Toscanini, Furtwängler and Karajan : three conductors in the making of a myth

Abstract

The art of conducting is one of the 'youngest' branches of performing arts considering that its major development took place as recently as the 20th century. Following the rather slow development of the art, spanning over more than four hundred years, one may see the development from the 'audible' to 'silent' gestures of the conductor. In the 20th century, a quasi-standardized conducting technique gradually emerged and the two main philosophies of interpretation created trends for conductors of the following generations. These trends emerged as a result of the work of Berlioz and Wagner in the 19th century and were carried further by Arturo Toscanini and Wilhelm Furtwangler. The most radical change in the course of its history stood in the phenomenon of recorded music, which still is the way to success for most emerging conductors. From a simple time-beater to a highly-authoritative figure, nowadays, the conductor is perhaps the most respected and one of the most-paid musicians; the general public and musicians look high at conductors and most great conductors are regarded as infallible ... Undoubtedly a myth was created. How long this myth will persist in the future remains an open question.