http://www.romancatholicism.org / National Socialism

Furtwangler Conducts Beethoven Wilhelm Furtwangler was the leading conductor of his generation and Adolf Hitler’s favourite. The Nazi Party used Beethoven’s music extensively and Furtwangler would conduct the Ninth for Hitler’s birthday and other special occasions. Furtwängler conducts the Berlin Philharmonic live in Ludwig van Beethoven’s Fifth Symphony, 27 June 1943 1. Allegro con brio 2. Andante con moto 3. Menuetto. Allegro molto - Trio 4. Allegro vivace Furtwängler conducts the Berlin Philharmonic live in Ludwig van Beethoven’s Sixth Symphony, 20 March 1944 1. Awakening of Cheerful Feelings upon Arrival in the Country 2. Scene by the Brook 3. Merry Gathering of Country Folk 4. Thunderstorm 5. Shepherd’s Song: Happy and Thankful Feelings after the Storm Furtwängler conducts the Berlin Philharmonic live in Ludwig van Beethoven’s Ninth Symphony, 22 March 1942 1. Allegro ma non troppo, un poco maestoso 2. Molto vivace 3. Adagio molto e cantabile - Andante moderato - Adagio 4. Presto - Allegro ma non troppo - Allegro Assai - Allegro assai vivace - alla marcia - Andante maestoso - Allegro - Allegro energico, sempre ben marcato - Allegro ma non tanto - Poco adagio - Prestissimo See also: Video clip of the 19 April 1942 performance of the Ninth. Furtwangler Conducts Bruckner Wilhelm Furtwängler and Music in the Third Reich by Antony Charles. Music in the Third Reich – Then and Now by A.V. Schärfenberg.

Furtwangler conducts Beethoven’s Ninth for Hitler’s birthday in 1942