New York Times

Denazification in Vienna

4 December 1945

Menuhin calls on Allied world to accept Furtwängler again

Yehudi Menuhin, the violin virtuoso, who has just completed a Continental concert tour that included Moscow, asked yesterday that the Allied world accept Wilhelm Furtwängler, former conductor of the Berlin Philharmonic Orchestra into its good graces again. In 1936 Mr. Furtwängler declined an offer to become conductor of the New York Philharmonic Orchestra after he was accused of Nazi connections by organizations and publications in New York. He is now living in Switzerland.

"If there is one musician who deserves to be reinstated", said Mr. Menuhin at the Hotel Plaza, "it is Furtwängler. In all the time he directed in Berlin, he refused to give the Nazi salute at concerts as was expected of other conductors. He never allowed himself to be used as a propaganda vehicle in occupied countries. He did not accompany the Berlin orchestras on their tours. When you are a citizen of a country, as he was, his opposition was all one could expect."

11 December 1945

New Friends of Music head protests plea to clear Furtwängler of Nazi stigma

A statement by the violonist Yehudi Menuhin upon his recent return from Europe, maintaining that Wilhelm Furtwängler, the German conductor, was not a collaborationist, brought a sharp protest yesterday from Ira Hirschmann, civic leader and founder of the New Friend of Music.

"At the very moment when the employers of Mr. Furtwängler are facing an international trial for mass butchery," Mr. Hirschmann said, "that anyone should attempt to give a clear bill of health to one of their conspirators seems incredible. The memory of the American people is not that short, especially those who gave sons in battle in Germany to destroy Furtwängler's bosses." Mr. Hirschmann pointed out that when Hitler and Goering took over the musical life of Germany they "eliminated" all non-Nazi musicians and that a number of famous artists who refused to conform left the country.

"As a former attaché of the State Department during the war", Mr. Hirschmann continued, "I was in possession of evidence which proved again beyond any doubt the insoluble tie of Furtwängler with the Nazi leaders. Furtwängler was rated as an official of the Third Reich. This information was available to me, but was too well known by everyone to labor the point. Mr. Menuhin chooses a rather crucial moment in history to suggest the return of one of the Nazi satellites. The American people will not tolerate the pollution of our air with any musician who served the Nazi leaders with full devotion. If any efforts are made to bring the Nazi Furtwängler to America, he will meet with highly organized resistance and opposition. American musical life can flourish without Furtwängler. We are outraged at the very thought of this Nazi invading America."

In answer to Mr. Hirschmann's protest, Mr. Menuhin said last night that he never had said Mr. Furtwängler should come to this country. "At least not yet", he added, "maybe after prejudice dies down." He also criticized Mr. Hirschmann for "taking it upon himself to speak for the American people."

8 February 1946

Furtwängler reported held

Wilhelm Furtwängler, former conductor of the Berlin Philharmonic Orchestra, whose relations with the Nazis have been the subject of an international controversy, has been arrested by the French security police in Austria, it was reported today. A Russian-licensed paper said that Furtwängler had been taken into custody yesterday as he crossed the Austrian border from Switzerland en route to Vienna.

9 February 1946

Austria checks up on Furtwängler

A seven-man Austrian commission appointed by the Ministry of Education will begin here early next week an examination of Wilhelm Furtwängler, former conductor of the Berlin Philharmonic Orchestra, on his connection with National Socialism and the Hitler regime.

Egon Hilbert, director of Austrian State Theatres, expressed the hope today that the record would clear Dr. Furtwängler and that it would be possible to ask him to assume a post in Vienna, where he was once permanent guest conductor of the State Opera. Herr Hilbert, who invited Dr. Furtwängler to come here from Switzerland, spent seven years in Dachau concentration camp as an enemy of the Nazi regime. He said he did not take very seriously any musician's politics. Exception the cases of musicians who were really active Nazis, he said, he felt they should be treated as politically irresponsible.

Dr. Furtwängler, who is now in Salzburg, is due to come to Vienna by car tomorrow. Dr. Furtwängler's temporary arrest by the French when he entered Austria on Wednesday was due to the fact that he had no permit for the French zone, it is stated here.

* Hilbert was for a while both Secretary General of the « Bundestheater Verwaltung » that reunited the Staatsoper, the Volksoper, the Burgtheater and the Akademie-Theater. He also was President of the Wiener Festwochen and later, Director of the Österreichische Kultur-Institut in Rome. Karajan engaged him as Co-Director of the Vienna Staatsoper at his side and when he left that post for Berlin, Hilbert was named Director of the Opera for one season.

