July 16, 2009-20th Anniversary of Karajan's Death

[~Linda~]

Recently, a visitor to the website asked me if I knew of any events planned to commemorate the 20th anniversary of Karajan's death on 16th July.

I had to say that I knew of no such commemorations but I wonder if any member of the Forum is aware of anything happening. Personally, I feel that the events in 2008 have probably reduced the incentive to mark the death anniversary this year.


Best wishes

Linda

[gp1972]

I'm going to be in Salzburg the week after the anniversary so I'll miss it. Will report back on any events I am aware of!

[Rosy]

I would have wanted to be in Anif for 20th Anniversary of Karajan's Dead; unfortunately it is not possible, and so I will listen to Masonic Funeral Music, by Mozart, because when Karajan died, the Wiener Philharmoniker performed this touching piece without conductor.

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Rosy

[~Linda~]

15th July 2009

Because it is the 20th Anniversary of Karajan's Death on 16th July Rosy has paid for the Forum to be Ad-Free for the rest of the month of July 2009 for both members and guests.

Thank you very much Rosy!

[john]

Bravo Rosy.

The Karajan Centrum Salzburg Website appears to have been updated, they have a request e-mail section which may or may not offer any response.
However, they do say that Testament Records will shortly be releasing some previously un-published HVK works.

John

[Catalin N. R.]

Today, July 16th 2009, we commemorate 20 years since Herbert von Karajan's death.
May the Lord God rest him in peace! We won't forget you, Maestro...

[Deleted]

My choice for today will be the Alpensinfonie - the first CD ever to be pressed!

The Philharmonie lighting effects in the DVD version is very interesting. Any other concerts that included lighting tricks?

[Rosy]

Hi Tjh,
excellent choice!

Yes, there is the Symphony N° 6, Pastorale, by Beethoven, DVD Unitel-DG directed by Ugo Niebeling

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Rosy

[Deleted]

Thank you for the Pastoral suggestion!

Would the forum share their recollections of July 16, 1989? I heard the news on the classical radio station in L.A. (now no longer exist. However, fortunately now there are 3 other classical stations in southern Calif. The host on one of these, unfortunately, is a K detractor, and appears in "A Life in Music"). I just started classical music at that time and had just one set of K recording - LvB 8 and 9 (1977) on 2 cassettes. Amazingly, I still feel the analog quality is better than the CD version. I look in vain for the string tone on other K recordings. The SuperAudio version of the 9th is a bit closer in quality.

I once asked Peter Schreier back stage, after getting his autograph on the LvB 9 liner notes, about his feelings on working with K. Unfortunately I don't speak German!

[lee]

Good day Everyone

Yes, I remember Sunday 16th July 1989 very well. A friend telephoned me mid afternoon to break the news of the Maestro's death; I remember Michael Buerke announcing it on the early evening BBC News too, which he did most eloquently. In honour of HvK, I turned the CD player off that day after having only played the Funeral March from the live 1970 Gotterdammerung in memorium.

Today I shall play the Asrael Symphony, Asrael being the angel of death. It is a work that I have long felt that HvK would have done extraordinarily well, but on this occasion it shall be the recording conducted by Talich, a conductor held in high esteem by Karajan himself.

With best regards to all, Lee

[thitch]

As I've done for the last few years, my tradition on this day is to listen to some of the Maestro's recordings (perhaps this year the disc from The Music The Legend CD/DVD combo) and watch the Karajan Memorial Concert from Salzburg Cathedral, 16 July 1999, conducted by Claudio Abbado. The Mozart Requiem is the main item on the program - the DVD is currently available on Art Haus DVD.

Tim.

[Catalin N. R.]

Dear Linda,

I quote from the official Karajan site (www.karajan.org):

"On Sunday, July 19th 2009 at 10.15 a.m. during a commemorative service in Salzburg Cathedral, Herbert von Karajan will be remembered in a solemn high mass.
Furthermore, on the occasion of the 20th anniversary of Herbert von Karajan’s death, the British label Testament Records will issue previously unknown Karajan recordings."

Best wishes,
Catalin

[Catalin N. R.]

Hi Tim,

Yesterday I was very busy. However, in the evening, I have listened Brahms' Symphony No. 2, the Masonic Funeral Music by Mozart and Metamorphosen by Richard Strauss, conducted by Karajan. The Metamorphosen were really extraordinary, and fitted the funereal moment.

Best,
Catalin

[lee]

Hi Everyone

Testament's website is giving details of these new releases, which are Beethoven's Pastoral Symphony, coupled with Ein Heldenleben and a further release of a Mozart's Divertimento No 15, coupled with The Rite of Spring. I think these are the London concerts from 1973, which I believe David went to - if they are half as good as the other, live, Testament releases, then we are in for a treat !

With best regards, Lee

[Rosy]

Jul 17, 2009 9:17:54 GMT 1 Catalin N. R. said:

I have listened Brahms' Symphony No. 2, the Masonic Funeral Music by Mozart and Metamorphosen by Richard Strauss, conducted by Karajan. The Metamorphosen were really extraordinary, and fitted the funereal moment.

I adore these three pieces! Metamorphosen by R. Strauss, is a sadly wonderful music and it is very appropriate: over the collapse of the civilization, there is the farewell to beauty; we can hear the echo of the Eroica until the end. "In memoriam", Strauss wrote so. One of the pieces most dear to the Maestro Herbert von Karajan.

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Rosy