Herbert von Karajan
Austrian conductor, Berlin Philharmonic leader for 34 years.
Herbert von Karajan was an Austrian conductor who served as principal conductor of the Berlin Philharmonic for 34 years.
- field
- Classical music conducting
- nationality
- Austrian
- known_for
- Principal conductor of the Berlin Philharmonic for 34 years; sold an estimated 200 million records
Lore & Background
Herbert von Karajan was born in Salzburg, Austria-Hungary, to a family of Greek ancestry. He studied at the Mozarteum in Salzburg and later at the Vienna Academy. He conducted at the Berlin State Opera during World War II and was listed on the Gottbegnadeten list of artists exempt from mobilisation.
Reader's Guide
Herbert von Karajan's significance lies in his long tenure as principal conductor of the Berlin Philharmonic and his massive recording output, which by one estimate sold 200 million records. He was a controversial figure due to his Nazi Party membership and his silence about it after the war. Karajan's legacy is that of a technically brilliant conductor who shaped orchestral sound and recording standards, but his career during the Nazi period remains a subject of historical debate. He is generally regarded as one of the greatest conductors of the 20th century.
Did You Know?
- By one estimate, he sold 200 million records during his lifetime.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is Herbert von Karajan?
Herbert von Karajan was an Austrian classical music conductor who became one of the most dominant figures in European orchestral performance from the mid-1950s onward. He is best remembered for his long tenure leading the Berlin Philharmonic and his prolific recording career.
How long was Karajan principal conductor of the Berlin Philharmonic?
He held that position for 34 years, making it one of the longest continuous tenures in the orchestra's history. His leadership defined the ensemble's sound and international reputation for decades.
How many records did Herbert von Karajan sell?
An estimated 200 million of his recordings have been sold worldwide. This made him one of the most commercially successful classical musicians of the twentieth century.
What controversy surrounds Karajan's career?
His activities and associations during the Nazi era in Germany remain a subject of debate among music historians and fans. Critics point to his continued prominence in German cultural life after World War II as evidence that he benefited from that period.
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