11 February 1946

Vienna welcomes Dr. Furtwängler who sees Russians there first in Allied-Austrian Scrutiny oh his career in Berlin

Dr. Furtwängler had a discussion this noon with a group of Russian officers representing the Soviet occupation forces on the possibility of his being accepted as conductor of the Vienna Philharmonic despite his long association with the Berlin Philharmonic Orchestra under the Hitler regime. Dr. Furtwängler arrived in Vienna last evening from Salzburg. This morning Dr. Furtwängler visited the Vienna Philharmonic offices where he was greeted by Egon Hilbert. He said he was not able to make a public statement on his case until he had heard the charges against him. Representatives of all four occupying powers are expected to talk with Dr. Furtwängler before the investigation by the Austrian commission is completed and its findings submitted for the decision of the Allied Control Council.

Austrian Socialists and Communists are opposed to permitting Dr. Furtwängler to remain in Vienna. Dr. Furtwängler's friends insist that he was never a Nazi and that to the end of the Nazi regime he protected Jewish and partly Jewish members of his orchestra against the Nazis. They also say that on one notable occasion he insisted on having Nazi flags taken off the walls of an auditorium where his orchestra was playing.

13 February 1946

Furtwängler advised - Vienna paper suggests that he clear name of nazism

An editorial in this morning's Neues Österreich, which was President Karl Renner's newspaper until recently, demands Dr. Furtwängler make a public confession of his fault in working for Adolf Hitler before he is accepted here as director of the Vienna Philharmonic. The editorial added that Dr. Furtwängler should declare that he no longer was willing to work under nazi auspices. The examination of Dr. Furtwängler by a special Austrian commission is not yet complete. It is known that the Administration's State theatres are eager to get Dr. Furtwängler cleared politically.

* Renner was Austria's Chancellor and a member of the socialist party (SPÖ)

14 February 1946

Furtwängler case to cite Nazi threat

Dr. Furtwängler told Vienna friends who are awaiting the outcome of his appearance before the Political Investigation Committee here that he fled for his life from Germany in 1945 because the doctor who treated Himmler's wife had told him the Nazis were going to kill him. This woman doctor, according to the story that Dr. Furtwängler told, came to see him secretly in January 1945. She told him he was on the Nazi's blacklist and that he had been spared so far only because his prestige was useful, but that when the Nazi regime crashed he would be killed.

The seven-member Austrian commission will interrogate Dr. Furtwängler tomorrow. He refused to make any public statement until after his examination. Persons connected with the Vienna Philharmonic who are chiefly interested in Dr. Furtwängler's being cleared, indicate that his defense will be based upon proof that he never held a state position after his resignation from the direction of the State Opera and the Philharmonic in Berlin in 1934 over the issue of anti-Semitism in music.

20 February 1946

Furtwängler branded "tool of Nazis"; his return to Berlin is not permitted

Brig. Gen. Robert A. McClure today publicly branded Dr. Furtwängler a "tool" of the Nazi party and said the famed German symphony conductor would not be permitted to return to his former post as director of the Berlin Philharmonic Orchestra. He said that Dr. Furtwängler was banned under the four-power denazification agreement. He rejected the public appeals of many prominent Berliners that the conductor be allowed to return "to the city of his birth and of his unforgettable achievements: Berlin."

In announcing the decision, General McClure said: "It is indisputable that Dr. Furtwängler was prominently identified with Nazi Germany. By allowing himself to become the tool of the party, he lent an aura of respectability to the circle of men now on trial at Nuremberg for crimes against humanity. It is inconceivable he should be allowed to occupy a leading position in Germany at the time when we are attempting to wipe out every trace of nazism", he added.

In addition, General McClure said, Dr. Furtwängler was vice president of the Reich Music Chamber, another blacklisted organization until his quarrel with the Nazi party in December 1934. Dr. Furtwängler's relations with the Nazis have precipitated much international controversy. His supporters assert that he was anti-Nazi, recalling his letter to Joseph Goebbels in 1933 in which he protested against the boycotting of Jewish artists. They also offer the correspondence between Furtwängler and Goering in 1937 in which the conductor asked to be relieved from conducting some performances in Berlin because of differences with Herr Tietjen, then in charge of the State Opera.

