Wilhelm Furtwängler lived and breathed music so thoroughly that he constantly conducted imaginary orchestras as he walked. Her had dedicated his entire life to perpetuating the traditions of German culture in which he had been immersed from his earliest youth and of which he had become the most visible champion. But, he was conducting operatic music with great imagination, overtures included. German music was the main reason for his existence, including here Berlioz. During these six last years of activity, he came in Vienna to preserve that city’s proud tradition and in particular the independence and excellence of its famed Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra.

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