Trial of strength

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When conductor Wilhelm Furtwangler chose to stay in Germany during the Third Reich, he faced severe criticism as a Nazi collaborator, accused of lending cultural legitimacy to Hitler's regime. Although exonerated in a 1947 de-nazification trial, his reputation as a Nazi sympathizer continued to haunt him personally and professionally. In this meticulously researched work, Fred K. Prieberg explores Furtwangler's complex role in Nazi Germany, revealing how he fought to preserve the masterpieces of German music while leading the Berlin Philharmonic Orchestra and the Berlin Staatsoper. For Furtwangler, the traditions of German art transcended political affiliations. Prieberg argues that he resisted the regime's attempts to use him for propaganda, leveraging his influence to protect Jewish musicians and staff. Notably, he refrained from giving the Nazi salute at concerts, even in Hitler's presence, and avoided performing at Nazi events or in occupied territories. Furtwangler's unwavering belief in the ideals of German art empowered him to maintain a quiet yet effective opposition to the regime. This work presents compelling evidence that he was neither a Nazi nor a sympathizer, shedding light on the challenges of artistic collaboration under totalitarian rule.