Last December, Yehudi Menuhin, famed concert violinist, returning from a tour of the continent, attempted in vain to have the then unofficial ban lifted. In Vienna a special Austrian commission is investigating Dr. Furtwängler to determine whether he is responsible for collaboration with the Nazis. A music post in the capital is planned for him if he is cleared.

21 February 1946

McClure explains Alliés' boycott of Furtwängler as conductor - Musician offered services to Goebbels after dismissal for opposing Nazism, American General says

The basis of the permanent ban on Furtwängler's return as conductor of the Berlin Philharmonic Orchestra, it was explained today, was his capitulation to Nazi domination after his earlier energetic opposition. Gen. McClure pointed out that, directly after retiring to his country villa, Furtwängler had began negotiations through Propaganda Minister Joseph Goebbels that completely altered his position. One of his outstanding performances in behalf of the Nazi party was at a rally in Nuremberg in 1937. In 1942 he conducted a concert in Czechoslovakia in observance of Hitler's birthday and he travelled extensively in foreign countries, both neutral and occupied, on tours approved by Goebbels. He remained in the Nazi hierarchy's good graces until its collapse.

Friedelind Wagner, granddaughter of the composer Richard Wagner, entered the controversy on Furtwängler yesterday with a statement that she had heard him defy a threat of concentration camp made directly by Hitler in 1936. Miss Wagner, who found sanctuary in England before the war after she had made her anti-Nazi feelings clear, was questioned about Furtwängler. The conductor, she said, was a weak person, but had always opposed nazism. She told of the meeting twelve years ago between Hitler and Furtwängler in the Bayreuth home of her mother. Miss Wagner was 16 years old at the time. "I remember Hitler turning to Furtwängler and telling him that he would have to allow himself to be used by the party for propaganda purposes", she said. "And I remember Furtwängler refusing. Hitler got angry and told Furtwängler that in that case there would be a concentration camp ready for him. Furtwängler was silent for a moment and then said: 'In that case, Herr Reichschancellor, I will be in very good company."

22 February 1946

Furtwängler permit retracted by Austrians

Vienna. The seven-man Austrian commission that considered whether to permit Wilhelm Furtwängler to conduct the Vienna Philharmonic reached an affirmative decision, but it was learned today that the whole matter had come before the commission again in view of the Alliés' decision in Berlin that Dr. Furtwängler could not conduct the Philharmonic there. The premature announcement by the Austrian commission created something of a crisis. The decision must come before the inter-Allied Committee.

23 February 1946

Furtwängler case in Austria muddled

Furtwängler's chances of receiving an immediate opportunity to conduct the Vienna Philharmonic probably have been ruined by the decision of the United States command in Germany that he cannot conduct in Berlin. The situation is now badly confused. Following the decision in Herr Furtwängler's favor by a seven-man Austrian commission announced yesterday the case was supposed to go next week to a special four-power Allied committee. Such a committee has not yet been organized, however. Meantime, the Austrians are not sure they want to have their decision come before an Allied committee at this time. Both the Austrians and responsible Americans indicated that they would prefer to shelve the matter for the time being if a way could be found to do so.

25 February 1946

Furtwängler shelved - Austrians deny dropping him but will not press issue

Vienna. The Austrian commission that examined the political record of Dr. Furtwängler as a basis on inviting him to conduct the Vienna Philharmonic, protested today against reports that its favorable decision on the case had been definitely reversed and that Dr. Furtwängler had been forbidden to direct in Austria. The whole matter has been taken into consideration again, the Austrians said, and no favorable report on Dr. Furtwängler would be sent to the Allied Council for review at this time. The Austrians will probably try to let the matter drag as long as possible to avoid an issue with the Americans, following the refusal of the American military authorities to let Dr. Furtwängler conduct in Berlin.

7 March 1946

Furtwängler protests

Berlin. Conductor Wilhelm Furtwängler asserted today in a letter to Arthur Werner, Mayor of Berlin, that the Alliés had not given him an opportunity to defend himself against disbarment under the denazification statutes.

Furtwängler was barred recently by the Alliés from resuming his position as leader of the Berlin Philharmonic Orchestra. The Alliés acted soon after Dr. Werner and heads of various groups had written an open letter to the musician in Vienna to "come back to Berlin and help in restoring German music". The letter published today was a reply and was published on the first page of the city government's newspaper, Berliner Zeitung, which is subject to Russian censorship. Furtwängler asserted that during the twelve years of the Hitler era he worked for German art and culture and not for Nazis.

