His whole point was that music dependends on the acoustics of the venue which inter alia defines the tempo of individual movements and that could neither be captured nore rendered by recording. Quite the Anti Audiophile, him. He was deeply into Zen Buddhism and believed in living in the moment to create musical fulfillment. Listening to him live was special.
Who is your Favorite Historical Conductor?
For discussion purposes I am limiting this to
1) Wilhelm Furtwangler
2) Arturo Toscanini
3) Bruno Walter
feel free to introduce others. I will be arbitrary and cut off Conductors who worked after the death of Leonard Bernstein.
Furtwangler and Toscanini died just short of the onset of the stereo era. They were however recorded with the best technology of the times, and the work of restoration technology of today has done wonders. Walter recorded until 1962 but perhaps his best work was done in the mono era.
Walter was renowned for his “humanity” Furtwangler for his near mystical ability to rechannel German/Austrian music, and Toscanini for his finely chiseled intensity
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I know about Celi and his Zen Buddhism. Still, he had the power to guarantee in his will not to have recordings distributed after his death, instead of delegating that decision to others. So my premise is that on some level he must of have cared, and wanted his performances disseminated, while simultaneously making a show of not caring. Personally I can live without Celi. For my money he simply stretches and distorts the music until the line is unrecognizable. ymmv |
@lowrider57 Here's a nice Furtwängler box set of the Vienna at the Salzburg Festival. The recordings were cleaned up. I own it and will say that it's nice being able to hear him in live performance. |
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