google.com
http://www.karajan.org
http://www.nndb.com/people/511/000164019/
http://www.karajan.co.uk
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Herbert_von_Karajan
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wirtschaftswunder
http://www.salzburgerfestspiele.at/en/history
Spielvogel, Western Civilization Thomson Learning, Inc. 2003
Friday, April 15, 2011
Herbert von Karajan conducts The Blue Danube Waltz
July 23rd, 1989
Hello readers,
My husband Herbert von Karajan passed away about a week ago.
Yes, it is very sad, but I ask you not to be too sad.
As his last wife, I will try my best to preserve what he has done.
Here is one of his performances in video.
Please remember my dear husband's passion and hard work.
Thank you all for your support.
Sincerely, Elitte von Karajan
Hello readers,
My husband Herbert von Karajan passed away about a week ago.
Yes, it is very sad, but I ask you not to be too sad.
As his last wife, I will try my best to preserve what he has done.
Here is one of his performances in video.
Please remember my dear husband's passion and hard work.
Thank you all for your support.
Sincerely, Elitte von Karajan
Auf wiedersehen, Berliner Philharmoniker! (Good Bye, Berlin Philharmonic)
April 1989
How can I not forget April 8th 1938? It was the first day I stood on podium with the Berlin Philharmonic.
Another memorable time is year of 1955, when I became its music director. Since then, my musical life has been mostly devoted with this orchestra.
In total, I had approximately 1520 performances with Berlin Philharmonics.
More than three decades passed. I and fellow musicians of the orchestra went through the economic miracle, actual separation of Germany, downturn of economy, as well as different countries in Europe, North America, and Asia. We were recorded and filmed for very many times.
Ah, so many experiences and memories.
But now, I have decided that it is time for me to step down from the podium. Maybe I should have done it earlier. I had to cancel performances quite frequently since last year due to my weakened health. I was almost kicked out from the position by the city of Berlin, but graciously, the senate voted to keep me for some more time.
I personally did not want this time to come. I tried my best to keep up with it, but I think now I have to admit my old age and bad health.
Thank you, fellow musicians, and all my supporters. Because of you, I have lived a happy and honorable life.
Auf wiedersehen, Berliner Philharmoniker!
How can I not forget April 8th 1938? It was the first day I stood on podium with the Berlin Philharmonic.
Another memorable time is year of 1955, when I became its music director. Since then, my musical life has been mostly devoted with this orchestra.
In total, I had approximately 1520 performances with Berlin Philharmonics.
More than three decades passed. I and fellow musicians of the orchestra went through the economic miracle, actual separation of Germany, downturn of economy, as well as different countries in Europe, North America, and Asia. We were recorded and filmed for very many times.
Ah, so many experiences and memories.
But now, I have decided that it is time for me to step down from the podium. Maybe I should have done it earlier. I had to cancel performances quite frequently since last year due to my weakened health. I was almost kicked out from the position by the city of Berlin, but graciously, the senate voted to keep me for some more time.
I personally did not want this time to come. I tried my best to keep up with it, but I think now I have to admit my old age and bad health.
Thank you, fellow musicians, and all my supporters. Because of you, I have lived a happy and honorable life.
Auf wiedersehen, Berliner Philharmoniker!
Classical Music, Stay Alive!
April 10th 1968
I recently turned sixty; another decade of my life has begun. I realize how I have been changed from a young piano prodigy to a Nazi Member, to a worldly renowned conductor.
I am not the only one that has changed. Companion of my life, music also changed, and is still changing in many different ways. Nowadays, the world of music is dominated by not Classical music, but a variety of popular musics such as jazz and rock-and-roll.
Nevertheless, Classical music itself has been changing and developing. Atonality was introduced by Schonberg. Atonality continuously developed to serialism. Serial musics are atonal and emphasize mathematical precision rather than expression of different emotions. Serialism was followed by minimalism which is more tonal.
Concert halls and reciatals are no longer only places where Classical musics are being publicized. Classical musics are being used as background musics for documentaries and movies. Koyaanisqatsi by Philp Glass is one of examples. Thus, it gives Classical music a quality of popular music. I have very positive perspective toward this trend, because I believe it is very important to keep the Classical music, despite emergence of new kinds of musics that attract people.
One of things I do with enthusiasm to popularize Classical music is involvement with Salzburg Festival.
I have been working as its artistic director since 1960. So far, stage and auditorium have been enlarged allowing more visitors. It became more international as well. Globally known musicians are invited to the festival.
I will continue to work hard for Classical music so it can stay alive on people's minds.
I recently turned sixty; another decade of my life has begun. I realize how I have been changed from a young piano prodigy to a Nazi Member, to a worldly renowned conductor.
I am not the only one that has changed. Companion of my life, music also changed, and is still changing in many different ways. Nowadays, the world of music is dominated by not Classical music, but a variety of popular musics such as jazz and rock-and-roll.
Nevertheless, Classical music itself has been changing and developing. Atonality was introduced by Schonberg. Atonality continuously developed to serialism. Serial musics are atonal and emphasize mathematical precision rather than expression of different emotions. Serialism was followed by minimalism which is more tonal.