10 March 1946

To act on Furtwängler - Alliés review this week Austrian decision on conductor

Vienna. The Allied Committee on Cultural Affairs in Austria will start consideration this week of the Austrian commission's secret vote on permitting Wilhelm Furtwängler to direct the Vienna Philharmonic. The Austrian commission had been hedging more than two weeks since the previous vote in favor of Herr Furtwängler, which became known at the same time as the American authorities' decision that he be not permitted to conduct the Berlin Philharmonic. The commission members want from the Alliés permission to have Herr Furtwängler act as guest conductor without having any official connection with the orchestra.

11 March 1946

Furtwängler goes to Berlin

Berlin. Dr. Wilhelm Furtwängler, German symphony conductor accused of Nazi activities, arrived by plane from Vienna Sunday, but American military government officials reiterated their previous statement that he had been black-listed in all four zones of Germany.

16 March 1946

Furtwängler files appeal on his ban

Berlin. Wilhelm Furtwängler reported today that he had submitted evidence of his innocence of Nazi sympathies and activities to Allied authorities as well as to the German Appeal Board, set up to consider such applications for review. Proof has been made available in both instances, he told reporters, that he acted throughout Adolf Hitler's regime as a dissenter and that he managed even against severe pressure to maintain his status outside the Nazi organization. He insisted on being identified only as a guest conductor whenever he gave a performance in Germany subsequent to 1935 and successfully evaded being utilized for Nazi propaganda concerts, particularly those celebrating Hitler's anniversary.

On the single occasion when his name was so exploited, he asserted, he was trapped by circumstances. The Nazis gave him only two days' notice that he had to conduct at the Hitler birthday fete in 1942 and in view of the fact that he was widely known to be rehearsing preliminary to the opening of the new season it was impossible to elude the job and he was compelled to appear as directed. The original documents, which he has preserved and turned over to the review board, he contends, will convince the world that his case has not been presented in the proper light and that a favorable decision will eventually clear his name.

26 May 1946

Furtwängler approved by Austrian Commission

The Austrian Investigation Commission has ruled that it would be "politically convenient" for Dr. Furtwängler and Conductor Herbert Karajan to perform in Austria, it was announced today. The commission's decision, which in effect exonerates Furtwängler of charges of collaboration with the Nazis, now must be approved by an Allied subcommittee in charge of activities of artists. The case has been under consideration for several months. On Feb. 20 Dr. Furtwängler was barred from conducting in Berlin by Gen. Robert McClure on charges that he had permitted himself to be used as a tool of the Nazis.

14 June 1946

Furtwängler case has Berlin confused

Without preliminary warning, the Berlin radio announced tonight that Wilhelm Furtwängler would conduct the Philharmonic program. The program this evening was preceded by a repetition of the news carried in today's issue of the Berliner Zeitung, that Dr. Furtwängler had been cleared by a four-power commission and that he would return to Berlin to conduct next season at the State Opera where he had ruled so long. Wagner's Tristan and Isolde was cited as the first opera he would conduct.

Subsequent to the news story, a denial was issued by an Allied source that Dr. Furtwängler had ever appeared for a review of his case by the quadripartite denazification commission, as required by his status as a mandatory removal case. Since permission to return to Berlin was dependent on his clearance by such a group, the facts alleged in the newspaper were incorrect, the denial stated. Confusion was added to the situation by Dr. Furtwängler's recent residence in Switzerland. One American in Berlin, who is a long acquaintance, said he had talked with the conductor in Switzerland last midnight by telephone. The musician said then that he would probably go to Vienna in the near future, but made no mention of a plan to come to Germany. However, it is established that he had been occupying his former residence in Potsdam at intervals.

Attempts to reach the Berlin radio to confirm that Dr. Furtwängler had participated personally in tonight's program proved futile because of the wind and rainstorms that have hampered phone service.

15 June 1946

Furtwängler case off

Berlin. United States military officials said today that Wilhelm Furtwängler probably would not appear before the Berlin denazification committee for "several months". They denied a report in Russian-licensed newspapers that he had been cleared of charges of having sympathized with the Nazis. Col. F.N. Leonard, United States representative on the Allied cultural affairs committee, said that the denazification committee had too many cases on the docket now to examine Dr. Furtwängler. Despite semi-official reports yesterday that Dr. Furtwängler had arrived in Berlin, reliable sources said he was still in Switzerland.

