Herbert von Karajan

Herbert von Karajan (1908-1989) was an Austrian conductor. He was one of the most celebrated and influential conductors of the 20th century, and is considered to be one of the greatest conductors of all time.

Karajan was born in Salzburg, Austria, on April 5, 1908. He studied music at the Mozarteum in Salzburg, and made his conducting debut in 1929. He quickly rose to prominence, and in 1935 became the general music director of the Aachen Opera. In 1937, he was appointed the general music director of the Berlin State Opera, a position he held until 1945.

After the war, Karajan continued to conduct in Europe and the United States. He was the music director of the Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra from 1956 to 1964, and the artistic director of the Salzburg Festival from 1957 to 1964. In 1965, he became the music director of the Berlin Philharmonic Orchestra, a position he held until his death in 1989.

Karajan was known for his intense and passionate conducting style. He was also a perfectionist, and demanded the highest standards from his musicians. He was a prolific recording artist, and his recordings of classical music are among the most popular and acclaimed in history.

Karajan died in Anif, Austria, on July 16, 1989. He was 81 years old. He is survived by his wife, Eliette von Karajan, and their three children.

Legacy

Herbert von Karajan is considered to be one of the greatest conductors of all time. He was a master of interpretation, and his performances were always characterized by their intensity, passion, and attention to detail. He was also a gifted teacher, and many of his students went on to become successful conductors themselves.

Karajan's legacy is vast and far-reaching. He helped to popularize classical music around the world, and his recordings continue to be enjoyed by millions of people. He also played a major role in the development of the modern symphony orchestra.

Awards and honors

Herbert von Karajan received numerous awards and honors during his lifetime. Some of the most notable include:

• The Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award (1989)
• The Ernst von Siemens Music Prize (1985)
• The Grand Cross of the Order of Merit of the Federal Republic of Germany (1984)
• The Austrian Medal for Science and Art (1967)
• The Royal Philharmonic Society Gold Medal (1958)

Recordings

Herbert von Karajan made over 1,000 recordings during his lifetime. Some of his most famous recordings include:

• Beethoven's Symphony No. 9 (1962)
• Mozart's The Magic Flute (1970)
• Wagner's Tristan und Isolde (1972)
• Verdi's La Traviata (1977)
• Puccini's Tosca (1985)

Books

Herbert von Karajan wrote several books about music and conducting. Some of his most notable books include:

• Music and Language (1970)
• About Conducting (1985)
• The Joy of Music (1989)

Films

Herbert von Karajan appeared in several films about music and conducting. Some of his most notable films include:

• The Magic Flute (1975)
• Tristan und Isolde (1979)
• La Traviata (1983)