro Ma Non Troppo - Un Poco Maestoso
2. Sym No.9 in d, Op.125 'Chorale': Molto Vivace - Presto - Molto Vivace
3. Sym No.9 in d, Op.125 'Chorale': Adagio Molto E Cantabile - Andante Moderato
4. Sym No.9 in d, Op.125 'Chorale': Presto
5. Sym No.9 in d, Op.125 'Chorale': Allegro Assai
6. Sym No.9 in d, Op.125 'Chorale': Allegro Assai Vivace - Alla Marcia
7. Sym No.9 in d, Op.125 'Chorale': Andante Maestoso - Allegro Energico - Prestissimo


Concert IV

1. Vars Sur Un Theme De Haydn, Op.56a: Choral: Andante
2. Vars Sur Un Theme De Haydn, Op.56a: Var I
3. Vars Sur Un Theme De Haydn, Op.56a: Var II (Piu Vivace)
4. Vars Sur Un Theme De Haydn, Op.56a: Var III (Con Moto)
5. Vars Sur Un Theme De Haydn, Op.56a: Var IV (Andante)
6. Vars Sur Un Theme De Haydn, Op.56a: Var V (Vivace)
7. Vars Sur Un Theme De Haydn, Op.56a: Var VI (Vivace)
8. Vars Sur Un Theme De Haydn, Op.56a: Var VII (Grazioso)
9. Vars Sur Un Theme De Haydn, Op.56a: Var VIII (Presto)
10. Vars Sur Un Theme De Haydn, Op.56a: Finale: Andante
11. Sym No.1 in e, Op.68: Un Poco Sostenuto - Allegro
12. Sym No.1 in e, Op.68: Andante Sostenuto
13. Sym No.1 in e, Op.68: Un Poco Allegretto E Grazioso
14. Sym No.1 in e, Op.68: Adagio Piu Andante - Allegro Non Troppo Ma Con Brio - Piu Allegro