Concert halls and reciatals are no longer only places where Classical musics are being publicized. Classical musics are being used as background musics for documentaries and movies. Koyaanisqatsi by Philp Glass is one of examples. Thus, it gives Classical music a quality of popular music. I have very positive perspective toward this trend, because I believe it is very important to keep the Classical music, despite emergence of new kinds of musics that attract people.
One of things I do with enthusiasm to popularize Classical music is involvement with Salzburg Festival.
I have been working as its artistic director since 1960. So far, stage and auditorium have been enlarged allowing more visitors. It became more international as well. Globally known musicians are invited to the festival.
I will continue to work hard for Classical music so it can stay alive on people's minds.
Thursday, April 14, 2011
"Wirtschaftswunder (Economic Miracle)"
December 31st 1960
Happy surprise, my readers! I am conducting in public again!
I can proudly write about my career.
Currently, I am working as a music director for both Berlin Philharmonic and Vienna State Opera. During the last decade, concerts were held not only in Europe, but around the globe. I have been to United States, Canada, Hong Kong, Japan, Argentina, Cuba and many other countries.
I am quite demanding to my colleague musicians, so things get stressful at times, but I have been truly enjoying my career. Conducting different composers' musics with different groups of musicians, and traveling around the world are indeed priceless experiences.
Yes, part of reason why this was possible is my talent and passion, but also economic growth of West Germany and Austria.
Just twenty years ago, Europe, especially Germany was the most chaotic place in the world. Bombs were dropped and people lost their lives daily. Just fifteen years ago, Germany was an abyss. It was divided and torn apart.
Who knew in such a short time, it will be so prosperous again? As many people say, it is a miracle!
Increase in wage and decrease in unemployment are dramatic. Even workers are being invited from neighboring countries.
It not only affects workers and citizens, but musicians' and my own life.
We are not working to get just ration food and keep up with daily lives anymore. We can actually enjoy our lives. Thus, quality of performance is being improved much more. Also, it means more audience!
As I am facing new year, I am very hopeful and excited!
Happy surprise, my readers! I am conducting in public again!
I can proudly write about my career.
Currently, I am working as a music director for both Berlin Philharmonic and Vienna State Opera. During the last decade, concerts were held not only in Europe, but around the globe. I have been to United States, Canada, Hong Kong, Japan, Argentina, Cuba and many other countries.
I am quite demanding to my colleague musicians, so things get stressful at times, but I have been truly enjoying my career. Conducting different composers' musics with different groups of musicians, and traveling around the world are indeed priceless experiences.
Yes, part of reason why this was possible is my talent and passion, but also economic growth of West Germany and Austria.
Just twenty years ago, Europe, especially Germany was the most chaotic place in the world. Bombs were dropped and people lost their lives daily. Just fifteen years ago, Germany was an abyss. It was divided and torn apart.
Who knew in such a short time, it will be so prosperous again? As many people say, it is a miracle!
Increase in wage and decrease in unemployment are dramatic. Even workers are being invited from neighboring countries.
It not only affects workers and citizens, but musicians' and my own life.
We are not working to get just ration food and keep up with daily lives anymore. We can actually enjoy our lives. Thus, quality of performance is being improved much more. Also, it means more audience!
As I am facing new year, I am very hopeful and excited!
Friday, April 8, 2011
Punished, Yet Opportunity Awaits
March 18th 1946
Almost seven months have been passed since the World War II ended. Ah, finally it's ended after killing 12 million people.
Not only issues with the war, but many things happened regarding my life. I divorced with Elmy Holgerloef, and married Anita Guetermann in 1942. I moved my family to Italy recently. The latest news of my life is that I am being "denazified". I am no longer allowed to conduct in public, just because I was a member of the Nazi Party.
Well, I think I should be grateful since what I get as punishment is just prohibition of conducting, while others are being executed.
But seriously what to do?
Classical music and conducting, they are only purposes of my life.
* * *
April 18th 1946
Another month has passed. I am still prohibited from conducting in public, but I see some hope. I got a job I like! I am even excited!
I met Walter Legge, who works as a producer in a recording studio called EMI Records. I and he arranged recording sessions with Vienna Philharmonic.
Maybe not for a while, but I see great potential of this job. I know power of media. One of reasons why the Nazi Party was so successful in promoting people's support is wise use of media such as radio.
Once recordings are done and go on sale, I will be able to gain so much benefits from it. People will be able to remember me as a conductor who conducted the recordings they listen to. I may not be able to appear in public as a conductor anymore, but I will be remembered by people who listen to my recordings, possibly forever.
Almost seven months have been passed since the World War II ended. Ah, finally it's ended after killing 12 million people.
Not only issues with the war, but many things happened regarding my life. I divorced with Elmy Holgerloef, and married Anita Guetermann in 1942. I moved my family to Italy recently. The latest news of my life is that I am being "denazified". I am no longer allowed to conduct in public, just because I was a member of the Nazi Party.
Well, I think I should be grateful since what I get as punishment is just prohibition of conducting, while others are being executed.
But seriously what to do?
