Arranger(s): Berlioz, Hector
Label: Naxos Historical
Series: Great Conductors
Genre: Choral - Secular; Opera; Orchestral
Period: Romantic
Catalogue No: 8.111004
Barcode: 0747313300426
Distribution Note(s):
Not available in the United States due to possible copyright restrictions
Release Date: 04/2009

WEBER, C.M. von: Freischutz (Der) (excerpts) / MENDELSSOHN, Felix: Midsummer Night's Dream (Furtwangler, Early Recordings, Vol. 3) (1929-1935)

Volume 3 of The Early Recordings is a welcome reminder that Furtwängler’s musical sympathies went beyond Beethoven, Brahms, Bruckner and Wagner, the composers with whom he is most closely associated. The remake of the overture to Weber’s Der Freischütz (Furtwängler’s 1926 recording is available on Naxos 8.111003) smoulders with anticipation, a real theatrical prelude. Invitation to the Dance is lovingly turned at the opening and close, with plenty of heady excitement in between. Berlioz’s Hungarian (Rakoczy) March is nimble and athletic, remarkably ‘straight’ but thrilling in its own right. The account of the Overture to Mendelssohn’s A Midsummer Night’s Dream is notable for its translucent delicacy.

Tracklist

Weber, Carl Maria von
Kind, Johann Friedrich - Lyricist
Berlin Philharmonic Orchestra (Orchestra)
Furtwängler, Wilhelm (Conductor)
1 Act I: Overture 09:51
Berlin Philharmonic Orchestra (Orchestra)
Furtwängler, Wilhelm (Conductor)
2 Act III: Entr'acte 03:21
Berlin Philharmonic Orchestra (Orchestra)
Furtwängler, Wilhelm (Conductor)
Weber, Carl Maria von
Berlioz, Hector - Arranger
Berlin Philharmonic Orchestra (Orchestra)
Furtwängler, Wilhelm (Conductor)
3 Aufforderung zum Tanze (Invitation to the Dance), Op. 65, J. 260 (arr. H. Berlioz for orchestra) 08:33
Berlin Philharmonic Orchestra (Orchestra)
Furtwängler, Wilhelm (Conductor)
Mendelssohn, Felix
Berlin Philharmonic Orchestra (Orchestra)
Furtwängler, Wilhelm (Conductor)
4 A Midsummer Night's Dream, Op. 21: Overture 12:46
Berlin Philharmonic Orchestra (Orchestra)
Furtwängler, Wilhelm (Conductor)
Berlin Philharmonic Orchestra (Orchestra)
Furtwängler, Wilhelm (Conductor)
5 The Hebrides, Op. 26, "Fingal's Cave" 09:48
Berlin Philharmonic Orchestra (Orchestra)
Furtwängler, Wilhelm (Conductor)
Berlioz, Hector
Berlioz, Hector - Lyricist
Gandonniere, Almire - Lyricist
Nerval, Gerard de - Lyricist
Berlin Philharmonic Orchestra (Orchestra)
Furtwängler, Wilhelm (Conductor)
6 La damnation de Faust, Op. 24: Part I Scene 3: Hungarian March, "Rákóczy March" 04:15
Berlin Philharmonic Orchestra (Orchestra)
Furtwängler, Wilhelm (Conductor)
Mendelssohn, Felix
Berlin Philharmonic Orchestra (Orchestra)
Kleiber, Erich (Conductor)
7 Act II: Scherzo 04:51
Berlin Philharmonic Orchestra (Orchestra)
Kleiber, Erich (Conductor)
8 Act III: Nocturne 07:17
Berlin Philharmonic Orchestra (Orchestra)
Kleiber, Erich (Conductor)
9 Act V: Wedding March 04:43
Berlin Philharmonic Orchestra (Orchestra)
Kleiber, Erich (Conductor)

Total Playing Time: 01:05:25