During the Second World War, Furtwängler conducted the Berlin Philharmonic number of famous concerts, whose testimonies have survived the decades in often difficult conditions. Like many others during the war years, the 4 performances of 25 to 28 October 1942 were recorded by the RRG (Reichs-Rundfunk-Gesellschaft, the Reich Radiophonique Company), then the documents were lost. In reality, we know later that considerable archives recorded the RRG were recovered shortly after the war by the Soviet occupation forces; in the sixties began to reappear in some Melodiya Furtwängler recordings of the war years. In 1987, twenty German concert master tapes were made in copy: this is where we (re) discovered these famous recordings and for many unavoidable. After the fall of the Berlin Wall, this war chest jealously kept in the Central Archives of Radio Moscow was finally returned to Berlin Radio (thanks to the tenacity of his musical editor, Klaus Lang, who pursued this treasure for over a quarter century). Thus in the 90 appeared in some DG few of these documents RGG, under the collection "Wilhelm Furtwängler - Recordings 1942-1944" (including Beethoven, Schumann, R. Strauss, Brahms, Schubert, Sibelius , Mozart, Weber, and the 5th of Bruckner, the only version known to the great German leader).
The 5th Bruckner this late October 1942 was published many times by various labels in sometimes acceptable technical conditions, often mediocre, depending on the source used and the care taken in the edition (usually a very excessive filtering). DG has published in the 90s version "remastered", but from non-ideal sources; Melodiya including then benefited from some better sources. Today Testament puts everyone agreed on the basis for the first time on the soundtrack preserved in the archives of Radio Berlin-Brandenburg (RBB, the East Berlin radio and West); the quality achieved is exceptional (and surprising)! Furthermore, important detail for the ears, note that this time the pitch has been left to 440Hz (444Hz instead of generally used so far in the literature, including in DG); So the orchestra sounds like ever!
The Bruckner Wilhelm Furtwängler is instantly recognizable, posting a vision both personal and deeply rooted in the very foundations of this music. As usual in Bruckner, and more than usual perhaps, Furtwängler here deploys a supernatural energy, literally bewitching, supported by a voltage of unprecedented violence, close to unbearable. The orchestra is in hypnosis and is the voice of its leader. Furtwängler Bruckner to built a vibrant architecture, fleeing any dramatic accent, pushing dynamics, magnifying orchestral colors, developing a mystical vision any impression of an unreal nobility. To quote the critic of the time, Heinz Joachim (included in the manual), here is a Fifth "rising from the depths as free from any previous history inexhaustibly compelling a densification of its turbulent visions, almost improvised, rushing towards the infinity. "
Nearly six decades after his capture on Nazi gangs, the year of the 125th anniversary of the man who was probably the greatest leader of the twentieth century, this unique interpretation is now available in a sound quality to match his legend. It only remains to hope that Testament has the right idea (and opportunity) to publish other records of this quality. For do not doubt that the Berlin radio keeps in stock many other extraordinary testimonies attesting that priceless art flowers can bloom even in the midst of the madness of war.
