Furtwängler, (Gustav Heinrich Ernst Martin) Wilhelm (1886–1954)

German conductor. He was leader of the Berlin Philharmonic Orchestra 1924–54. His interpretations of Wagner, Bruckner, and Beethoven were valued expressions of monumental national grandeur, but he also gave first performances of Bartök, Schoenberg's Variations for Orchestra (1928), and Hindemith's opera Mathis der Maler/Mathis the Painter (1934), a work implicitly critical of the Nazi regime. He ascended rapidly from theatre to opera orchestras in Mannheim 1915–20 and Vienna, Austria, 1919–24, then to major appointments in Leipzig and Vienna.

Furtwängler studied at Munich with Joseph Rheinberger and Max von Schillings, and early began gaining experience as conductor of concerts and opera at Zürich, Munich, Strasbourg (where he was a deputy to Hans Pfitzner), and Lübeck. After an engagement at Mannheim he followed Arthur Nikisch at the Leipzig Gewandhaus. He made his London debut in 1924, and his New York debut in 1925. He conducted the Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra from 1924 (and was principal conductor 1927–28 and 1933–54). In 1928 he became conductor-in-chief of the Berlin Philharmonic. In 1934 he was obliged to resign his post, when he supported Hindemith against the attacks of Goebbels and other Nazis. He toured infrequently but with great success, visiting Bayreuth 1931–44 and the Royal Opera House, Covent Garden, London, 1935–38, performing Wagner's Tristan and The Ring. Furtwängler was also active as a composer, producing three symphonies, a piano concerto, a Te Deum, and some chamber music.