Furtwangler, Wilhelm, << FOORT `vehng` lur, VIHL hehlm >> (1886-1954), was a noted German orchestra conductor. He was one of the last conductors of the romantic school, which was known for broad tempos and sweeping emotional interpretations.
Furtwangler was born on Jan. 25, 1886, in Berlin. Beginning in 1905, he led orchestras in Lubeck, Mannheim, Leipzig, and other European cities. Furtwangler became principal conductor of the Berlin Philharmonic Orchestra in 1922 and of the Vienna Philharmonic in 1927. He held both positions for most of the rest of his life. In 1925, he made his American debut at the New York Philharmonic. Furtwangler became a controversial figure after he conducted for the Nazis during World War II (1939-1945). In 1946, American authorities officially cleared him of pro-Nazi activity. He died on Nov. 30, 1954.
