Herbert von Karajan (1908-1989) is considered one of the most famous and influential conductors.
He was chief conductor of the Berlin Philharmonic Orchestra for decades and had a lasting influence on classical music. His masterful work and great talent are undisputed - but at the same time, his personality and private life repeatedly came under public scrutiny during his lifetime. His conduct during the National Socialist era in particular has been the subject of repeated criticism, without a comprehensive historical classification having been achieved to date.
Based on numerous sources, some of which have been analyzed for the first time, as well as different perspectives, historian and publicist Michael Wolffsohn draws a differentiated picture of Karajan's life and work during the Nazi era and in the years that followed in his new book "Genius and Conscience - Herbert von Karajan between Music and National Socialism" at the Bergson Academy. The result is a well-founded look at one of the most influential personalities of the 20th century in the field of tension between music, politics and history. Together with the author, we will get to the bottom of the question: To what extent was Karajan involved in the Nazi state?
As part of this academy evening, we will also be showing an iconic recording of Ludwig van Beethoven's Symphony No. 3 in E flat major, Op. 55 "Eroica" from the 1960s, played by the Berlin Philharmonic Orchestra under the direction of Herbert von Karajan. These images reveal the full creative power of the star conductor.
The film has been kindly made available to us by the Unitel Music Foundation.
Admission: 6:30 pm
Start: 7:00 pm
End: 9:00 pm
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