Treasurable recordings from the 1970s and early 1980s, this 3 CD package set from Deutsche Grammophon is Herbert von Karajan in familiar territory, displaying his love for the lighter side of classical music repertoire. From Mozart to Prokofiev, Bizet to Respighi.

This month marked the 25th anniversary of Herbert von Karajan's death (July 16 1989). But even 25 years after his death, Herbert von Karajan remains one of the world's most successful classical-music stars with around 300 million sales of recordings per year. He performed some 700 works by around 130 composers.  

 He was one of the greatest and most influential conductors of the 20th century, but there was some controversy as well.  

Karajan left a very large legacy of recordings of a uniformly high artistic standard.  He is the top-selling conductor of all-time.  Although he did conduct some other orchestras, Karajan is most closely associated with the Berlin Philharmonic, of which he was made “music director for life” in 1955.  There are also important recordings he made with the Philharmonia Orchestra of London after the Second World War, and more with the Vienna Philharmonic toward the end of his life when his relationship the the Berlin orchestra became strained.

Karajan was certainly a man who wanted to be influential and wield power.  At the height of his influence in the late 1950s and early 1960s, he acquired the nickname, the “general music director of Europe” when he led the Berlin Philharmonic, The Philharmonia, the Vienna State Opera, La Scala in Milan, and the Salzburg Festival.

One of the areas of controversy surrounding the Austrian composer has to do with his artistic interpretation and temperament.  Karajan was able to create an amazingly beautiful and uniform orchestral sound, both sleek and powerful, emotionally moving and thrilling to many listeners.  His command of the orchestra was never in doubt, both technically and artistically.  Some people, however, found it too calculated and mannered.  The debate goes on because, in spite of newer trends in orchestral interpretations and conducting styles, people still listen to his recordings.

Tune in to Classic 107 throughout the week as we feature tracks from this set of recordings. You could win a $25 gift card from McNally Robinson Booksellers just for listening!