David Harbin ([log in to unmask]) wrote:

>>Having said that, I seem to have gone pretty much for one conductor ...
>>Let's face it, in Beethoven Furtwangler blows Karajan (who so many people
>>recommend) right out of the water.

To which Deryk Barker adds:

>Well, no argument from me there.

Well, when it comes to Beethoven nor me either.  However, I recommended
Karajan assuming most people would be seeking a stereo recording offered
as a boxed set.  We tend to scoff a little at the late 19th century image
of Beethoven as some Superhuman Being struggling with Destiny - and thus
unquestionably the greatest composer ever to live.  Furtwaengler not only
believed this but manages to totally convince you while listening to him
that it could not possibly be otherwise.  Everyone else sounds like they
are playing just another highly interesting composer.

Satoshi Akima
Sydney, Australia
[log in to unmask]