"The Complete Furtwangler" -- 55 discs

[Soundhappy]

Just released -- in the UK, not the US. This will be interesting to hear.
Stateside we mostly think of Furtwangler and Wagner, but reviews suggest he was also a complete Mozarteian.

I walk in the town today and visit la Fnac records shop.
Get in my hands this new Furtwängler box haha
This is a heavy plenty of CD's and most of all records was made in 40~ 50's.
Promotion price actually in France is 118 € fnac.com

 

[Soundhappy]

Records from 20~30 's as well, remaster in high definition from old tapes was made by ART & SON Studio in Annecy France

 

[billshurv]

They use EMT turntables so get a thumbs up from me. Will be interesting to see how much restoration they have done.

 

[Soundhappy]

Yes from the tapes and bunch of them are from "the best sources available " = 78 speed grammophone discs

 

[system7]

"Wilhelm Furtwangler, a musical Titan..."

Didn't the Titanic sink?

I can save us all a bit of time here.

With Wagner, it's not over til the fat lady sings.

 

[Soundhappy]

..Will be interesting to see how much restoration they have done.

Delicate task and is an art of compromises..
I get restored analogue recordings from the 60's directly transfered to 24 bit -192 kHz in SACD aka Super Audio CD format.
They sound surprisely nice smooth and I can play them in high resolution because my player have 24/192 DAC inside.
It's work for me better that way if compared with sound of old CD player from 1990

 

[Soundhappy]

This will be interesting to hear.

I play Constantin Silvestri records this evening,
fabulous Druid conductor of alchemist's musicians orchestras.
This CD's box is a long time mélomane joy Kind regards

 

[Soundhappy]

Update Review: Fifty-Four Fallible Furtwängler CDs - YouTube

 

[system7]

Ha Ha! Loved it! David Hurwitz reviews.

"Can we talk, just the two of us?"

I leaned forward, he leaned forward.

Seems I'm not the only one who detests Bruckner either.

No spoilers I suppose. But you'll make your mind up.

I always used to buy the Gramophone Magazine records of the year. Played most of them again and again. That's the way.

 

[jackinnj]

As a student in NYC, my friends and i had the opportunity of going to the NY Phil or Met Opera for $3. Bruckner was not on the rotation, even though the subway was only $0.25.

At that time and for many years afterward I would purchase the HFNRR and Gramophone magazines at Hotalings Magazine Stand, right on 42nd street. It succumbed to a wave of gentrification. Stereophile does not do a very good job, and reviews of live classical music are a rarity (unless the production is making a portentous political or social statement).

 

[boswald]

Hurwitz is a funny man! Sit-down comedy, if you will.

 

[mordikai]

I just discovered his YouTube last week, what a great discovery!

 

[Soundhappy]

UE Mahler Interviews: Herbert Blomstedt on Vimeo

Maestro

 

[Soundhappy]

Fund-Raising Teaser for Furtwangler Documentary on Vimeo

We can listen and see in this video Furtwängler compared with "modern" Abado record.

Beethoven - Symphony No.9 - Furtwangler, WPO (live 1953) on Vimeo

 

[system7]

Thought I'd catch up on this Years Gramophone awards. Hope it's useful to you too, since we were talking about it.

Introducing the Awards 2021 issue of Gramophone | Gramophone

2 hours of Gramophone Awards just out. Great show which you can watch at the link I hope, great sound, most of the music was new to me, which is good. Knockout performances, all of them.

Chamber: Elgar and Beach. Takac's Quartet.
Choral: J.L.Dussek. Messe Solemnelle. Academy of Ancient Music.
Concerto: Shostakovich Violin Concertos. State Academic Symphony Orchestra of Russia ft. Alina Ibrigonova.
Contemporary: John Pickard. The Nash Ensemble.
Early: Josquin Masses. The Tallis Scholars.
Instrumental: Bach. Sean Shibe on Guitar.
Opera: Peter Grimes by Benjamin Britten. Bergen Philarmonic ft. Stewart Skelton.
Orchestral: Franz Scmidt. Frankfurt Radio Symphony.
Piano: Bach. Well Tempered Clavier. Piotr Anderszewski.
Song: Fatma Said. El Nour.
Voice and Ensemble: Verdi. Ludovic Tezier.

Lifetime achievement: Gundula Janowitz Soprano. Remastered release: Four Last songs. Schubert and Mozart I would think.
Label of the Year: Deutsche Grammaphon
Young Artist of the Year: Fatma Said.
Orchestra of the Year: The Minnesota Orchestra.

Enjoyed that. You will all have your own styles you like. I think I shall buy just one every week or so as a treat. I like singing pieces best, but am open to some new stuff too. And I must find out what Dolby Atmos is.

 

[Bonsai]

@Christophe - I took a listen to the 9th - very nice!

 

[billshurv]

Update Review: Fifty-Four Fallible Furtwängler CDs - YouTube

I guess I was the only one who didn't take to that reviewing style. For me it was a 5 minute review padded out to over 40 to get a good rant in. I listened to it all to see if he covered what was important to me, and he didn't. At least I know these are reviews not for me and can be avoided going forwards.

 

[mordikai]

I'm gonna pass on this box, too many uneven performances and a lot of very poor sound quality aswell. Remastering can only do so much with old poorly recorded material.

 

[Soundhappy]

Today update about other recordings Music Chat: Furtwängler's BEST--A Healthy Taste - YouTube

 

[Soundhappy]

Interesting documentary about Wilhelm Furtwängler
Part 1 - Wilhelm Furtwängler Documentary 1/4 - YouTube
Part 2 - Wilhelm Furtwängler Documentary 2/4 - YouTube
Part 3 - Wilhelm Furtwängler Documentary 3/4 - YouTube
Part 4 - Wilhelm Furtwängler Documentary 4/4 - YouTube
Best regards