Herbert Von Karajan: A Film By Robert Dornhelm

Herbert von Karajan - Conductor, Anne-Sophie Mutter - Violin, Christa Ludwig - Mezzo-soprano, Rene Kollo - Tenor

Wholenote Discoveries - October 2009
Finally, there is a 92 minute video portrait of Herbert von Karajan that shows the iconic conductor, warts and all. KARAJAN, a film by Robert Dornhelm, proves to be the most interesting, informative and thorough of the many Karajan DVD biographies. Here are historic films, interviews with colleagues, commenting on the many facets of conductor’s career from his rise to his final days and death. We hear from Solti, Schwarzkopf, Mutter, Ozawa, Janowitz, Kollo, Ludwig, Rattle, Thiemann, and others. There are many rehearsals, always serious but sometimes making his point with humour. The production ends with a falcon high in the air over the mountains. Although it is not mentioned here, Karajan once said that he wished to “come back” as a falcon. Highly recommended to those interested in the subject. Bruce Surtees

Robert Dornhelm’s recent one-and-one-half hour documentary Karajan or Beauty as I See It lets the historic footage and interviews with prominent musicians who worked closely with Karajan speak for themselves. Dornhelm presents a well-rounded portrait of Karajan. So it is disappointing that he skims so lightly over key controversies in Karajan’s career, such as his ties to the Nazis, his later problems with the Berlin players and, above all, his distinctive orchestral sound, which today remains the most important aspect of his legacy.
- excerpt from Wholenote Magazine review, July 2008
This new documentary from Oscar-nominated director Robert Dornhelm is the most ambitious attempt yet to illuminate the life and art of legendary conductor Herbert von Karajan. With Extensive archive footage, some never before seen, and interviews with Anne-sophie mutter, Gundula Janowitz, Rene Kollo, Christa Ludwig, Seiki Ozawa, Simon rattle, Christian Thielemann, and Helmut Schmidt, here is a unique, revealing portrait of this complex and sometimes controversial figure.

Price: $18.98