I have the 1939 set, and also the newly remastered 1950s set. The new
mastering has brought out much that was obscured in all previous issues,
and I find it very pleasing.
Over the years I have blown hot and cold with these records, but finally I
am enjoying them very much. The Eroica, Ninth, and the Missa Solemnis are
absolutely marvelous.
You asked about Toscanini's politics-- he was a firm, and very public,
anti-fascist and anti-nazi. The opposite of Furtwangler. Where
Furtwangler was timid, Toscanini was as fiery as his performances.
Bill S