Release Date

05 Dec, 2014

Runtime

01:30: (HH:MM)

Synopsis

Over twenty-five years after his death in July 1989, the controversial Austrian conductor Herbert von Karajan remains an enigma. He was the most successful conductor in the history of classical music. Many of his recordings - of Italian opera, of Wagner and Richard Strauss, of Sibelius, Beethoven and Brahms - are treasured by music lovers around the world. Yet, even at the peak of his fame, his performances were variously criticised for being too opulent, too manicured, lacking warmth or spiritual depth. This musical profile explores the many paradoxes in the life and music of this controversial figure, who forged his international reputation in London with the Philharmonia Orchestra shortly after the end of the Second World War and went on to reign supreme in the classical music world during his three decades with the Berlin Philharmonic. The film also examines Karajan's belief in the visual power of music, and his determination to leave behind a substantial legacy of music on film.

Photos

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Actors

Plácido Domingo

Anne-Sophie Mutter

Jessye Norman

James Galway

Mark Elder

Neville Marriner

Nikolaus Harnoncourt

Ernst Wild

Kathleen Sturdy

Michael Hampe

Simon Rattle

Lore Salzburger

Peter Alward

Andreas Blau

Gunther Breest

Clemens Hellsberg

Hansjorg Schellenberger

Gillian Eastwood

Humphrey Burton

Pierrette Galeone

Peter Carter

Crew

John Bridcut

Phil Reynolds

Philip Armstrong Dampier

John Bridcut