On 1st October 2003, the 3rd research organisation dedicated to the art of Wilhelm Furtwängler was borne in Japan.  The English name of the organisation is:

The Wilhelm Furtwängler Centre of Japan.

  

Why now, the third group? 

Good question.

Next year, 2004, is 50th death anniversary of Wilhelm Furtwängler. While copyrights on most of his recordings lapses, we nowadays tend to believe that we have come to know everything about him. Back in 1969 when The Wilhelm Furtwängler Society Japan Associates was established, the famous 1953 Rome Ring was not yet published.  Very few people heard in person the famous Urania “Eroica”.  

Times have changed.  We now can buy numerous versions of the 1944 Vienna “Eroica” in originated from several different sound sources. We see in the market diverse CDR versions of the very Urania “Eroica” that were directly transferred from the original LP. 

While even the conductors belonging to the succeeding generations to Furtwängler such as Karajan and Bernstein had passed away and perhaps interest on them are gradually fading away, we find ourselves comparing and appreciating the art of Furtwängler against those of contemporaries such as Harnoucourt, Carlos Kleiber and even Rattle.   

The art of Furtwängler is evergreen and beautiful, and communicates strongly to the people of today. And, perhaps, even to the people of next generations.

  

What kind of activities is the “Centre” going to be engaged? 

We wish to offer more comprehensive and international oriented services than our Japanese predecessors.  While “Japanese Furtwängler Society” is engaged solely in sale of CDs and “Tokyo Furtwängler Institute” is concentrated on studying the Furtwängler’s compositions and thoughts, we wish to assist Japanese Furtwängler admirers, for example:

-         having direct access to the studies, materials and events by Wilhelm Furtwängler Organisations abroad

-         having access to written materials

 

It is worthwhile to mention that a number of “deep” Furtwängler connoisseurs have grown in　the meantime, who posses profound knowledge about the life and art of Furtwängler. The days when “Furtwängler Organisations know more than usual people” are over.  We wish to provide interface vis-à-vis those Furtwängler experts, so that we may transfer the appreciating “know-how” of splendid art of Furtwängler to the future generations.  

Tell me more concretely. Is the service free or against a fee?  

We provide support services for enrolling to Furtwängler Societies abroad and assist you acquiring the information and materials that are offered by them.  We issue or support importing CDs, DVDs, and printed materials.  We shall host study meetings and record concerts.  For particulars, please refer to the separate sheets. 

In order to minimise the costs, we “exploit” the Internet facilities. We conduct our activities in principle on web and you are cordially invited to refer to our WebPages:

http: //www.furt-centre.com 

The Web Pages are divided into two: general pages and the member’s only pages.  The latter requires ID and Password to have an access, which will be communicated only to subscribing members.  

What is the name of your organisation? 

We named ourselves “The Wilhelm Furtwängler Centre of Japan.” It is the first ever Furtwängler Organisation named “Centre”.  We are at the moment a tiny venture but we have an ambition to become a real “Centre” on Furtwängler’s everything, where people may have access to all Furtwängler matters easily. Our success naturally depends on the members’ support.  

Do you issue CDs yourselves? 

Yes.  For example:

We have reached an agreement with a famous European Furtwängler scholar and issue the following two sets of CDs from his tape collection: 

(1)      Beethoven: Symphony No. 9

Orchestra and Chorus: Bayreuth Festival Orchestra and Chorus

Recording:               August 9, 1954

Soloist:  Gre Browenstijn (sop.)       Ira Malaniuk (Alto)

             Wolfgang Windgassen (ten.)  Ludwig Weber (Bass) 

Finally the “Beethoven 9th, 1954 Bayreuth”.

We issue it in 2CDs set including the rehearsal recording of the 3rd and 4th movements from the previous day.  Some flutters are audible from the 3rd movement onward but tolerable.  The original source sounds at least two generations younger than the hitherto available private records. There exists a “Reel-touch” slowing down for 1 second at the 3rd movement as in the previous private records. 

The rehearsal continues for about 45 minutes and about 3 minutes longer in the 4th movement than the previous private issues. It ends with the applause from the orchestra and chorus.  

We believe that all the Furtwängler admirers are familiar with the name, “Olsen”, who pioneered in issuing Furtwängler discography, “the Olsen Discography”, in 1970th.  The author, Mr. Henning Smidth (a.k.a. Olsen) contributes the sleeve note under reference to a letter by Wolfgang Wagner addressed to him. 

The front-sleeve will feature a stage photograph of this exact performance in Bayreuth.  We reproduced the “Programzettel” that were attached to the original program of the day.  We included Furtwängler’s note titled “Beethoven”, which was included in the original program, in the sleeve. 

Price: JPY 4,100 including postage 

(2)       A.  Brahms: Symphony No. 4

Orchestra: Berliner Philharmoniker

Recording: October 22, 1948

 

It is a Radio recording made by Sender Freies Berlin two days before the known EMI live performance.  The sound is with firm bass that is typical Furtwängler captured in the Reel-to-Reel tape. The sound is good enough to enjoy Furtwängler’s heated performance during one of the post-war peak times when Furtwängler conducted most energetically.  

A commercial issue by Tahra, though it was made from the original tape, was marred by tape wear.  The source of this CD is a tape that was copied from the original in 1960th and fortunately sounds more vivid. 

B.  Brahms: Double concerto for Violin and Cello

Orchestra: Luzern Festival Orchestra

Wolfgang Schneiderhan, violin

Enrico Mainardi, violoncello

Recording: August 24th, 1949

 

This is more dramatic a performance than the beautiful January 1952 Vienna account issued by EMI. Again the sound is good, though some distortions are audible in the first movement. It is a complete recording without any replacement being patched from another performance in contrast to other previous commercial releases. 

The front-sleeve of the CD will feature a scene from the rehearsal of the double concerto showing Furtwängler, Schneiderhan and Mainardi reaching the artistic climax.  We feel it a pity that the “CompactDisc” case is not in the size of LP! 

Price: JPY 2,500 including airmail postage 

(Those prices are valid for members with address in Japan only.  Extra postage is applicable for member abroad.　In principle the items can be purchased separately and we accept orders in multiple copies but only for members’ own collection.) 

We continue our releases.  We shall inform the contents consecutively.  

Order method: Orders may be made together with the Centre Admission Application.  

How can I join the Centre? 

Please send "The Centre Admission Application” by mail or e-mail.

The Centre will register the membership upon receipt of the Enrolment Fee, which must be remitted to the below-mentioned Post Office Giro Account. 

Account name: Furtwängler Centre

Account number: 00240 - 9 - 111630 

The Centre will take it for granted that all the Enrolment applications will have been made after the applicants’ having read and accepted the member rules.  

The Wilhelm Furtwängler Centre of Japan 

Honorary President:        Elisabeth Furtwängler

Adviser:                             Henning Smidth (a.k.a. Olsen)

Executive Directors:       Hajime Suzuki, Masayuki Nakamura, Hidekuni Yobikawa

Auditor:                             Takanori Masuda

Chief Researcher:           Hiroshi Shimizu