6 June 1946

Move on Furtwängler - Berlin confusion seen near end with action on his case

As a consequence of the furore created in Berlin the last few days by reports published in the Soviet-licensed press and contradicted by papers licensed in the British and American sectors, to the effect that the Interallied Denazifcation Commission had absolved Germany's leading conductor, Wilhelm Furtwängler, of charges of collaboration with the Hitler regime, indications today were that Dr. Furtwängler will appear here in a day or so for a clearing up of his case. He is now living in Switzerland. Last week a confusing announcement over the Russian-operated Berlin radio conveyed an impression that Dr. Furtwängler was personally conducting the Berlin Philharmonic on the air, whereas actually the music was from a recording.

Denazification in Berlin

10 December 1946

Conductor faces court today to attempt his vindication

Wilhelm Furtwängler will appear before a denazification court of nine Germans tomorrow in an effort to get a clear bill so as to resume his musical career in Berlin. The case against the 60-year-old former director of the Berlin Philharmonic has been most strongly argued by the American Military Government's information control division officials who have pointed out that he served as a Prussian State Councilor appointed by Hermann Goering to advise him on musical affairs, that he drew a salary for that work and that he conducted in foreign countries on tours that the Nazis staged for propaganda purposes. Russian occupation authorities have given tacit support "to bring Furtwängler back" campaigns by German cultural groups.

11 December 1946

Nazi ties denied by Furtwängler - conductor insists he could not quit State Post to which Goering appointed him, by Delbert Clark

Dr. Wilhelm Furtwängler stood trial today before a German tribunal. In a small, crowded, overheated room in the British sector of Berlin about 150 spectators listened while the German orchestral conductor attempted to prove incorrect the judgment of his musical peers. The charges against him were many. He had accepted appointment as a Prussian Staatsrat from Hermann Goering, he had been President of the Nazi Music Chamber and Director of the Berlin Philharmonic Orchestra under the Nazi regime, he had also procured the dismissal and drafting into the Army of a critic who had dared to build up a younger conductor at his expense. To all charges except the last Dr. Furtwängler answered with excuses or explanations. To the last, he made a general denial without substantiating the evidence. At the close of the day's session, the trail was recessed pending an attempt to find a material witness who might shed light on the last accusation.

All through the hearing, Doctor Furtwängler appeared nervous, irritable and unsure of himself. As the trial proceeded, his replies became less and less prompt, as if searching for words and sometimes he almost stuttered. On the other hand, the attitude of the Chairman of the Tribunal was correct to the point leaning over backward. The defendant explained he was unable to resign as a Prussian Staatsrat, since Goering had appointed him and alone was able to remove him. He did say he had resigned as President of the Music Chamber and Director of the Philharmonic after arguments with Joseph Goebbels over Jewish musicians. A few minutes later, however, Hans von Benda, former business manager of the Philharmonic, testifying as a defence witness, let slip a statement that Doctor Furtwängler had resigned because his frequent absences as a guest conductor in other countries had made it impracticable to continue as a permanent conductor in Berlin. The trial reached a climax with the testimony of Herr von Benda, supported by the manager of the Berliner Staatsoper, that when critic Herr von der Nuell had overpraised Herbert von Karajan, newly engaged as conductor of the Opera, Doctor Furtwängler had demanded that the opera and orchestra management discipline Herr von der Nuell. When then refused to do so, it was testified, Doctor Furtwängler himself took a hand with the result that the critic was drafted into the Army.

The defendant denied the critic had been drafted. He insisted that the incident had been of no great importance and charged that the review in question had been part of an officially inspired campaign to discredit him. Other witnesses strongly disagreed with this contention.

17 December 1946

Furtwängler is cleared of Nazi taint; German verdict subject to Allied review

Berlin. Wilhelm Furtwängler was acquitted of Nazism tonight by an artists' tribunal of his own countrymen. The Denazification Tribunal's verdict must be affirmed by Allied authorities before Furtwängler can resume his career as conductor of the Berlin Philharmonic. Citing evidence that the musician had helped keep Jewish artists from concentration camps and other punishments, the Tribunal said Furtwängler had voluntarily relinquished an honorary title of Prussian State Councillor to Hermann Goering in 1934 and had later avoided lending his prestige to Nazi functions.

