Herbert von Karajan

Austrian conductor, pianist and recording artist, the controversial icon of the prestigious Berlin Philharmonic who dominated post-war music in Europe. He made some 900 recordings which have sold more than 150 million copies. Von Karajan is considered the last great conductor of our time, the "Janus" figure of modern music who bridged the 19th and 20th centuries with celebrated precision, unbelievably high standards and an ego that matched his achievement. In the late '50s and '60s, he was simultaneously music director of the Berlin Philharmonic, artistic advisor of La Scala, artistic director of the Salzburg festival, artistic director of the Vienna State Opera and music director of the London Philharmonic. He earned the unofficial title of "General music director of Europe."