The Furtwangler Record

Books continue to proliferate about the great German conductor, who died 40 years ago. This one by Dallas-based music critic Ardoin is perhaps the most useful of them, a deeply informed guide to the maestro's significant recordings together with Furtwangler's own thoughts on interpretation of many of the works Ardoin discusses. Ardoin is an unabashed admirer, who finds that ``what was a circumscribed cult [of enthusiasts] in the first decade following his death has become a widespread phenomenon.'' He champions Furtwangler against Arturo Toscanini as the century's greatest conductor, joins those who find the maestro naive but not blameworthy in electing to stay in Nazi Germany, and feels that we will not look upon his like again. There is a wonderfully thorough discography (by John Hunt), which emphasizes the remarkable fact that almost every major recording Furtwangler made is now available on CD. An invaluable book for admirers and record collectors. Photos not seen by PW. (Oct.)