Living Past's video: Furtw ngler Beethoven No 4 most lively Berlin Philharmonic Alte Philharmonie 1943 Special transfer

Furtwangler conducted Beethoven's symphony No. 4 in four concerts, 27th - 30th June 1943 in the Alte Philharmonie Berlin, as part of a pure Beethoven program, together with Coriolan overture and the 5th Symphony. MOVEMENTS: I 0:11 II 11:23 III 23:23 IV 29:03 - INTRODUCTION & TIPS: Robert Schumann considered Beethoven's No. 4 as "greek and slender (griechisch schlank)". Most conductors follow him. Christian Thielemann even speaks of No. 4 as an "anti-climax" or a "taking breath" between the powerful 3rd and 5th. In opposition to this general opinion Furtwängler puts No. 4 in the same league with its neighbours in 1943. For him it was also a heroic work with a struggle between two principles, ending with an ecstatic final movement that in this performance is truly overwhelming. Who is right? There is no indication that Beethoven followed a simple pattern that heroic works should alternate with lighter ones (the even-numbered symphonies). After the war Furtwängler changed some things in the performances of the 4th. But his only later live recording of the 4th with audience (Munich 1953) is again quite heroic and dramatic in character. The transfer makes no use of any digital manipulations (filtering, equalization etc.), because (with my equipment) they all reduce liveliness (even if sound comes better). Some tips for listening this upload best: Remember that the computer is not designed for music reproduction. If you just listen without bothering many things will reduce the quality of what you want to enjoy, hence your enjoyment itself. I recommend the following steps: 1) If you have a powerful computer with good sounding speakers use the 720p HD option of YouTube (1080p gives better pictures but often less liveliness of music.). In case of a weak computer choose 480p. 2) Close all computer programs you do not need at the moment. If you can switch off the screen do so. 3) I strongly recommend Google's Chrome browser for YouTube videos. Other browsers are dull in comparison. 4) If you own a good Hifi system connect your computer with it. Best via a good USB digital-to-analogue converter and an audiophile USB cable.