Furtwangler and the Nazi Party

Nazis and music are two subjects that I love to research. When they come together it's even more enjoyable for me. This entry is about Wilhelm Furtwangler.


Wilhelm Furtwangler (1886-1954) was a German conductor/composer during the Nazi regime. He conducted the Berlin Philharmonic Orchestra. He did NOT approve of the Nazi regime, and would not give the Nazi salute. This caused him to be a target of the Nazi party, and he too fled to Switzerland to avoid arrest. He was chosen to premiere Hindemith's Mathis del Maler but the Nazis prevented the piece from being performed.

The twisted thing that I want to point out is at the end of this video


Watch until the very end when Joseph Goebbels comes up to shake hands with Furtwangler. He holds onto the Furtwangler's hand, and at the very end he switches the hankerchief from his left hand to his right hand to wipe away the touch of the Nazis. This is one of the coolest pieces of footage I've seen of bold protest against the Nazis in the music world.