This is a very special facsimile of a programme that we are featuring here: the concerts given by the Berliner Philharmoniker and Furtwängler on 19, 20 and 21 November 1939.
It featured one of the rare appearances of the great baritone Hans Hotter with Furtwängler, but above all it announced the premiere of Hans Pfitzner's Kleine Sinfonie op. 44. A Pfitzner in the spotlight, as the symphony was accompanied by two arias sung by Hotter.
And there was nothing obvious about this programme. Despite what one might think of the person, Pfitzner was far from being among the favourites of the regime in power. Furtwängler had to intervene more than once to ensure that the old man was regarded with respect.