Classical music and conducting, they are only purposes of my life.
* * *
April 18th 1946
Another month has passed. I am still prohibited from conducting in public, but I see some hope. I got a job I like! I am even excited!
I met Walter Legge, who works as a producer in a recording studio called EMI Records. I and he arranged recording sessions with Vienna Philharmonic.
Maybe not for a while, but I see great potential of this job. I know power of media. One of reasons why the Nazi Party was so successful in promoting people's support is wise use of media such as radio.
Once recordings are done and go on sale, I will be able to gain so much benefits from it. People will be able to remember me as a conductor who conducted the recordings they listen to. I may not be able to appear in public as a conductor anymore, but I will be remembered by people who listen to my recordings, possibly forever.
Tuesday, April 5, 2011
Introduction
Welcome to my journal!
My name may not sound familiar to some of you, but I am quite famous in the world of classical music. I am Herbert von Karajan, a conductor of the twentieth century who was recorded the most. Not only that, my recordings are still on sale worldwide.
I was born on April 5th, 1908 in Salzburg, Austria.
I started playing the piano when I was only three. How much I loved it! Although I was a little child, and it is a long, long time ago, I still remember how people gave compliments on my talent.
When I was a teenager, I had a chance to attend a concert in Vienna led by Toscanini. I was so inspired by him, that I decided to pursue conducting rather than piano as my career. Thus, Toscanini was one of my role models.
Since my age of twenty, I worked in the Ulm City Theater for seven years. These seven years were well spent learning how to lead an orchestra.
While I was committed with my career at the Ulm City Theater, there was another thing that attracted me; well many young Germans and Austrians at the time. The Nazi party. I joined it in 1933.
More than anything, Hitler's anti-semitism gave me incredible opportunities because Jewish musicians were forced out from their jobs.
In 1935, I moved to Germany and became a music director in the city of Aachen.
The year of 1938 is one of important years of my life. I started conducting the Berlin State Opera. I made my debut with the Berlin Philharmonic Orchestra. It is the year I made debut in recording as well.
In 1941, I was appointed as a music director of the Berlin State Opera. During this time, I enjoyed great prominence not only because I got good opportunities, but because I was favored by Adolph Hitler. I never resisted against the ideologies of the Nazi and actually supported its policies until 1942, when I married Anita Gueterman, who happened to be a Jewish descent.
After the World War II was over, I spent the next two years in Vienna, making recordings with Walter Legge and Vienna Philharmonic.
At the time, I had rival conductors in Europe such as Furtwangler, Erich Kleiber, and Hans Knappertsbusch. Do you honestly know them? even have heard of their names?
Reason I became so much more famous than these conductors is because I actively made recordings. Power of media is undeniable. My repertoire was diverse as well.
Since 1950's I truly enjoyed my career and life with music until 1989 the year I died. Additionally, I became very very famous as a conductor, not only in Europe but around the globe. It's my great honor that my birthdays are still being celebrated in the world of classical music.
My name may not sound familiar to some of you, but I am quite famous in the world of classical music. I am Herbert von Karajan, a conductor of the twentieth century who was recorded the most. Not only that, my recordings are still on sale worldwide.
I was born on April 5th, 1908 in Salzburg, Austria.
I started playing the piano when I was only three. How much I loved it! Although I was a little child, and it is a long, long time ago, I still remember how people gave compliments on my talent.
When I was a teenager, I had a chance to attend a concert in Vienna led by Toscanini. I was so inspired by him, that I decided to pursue conducting rather than piano as my career. Thus, Toscanini was one of my role models.
Since my age of twenty, I worked in the Ulm City Theater for seven years. These seven years were well spent learning how to lead an orchestra.
While I was committed with my career at the Ulm City Theater, there was another thing that attracted me; well many young Germans and Austrians at the time. The Nazi party. I joined it in 1933.
More than anything, Hitler's anti-semitism gave me incredible opportunities because Jewish musicians were forced out from their jobs.
In 1935, I moved to Germany and became a music director in the city of Aachen.
The year of 1938 is one of important years of my life. I started conducting the Berlin State Opera. I made my debut with the Berlin Philharmonic Orchestra. It is the year I made debut in recording as well.
In 1941, I was appointed as a music director of the Berlin State Opera. During this time, I enjoyed great prominence not only because I got good opportunities, but because I was favored by Adolph Hitler. I never resisted against the ideologies of the Nazi and actually supported its policies until 1942, when I married Anita Gueterman, who happened to be a Jewish descent.
After the World War II was over, I spent the next two years in Vienna, making recordings with Walter Legge and Vienna Philharmonic.
At the time, I had rival conductors in Europe such as Furtwangler, Erich Kleiber, and Hans Knappertsbusch. Do you honestly know them? even have heard of their names?
Reason I became so much more famous than these conductors is because I actively made recordings. Power of media is undeniable. My repertoire was diverse as well.
Since 1950's I truly enjoyed my career and life with music until 1989 the year I died. Additionally, I became very very famous as a conductor, not only in Europe but around the globe. It's my great honor that my birthdays are still being celebrated in the world of classical music.
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