"I have known Beethoven's 5th and 7th Symphonies since my earliest days collecting Classical LP records in 1972. My first exposure to Symphony 5 was the Decca recording by Hans Schmidt-Isserstedt/Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra, and for Symphony 7, Ernest Ansermet/Orchestre de la Suisse Romande. Furtwangler's recordings pre-date each of these by 10-15 years, but the sound is very good mono. Furtwangler's 5th may be the best recording this work has ever had: intense, dark, beautifully recorded. Don't expect overly fast tempos or hyped up dramatics:this is about destiny, soul searching, triumph over despair, life over death. Furtwangler's Vienna 7th, while not a favorite of many critics, still speaks to me in a special way. Tempos in I and IV are fast, and the sound is not as good as in Symphony 5 (it was recorded 3 years earlier), but there is an excitement and intensity which makes this worth hearing.
Most listeners would buy this for Symphony 5, and for about $7.00 you can't go wrong, no matter how many Beethoven Symphony recordings you have."
I Can't Believe My Ears!
Ahmed Munim Ahmed | CA, USA | 05/09/2009
(5 out of 5 stars)
"The digital restoration on this CD is amazing! There is no noise or hissing and the sound is so clear and sharp just like a stereo recording. Of course Furtwangler is a great conductor and listening to his interpretation of B's 5th and 7th Symphonies is a grace. Don't miss this CD if you like Furtwangler or Beethoven!"
Great Performances
Samuel J. Schleman | Malvern, PA USA | 07/04/2008
(5 out of 5 stars)
"Simply stated, these are both great, great performances. At $5.99 for this CD, this is a steal!! Anyone who loves Beethoven and anyone who has either not heard a Furtwangler performance before, or has heard him and likes what they heard should buy this CD.
You can't go wrong with great performances for $6.00!!!!"
Unforgettable!
Sungu Okan | Istanbul, Istanbul Turkey | 05/08/2006
(5 out of 5 stars)
"This CD has two historic recordings of Furtwangler. These performances are in cult status. Furtwangler and his Wiener Philharmoniker performed so sensitive and Beethovenien power. In my opinion, Wilhelm Furtwangler's Beethoven readings are definitive. Actually, there are "authentic" readings with period instruments made by Harnoncourt, Norrington, Hogwood. But these Furtwangler readings (may be both in modern and authentic reading) are reference, I think. Furtwangler, of course, one of the greatest conductors of century, and these Beethoven recs. are his best.
Symphony No. 5 performed not fast, flamboyant as Karajan. But Furtwangler sound has a more deep atmosphere, it is more phsycological, impressive. Because, he didn't take a fast tempo, so he could give the full precious meanings of all Beethoven notes! The first movement is tremendous, and 2nd slow movement is a lyric singing music. The last movement is triumphant, of course.
Symphony No. 7 is marvellous too. Especially the famous 2nd Allegretto movement is may be the best performance, you can weep whn you listen it. It is really drammatic, pathetic.
The sound quality is very good mono, recorded in 1950's. Even, these are historic recs. And worth to listening.
At this price, you can not wrong with it. Highly recommended.