Karajan's Magic and Myth

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.

Main Cast

Plácido Domingo

Self

Age : 83 | Popularity : 26%

Anne-Sophie Mutter

Self

Age : 61 | Popularity : 22%

Jessye Norman

Self

Age : 74 | Popularity : 10%

James Galway

Self

Age : 84 | Popularity : 10%

Mark Elder

Self

Age : N/A | Popularity : 2%

Neville Marriner

Self

Age : N/A | Popularity : 0%

Nikolaus Harnoncourt

Self

Age : 86 | Popularity : 12%

Ernst Wild

Self

Age : N/A | Popularity : 5%

Crew

Department	Role	Name
Editing	Editor	Phil Reynolds
Directing	Director	John Bridcut
Production	Executive Producer	Philip Armstrong Dampier
Writing	Writer	John Bridcut
Department	Role	Name

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