von Karajan's last Porsche

[gp1972]

Karajan's last Porsche, a 959, was recently sold. There are some pictures and an interesting history piece on the dealer's website:

www.kidston.com/WORLD-CLASSIC-CAR-EXPERTISE/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=103&Itemid=144

The text refers to a film of Karajan testing the car - I think this might be in "Karajan in Salzburg". I don't think this is available on DVD - is it worth tracking down an old copy on VHS? My copy of the Jessye Norman/Salzburg Wagner CD mentions the film as well - it must have an excerpt on it?

[~Linda~]

Yes there is a section in the "Karajan in Salzburg" film where Karajan tests this Porsche. If you look at the following page of my website there are a couple of screen shots from the film showing the car:

www.karajan.co.uk/cars.html

I believe the reason the number plate is different is that in Germany the licence number belongs to the owner not to the car as in Great Britain.

You are correct when you say that the film is not available in Europe on DVD. I have the film on laserdisc and copied it to DVD so enabling me to take the screen shots.

Filmed during the Salzburg Summer Festival of 1987 it contains rehearsal excerpts from the Jessye Norman concert you mention as well as the complete performance of "Liebestod". Also, there are rehearsal extracts from "Don Giovanni". I would definitely recommend the film although I read somewhere that Karajan himself disliked it.

[darkehmen]

It's a very hit-and-miss film, but the section with the Porsche test-drive is the highlight. That particular excerpt is available on YouTube:

www.youtube.com/watch?v=zmpBbJcOL2o&fmt=18

As Karajan emerges after the drive, he says, "Unbelievable. I mean, it's not a car; it's a plane."

Just a moment later in the film (not shown), there's another fine bit where Eliette gets into the car for a ride. Someone motions to her to buckle her seat belt, and she responds, "Oh, I thought you were making the sign of the cross!"

With the Tannhauser Overture playing and the sunlight shining through the trees, the clip has a truly majestic quality. Pity the rest of the film isn't as good.