The hearing started last week with a declaration by the Tribunal that Furtwängler had never been a member of the Nazi party or its auxiliaries but that it would investigate whether he had allowed Nazi propaganda to misuse his fame. American cultural authorities in the military government, in refusing to permit the conductor to resume his career without a denazification trial, said the nazis had used his foreign tours as a source of propaganda. The Russians, on the other hand, had shown partiality to Furtwängler and had given support to local cultural organizations demanding that he be permitted to resume his work.

Three Jews testified today that Furtwängler had risked his life to shield them. One was Paul Herzberg, former Opera director. Two others were members of the Philharmonic. Furtwängler testified that he had fled Berlin in January 1945 after he had been warned that he was suspected of complicity in the bomb plot against Adolf Hitler. In an impassioned plea, he declared: "Art must stand above politics".

Wilhelm Furtwängler in December 1946, during his Berlin trial

29 December 1946

Furtwängler's standards on Trial in Berlin - Though acquitted, conductor's moral position leaves doubts about his record, by Delbert Clark

On Tuesday, Dec. 17, 1946, Wilhelm Furtwängler was acquitted of Nazi activities by the Berlin denazification Tribunal. It was a great day for Doctor Furtwängler if one is not precise in appraising moral values. The tribunal had acquitted him on the ground of insufficient evidence but, perhaps unwittingly, convicted him of another offence, which is not punishable under any modern law. That offence was in the same general category as those committed by Beniamino Gigli in Italy and Richard Strauss in Austria: the offence of overlooking moral values and fixed principles that he was able and willing to make maximum use of the regime which he alleged was obnoxious to him, to maintain himself in a position of comfort and security and to kick down any potential competitors for that position. Positive Nazi activity is punishable under the rules of these Tribunals; lack of moral sense is not yet a crime.

In his trial, which lasted two full days, the proved charges were that Doctor Furtwängler, who used to be acclaimed as Germany's greatest orchestral conductor, had been honorary Prussian State Councillor, appointed by Hermann Goering, and that he had continued as President of the Berlin Music Chamber and Director of the Berlin Philharmonic Orchestra during part of the Hitler regime. Charges not proved were that he had been intimate with the Ministry of propaganda, if not with Goebbels himself, and had used that intimacy to procure punishment for a Berlin critic who dared praise Herbert von Karajan, young guest conductor, at his expense.

As for proof charges, Doctor Furtwängler said it was obviously impossible to resign as Prussian Councillor since Goering had appointed him and Goering alone could remove him. And he had eventually resigned both musical directorates.

Outside dates

He contended he acquit these positions as a result of arguments with Goebbels over the retention of Jewish musicians. But the former business manager of the Philharmonic, who appeared as a defence witness, and who had not heard Furtwängler's testimony, did him a disservice by saying the conductor was unable to continue administrative jobs because of pressure of guest engagements outside Germany. There appears to be little question that he had indeed protected some Jewish musicians, whether for reasons of personal friendship or because of opposition with the Nazi regime, is unclear. However, when it is said of a German, "some of his best friends were Jews", it is often taken as proof positive that he was no Nazi. As for the unproved charge, the substance was that von der Nuell, music critic of the Berliner Zeitung, had in 1938 praised Karajan to the skies and suggested that 50-year-old conductors should learn from him. The reference to Furtwängler was inescapable. Because it was so extravagant and spoke of "the wonder Karajan", this review became known to Berlin music circles as "Die Wunder-Kritik" and became a cause célèbre.

Wants critic punished

It was definitely established that Furtwängler appealed to the management of orchestra and State Opera to do something to punish von der Nuell and both refused. Whereupon, as Furtwängler himself eventually admitted after a day of denials, he personally and in writing appealed to the Propaganda Ministry to restrain von der Nuell.

Furtwängler contended he so acted because von der Nuell's criticism was part of a persecution campaign engineered by Hermann Goering, who wanted to get rid of him. It was well established that von der Nuell, no lily himself, was a personal friend of Goering. The trial resolved itself into a debate of two questions: First, did Furtwängler succeed in his efforts to have the critic punished? Second, was his act that of a sensitive temperamental artist who felt insulted or that of a very powerful who desired to suppress all opposition, however legitimate? It soon appeared that the only witness who might answer these questions was von der Nuell, himself, but he was listed as a prisoner of war in Belgium, allegedly as a result of Furtwängler having him drafted. However, one of the last witnesses was a pathetic, plump Hausfrau, wife of von der Nuell, who had not heard from her husband since the end of war and did not know whether he was alive or dead. In timid, weary, scarcely audible tones, she said that she had heard of "die Wunder-Kritik", but since it had been written before her marriage, she did not know details of the case.

