Hey all,
I was just wondering what everything thinks of Karajan. I, personally, regard him as one of the greatest conductors and my conducting idol. As an aspiring conductor as well as trumpeter (I can't choose between these two passions, so I figure, why not do both?
), I find his recordings electrifying and exciting to listen to. I recently downloaded his 1812 Overture from iTunes. IT HAS A CHOIR OPENING! I never would have even thought of that. Just when you think you know a piece (I have to have listened to my Boston Pops recording of it under Lockhart a million times), here comes a recording that proves you wrong! This well known piece seems new and eerie in a way.
I've read some stuff on Karajan, and recently ordered Richard Osbourne's "Herbert von Karajan: A Life in Music" (it should be here soon, I hope, as I can't wait to read it), and I can see that many people have very different opinions on him. What're all your thoughts?
Jeff