Beethoven’s C minor Symphony, built around the universally known four-note phrase, transitions quietly from its third movement to its fourth. The brief journey over the orchestra explodes in a burst of C major, unusual for a symphony that began in a minor key. The four-note figure occurs repeatedly in different guises as it does in the previous three. The movement, a triumph of composition, ends the triumphant symphony in a triumphant blaze. When its’s over one can only respond with awe.
Below are two performances of this movement conducted by of the two greatest conductors of the 20th century – Wilhelm Furtwängler and Arturo Toscanini. When it comes to the core German repertory, I usually prefer Furtwängler’s readings to those of his older Italian contemporary – but not in this case. It’s a close call, but, for whatever little it’s worth, I give the nod to Toscanini. I think his greater energy and faster pace wins out of the German’s great sense of structure and tonal grandeur – but it’s just an opinion. In the end, it’s Beethoven who’s the victor.
Furtwängler and the Vienna Philharmonic
Toscanini and the NBC Symphony
Thanks Neil. Both interpretations are superb and why not? Two of the greatest conductors ever. Small point perhaps but to my ear the Furtwangler seems more majestic and dramatic.
Tom