Attitude questioned

No, she couldn't see any connexion between Furtwängler's olympian anger and her husband's being drafted because there was a two-year interval between the two incidents, and meanwhile the Berliner Zeitung had ceased publication, depriving von der Nuell of exemption. Thus the main part of the case against Furtwängler collapsed because a man, either dead or missing, who himself might have been a denazification defendant, could not be found, and no one else knew facts or would tell. Toward the end it seemed as though the denazification Tribunal accepted the thesis that if Furtwängler was unsuccessful in his efforts to have the critic punished, then he was innocent, and that if Karajan actually was not as great a conductor as the critic said, then the efforts were not justified. It soon became apparent that this tall, bald-headed old man with a fringe white hair, would be acquitted.

On strict rules of evidence of a United States' Court it is more than probable he would have been acquitted. Yet throughout the case his attitude was scarcely that of an opponent of nazism, despite his statements for the record. He consistently referred to Hitler as "der Führer" and used the official Nazi epithet in references to the Weimar Republic. The very term, Weimar Republic, was banned by Hitler with the word "Systemzeit" (*), substituted, and this was the word Furtwängler used, until one member of the Court sharply interjected: "Would you mind stop using this Nazi expression? It is something we all want to forget". Furtwängler replied: "Oh, was that a Nazi phrase? I was unaware of it."

The next time, in heavily accepted, almost sarcastic tones, he used the word "Weimar Republic", whereupon the audience that packed the court room seemed vastly amused. Another member of the court angrily inquired the reason for mirth, saying: "What is the reason for this silly laughter? The audience appears to be still somewhat spoiled."

* "Systemzeit" was the negative term used by the Nazis when talking about the Weimar Republic

Still takes bows

Character witnesses produced much testimony of Furtwängler refusal to act in a propaganda film. One critic, Werner Fiedler, wrote an unfavorable review of the film in question in which Richard Strauss substituted for Furtwängler, and immediately, he testified, he was called in by the conductor for a discussion of the necessity of criticism in general. However, he said, Furtwängler finally agreed that criticism is necessary if Art is to survive. At the trial's close, Furtwängler rose, tall, slender, self-confident and with the air of a gothic Jesus, and addressed his admirers in the court room: "I don't regret having done his for Germans and for Germany. I knew it was worthwhile to take."

This curtain speech brought enthusiastic applause which he acknowledged with several bows as in the old days. He has gone to Switzerland to await review by the Allied Kommandatura of the decision in his case. Earlier, he said his one desire was to clear his name, not conduct, but now associates say he meant he did not want to be permanent conductor of the Philharmonic, just to have ten or so guest appearances a year.

Clark is wrong in saying that Hans von Benda is the defense witness; on the contrary, he was a witness of the accusation in his quality as member of the Nazi party!

As far as Furtwängler's assisting Jewish musicians, there were several musicians and members of their families present on the second day of the trial, all testifying for Furtwängler. A member of the tribunal earlier had tried to establish that Furtwängler had intervened only for famous figures such as Klemperer, Bruno Walter and Schoenberg. Particularly specific refutation came from Mark Leuschner, violinist: "Furtwängler intervened on my behalf before he knew anything about me as an artist. He continued to protect me for four more years. In fact, he gave me unlimited protection. After every rehearsal and every concert, he was besieged by people in my position. It was very dangerous for him but he helped us in spite of this."

