Furtwängler: Beethoven, Symphonien 5 & 7

[post modified jun-2010]
This is a beautiful interpretation. I used to be a musical ignorant and snob to the point that I would have frowned upon the dull recording of this CD. Fortunately, this experiment (of listening to great interpretations) has broadened my enjoyment, and can now heartedly recommend this Deutsche Grammophon CD as a cornerstone for a collection.
What a wide range of emotion, the precision of the attacks and releases is of such beauty. Furtwängler is in control of the orchestra at each step. What a crisp orchestration.
Be prepared for some deliberate slowness in the 5th, and an overwhelming precision and impetus in the 7th. This was an opportunity for Furtwängler and the Berlin Philharmoniker to protest against the way Nazi Germany was heading towards the end of WWII.

Berlin Philharmoniker,Wilhelm Furtwängler

Name	Key	Catalogue	Musicians	Observations
Symphony 5	Cm	Op.67		Live, Berlin, Philarmonie, 30.6.1943
Symphony 7	A	Op.92		Live, Berlin, Philarmonie, 3.11.1943