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Toscanini or Furtwangler?

post #1 of 2
7/30/09 at 2:22pm
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Which of these two conductors do you prefer?
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post #2 of 2
7/30/09 at 7:36pm
These two are polar opposites. Toscanini so into precision, rhythmic drive, passion. Furtwangler more into vast architectural, almost cosmic visions -- accuracy and precision be damned. And both were so important and still are, I guess. They had similar tastes in music, and neither was particularly interested in 20th century music. If I had to choose one it would have to be Furtwangler. His Tristan und Isolde is enough to convince me of his greatness. But there are so many recordings, mostly live, that everyone should hear. Brahms 1 - 4, Beethoven (all of it), Tchaikovsky 6th.

And then there's Toscanini that everyone should hear: Brahms 1 - 4, Beethoven (all of it), Tchaikovsky 6th. So different from WF but so essential. I would not want to be without Toscanini's New World, Tchaikovsky Manfred, or La Boheme.

As great as these two titans were, it must also be said that there are many fine conductors today who are every bit their equal technically and even musically. Since they died some 50 years ago, we've had many Beethoven cycles that are every bit as satisfying and makes me think "Gee, what was all the fuss about?" Maybe WF & AT weren't all that great after all. I'll take Mackerras' Brahms any day over these two. Still, they led the way for most of the 20th c. and their personal friendships with many of the composers certainly gives them a stamp of authority that's hard to dismiss.
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