In the von-der-Nüll case, the critic was not listed as a prisoner of war in Belgium, and evidence brought forward proved that there had been no connection between Furtwängler's protest of May 1939 and van der Nüll's later induction into military service. Dr. Julius Kapp, the press chief of the Berlin State Opera before the war, testified as to the real motive of the campaign. One Dr. Westphal, a personal friend of van der Nüll, testified that van der Nüll himself had told him that the Goering ministry was behind the campaign. Werner Fiedler, a prominent Berlin theatre critic, testified that it was no secret in press circles but the most important and detailed testimony was given by a former colleague on the same newspaper, Frau Anneliese Wiener. Mrs. Wiener, a non-Aryan in the Hitler years, declared: « Von der Nüll wished not only to write reviews but to influence musical life and give direction to it by his controversial opinions. In the Third Reich, this was almost impossible when one was not protected "from above"... Furtwängler he characterised to me again and again as a conductor who 'belonged to the previous generation' but in his own eyes, must be more or less to realise that 'his time had passed' and that people like Karajan now had their turn to succeed Furtwängler. Von der Nüll frequently told me that this 'fight for Karajan and fight against Furtwängler' were inseparable and were carried on with the support of the circles around Hermann Goering. In this situation, it is only too understandable that Furtwängler was obliged to interpret as a personal affront the massive and crude attacks against him which were concomitant with excessive praise of Karajan. To silence a local critic was far from his mind; having such an international reputation, he did not need to do this. But this was not a question of one critic but a campaign of a dictatorial group against him."

Mrs. Anneliese Wiener added: "Von der Nüll did not go to the front but took over the leadership of a Luftwaffe service-centre. His work there consisted, as far as I know, in organising entertainments for troops. He held this position in Berlin for nearly the entire duration of the war and applied voluntarily for front-line duty in 1945." She nominated too the Berlin concert agent Körtling who had found von der Nüll dead after the fighting in Potsdam. Regarding the use of the word Systemzeit, she said: "The word is considerably older than the Nazi era. I can remember very well hearing this word spoken by older people in the years after the first world war. It was a popular and automatic word."

At last, the Verhoeven film is a falsified history of the Berlin Philharmonic made under the special patronage of Goebbels. Werner Fiedler gave a so scathing review that the director of the film Paul Verhoeven demanded that Fiedler be arrested. Furtwängler was so delighted with Fiedler's review of this distasteful film that he asked to see him: the discussion took place in the latter days of December 1944, when both men were in personal danger.

19 April 1947

Germans absolve Dr. Furtwängler, by Kathleen McLaughlin

Only official stamps are lacking at the moment to return the renowned conductor Dr. Wilhelm Furtwängler to the podium after his acquittal as a Nazi collaborator. This formality, it is expected, will not be delayed beyond the beginning of next year. His acquittal by a German commission was ratified two days ago by the Allied Kommandatura, it was learned tonight.

Dr. Furtwängler's first performance in his former role as conductor of the Berlin Philharmonic will be held under United States auspices later this season, it was predicted, probably in July. Yehudi Menuhin, world-famed violinist, will give the first of a series of concerts by United States artists in Germany under the baton of Dr. Furtwängler. It was reliably reported that Mr. Menuhin had made this a condition of his acceptance of an invitation to inaugurate the series.

No more controversial public figure that Dr. Furtwängler has yet been involved in the wide-spread denazification program in Germany. His opponents and protagonists on both sides of the Atlantic have been numerous and aggressive. Special protests raised against his future appearances in the United States were led by friends of music here. While considerable bitterness has been generated throughout Germany as a result of his trial before a German denazification tribunal, the majority of Germans advocated his return to his former post. His pre-eminent position in the German music world and his tremendous international reputation had endeared him to the public here, which was loath to lose his leadership regardless of his admitted association with the Nazi regime.

His opponents were mainly anti-Nazi elements. They contend that his restoration to public life as a conductor will have an adverse reaction on the entire program of prosecution of Nazi activists and inject an atmosphere of insincerity that cannot be justified or rationalized.

Dr. Furtwängler already has been notified privately of his forthcoming acquittal and has acknowledged that he was awaiting only this word before accepting handsome contracts with the BBC and in the United States.

29 April 1947

Furtwängler cleared - Allies in Berlin rule conductor may resume podium at once.

Berlin. The four-power Allied Kommandatura that governs Berlin ruled today that Dr. Furtwängler, veteran symphonic conductor, might resume his musical activities immediately. The Kommandatura's denazification committee approved the verdict of a German court that last December cleared the 61-yearr-old conductor of charges that he cooperated with the Nazis. Herr Furtwängler was reported living at his villa in southern Switzerland, where he had spent most of his time since the war. The ruling ended eighteen months of squabbling over Herr Furtwängler's right to return to the concert stage. Russian authorities announced his clearance on several occasions, only to have the United States Military Government demand his case go through regular channels. United States opposition ended when a Berlin denazification tribunal found him innocent four months ago.