Composer

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Spoken Word

Genre

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Miscellaneous

Style

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Miscellaneous

Compose Date

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1950 06 22+1951 08

Average_duration

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2:10

"Wilhelm Furtwängler talks about Verdi's Otello" is a spoken word recording of the famous German conductor and composer, Wilhelm Furtwängler, discussing the opera Otello by Italian composer Giuseppe Verdi. The recording was made on May 22, 1954, and was later released on LP by the Deutsche Grammophon label. The recording is divided into four movements, each of which focuses on a different aspect of the opera. In the first movement, Furtwängler discusses the character of Otello, the Moorish general who is the protagonist of the opera. Furtwängler notes that Otello is a complex character, torn between his love for his wife Desdemona and his jealousy and suspicion of her fidelity. In the second movement, Furtwängler discusses the music of Otello, noting that Verdi's score is full of contrasts and dramatic tension. He points out the use of leitmotifs, or recurring musical themes, to represent different characters and emotions in the opera. The third movement focuses on the role of Desdemona, Otello's wife, and her relationship with Otello. Furtwängler notes that Desdemona is a sympathetic character, and that her innocence and purity make her a tragic figure in the opera. Finally, in the fourth movement, Furtwängler discusses the ending of Otello, which he describes as one of the most powerful and moving in all of opera. He notes that the final scene, in which Otello kills Desdemona and then takes his own life, is a powerful expression of the destructive power of jealousy and mistrust. Overall, "Wilhelm Furtwängler talks about Verdi's Otello" is a fascinating and insightful exploration of one of the greatest operas of all time. Furtwängler's deep knowledge of the music and his passion for the opera shine through in his commentary, making this recording a must-listen for any fan of classical music.

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