Herbert von Karajan's 100th birthday

Herbert von Karajan's 100th birthday

HERBERT VON KARAJAN
(born April 5, 1908 in Salzburg, died July 16, 1989 in Anif/Salzburg)


The man's name is inseparably linked with Salzburg in the mind of the world. No, not Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart but someone who is still fresh in our recent memory. Herbert von Karajan, a conductor with a unique status, bonded with Salzburg, where he was born in 1908, throughout his life, shaping and even dominating cultural life in Mozart's city with his own imprint.

2008 will be the year the music world celebrates Herbert von Karajan's 100th birthday, to be commemorated by exhibitions, concerts and new editions of his legacy on records and videos.

But what is left of Karajan in his hometown? Walking on the promenade past the Hotel Sacher to the Makart Bridge, a life-size bronze statue can be found in the small park in front of the Raiffeisenbank, crafted years ago by the sculptor, Anna Chromy, and unveiled in the presence of Karajan's widow,  Eliette, and an ensemble from the Berlin Philharmonic Orchestra. A commemorative plaque on the Raiffeisen building indicates that Karajan was born here on April 5, 1908. In the meantime the city of Salzburg has honored its famous son by calling a large square that affords access the Large Festival Hall, where the maestro literally "reigned" for decades, the Herbert von Karajan Square.

The world was shocked to learn of Karajan's death on July 16, 1989. Up to his death he had worked with John Huston at the Salzburg Festival, carrying his hallmark characteristics for so many years, for the Festival's premiere of Verdi's opera Un ballo in maschera. The conductor died just days before the promising premiere in Anif, where he had lived for many years and could be at one with nature. His private funeral was also held in Anif. His grave with its modest, wrought iron cross has become a pilgrimage site for Karajan fans from around the world, particularly from the Far East. Flowers from anonymous visitors decorate the grave. The cemetery attendant even needs to replace soil visitors have clandestinely taken as a souvenir of the great conductor. The township of Anif set up a bust, also by Anna Chromy, in front of the cemetery calling attention to its honorary citizen.

Meanwhile times have passed since record companies made sure their stars were introduced and advertised to the public by placing their portraits in Salzburg's shop windows during the Festival season. Karajan everywhere was the strategy in the 1980s. There was hardly a place where the famous countenance with its silver-grey, well-kempt hair could not be found. Everyone knew Herbert von Karajan, countless anecdotes – whether fact or fiction – made the rounds. Karajan was part of the "public domain." Today music fans still recognize Karajan in ads, even if only a pair of hands and a baton are visible.

The conductor not only had a powerful influence on the music scene for years on end but also pressed ahead with the development of music documentation. This had nothing to do with vanity, as malicious tongues claimed, but with his wish to leave a great legacy to the world. Striving for the highest standards of quality, Karajan's curiosity and energy during the last years of his life induced him to store and document musical works of art – usually under his direction – for posterity. Karajan became the musical memory of the world, from which the record industry still profits to this day.

Given the vast quantity of new releases in the CD sector (one of Karajan's most successful projects in collaboration with his elite Japanese friends at the top of the industry), classical music fans still buy a Karajan CD blindly, relying on the fact that Karajan recordings feature the highest standard available, even if the recordings are years old.

Apart from the fact that the recordings were the state-of-the-art at the time of their release, the world star at the conductor's stand easily rallied the biggest names in the classical music business, the glamorous stars from the international world of opera round him. Unparalleled opera recordings and the great romantic symphonies were part of his repertoire. Herbert von Karajan recorded countless unsurpassed works of orchestra literature with his luxurious concept of sound.  A special gift of extracting beautiful sounds from an orchestra combined with precision, an infallible feeling for rhythm and dynamics, but above all his instinct and his unwavering stylistic assurance for the best possible effect – these were Karajan's trademarks. The perfectionist's style is still an inspiring example for many epigones at the podium today. With respect to stylistic issues, however, Karajan has slightly been pushed aside by the original sound movement and authenticity researchers. Countless trends have prompted new listening forms and music-making movements.

Coming back to Herbert von Karajan and Salzburg: Apart from the fact that countless admirers still live in the city of Salzburg who witnessed the maestro conducting superb concerts and operas in the exclusive ambiance of the Festival Hall, Karajan has achieved cult status in the city on the Salzach. Numerous books were published after his death and the Karajan recordings of Mozart's operas, particularly the personally produced Richard Strauss and Richard Wagner operas, are an absolute must for record collectors. It is not surprising that the best-selling classical CD of all time was recorded by Karajan: his recording of Vivaldi's Four Seasons starring the very young violinist, Anne-Sophie Mutter. As many other superstars of the classic genre, Anne-Sophie Mutter was one of the discoveries of Karajan, the patron of the arts.

The Herbert von Karajan Center with many initiatives related to the promotion of new talents was established in the 1990s across from the Vienna State Opera, where Herbert von Karajan worked as a director for many years, signing on many international opera stars. Michael Dewitte, managing director of Salzburg's Easter Festival initially established by Karajan, is in the process of building up a new center in Salzburg. It should serve as a center for all of the maestro's fans during the 2008 Karajan year.

For more information:

Eliette und Herbert von Karajan Institut
Mag. Barbara Diesner
Presse & Öffentlichkeitsarbeit

Getreidegasse 31 / 3. Stock
A- 5020 Salzburg
Tel.: +43/662 - 84 11 11 / 11
Fax: +43/662 - 84 32 99

E-mail: barbara.diesner@karajan.org
http://www.karajan.org/


Tourismus Salzburg GmbH
Maria Altendorfer, Tel.: +43/662/889 87 - 500, Email: altendorfer@salzburg.info
Mag. Daniela Kinz, Tel.: +43/662/889 87 - 301, Email: kinz@salzburg.info

Auerspergstraße 6
A-5020 Salzburg
Tel.: +43/662/889 87 - 0
Fax: +43/662/889 87 - 32

Email: tourist@salzburg.info
http://www.salzburg.info/