Blu-Ray:
Karajan, Wiener & Berliner Philharmoniker

The present recording thus forms an essential document of two highlights in the last years of the maestro’s life. For the first time available on Blu-ray!

The New Year´s Concert from the Golden Hall of the Musikverein Vienna with the Wiener Philharmoniker is always one of the best-selling classical albums each year. In 1987 Herbert von Karajan conducted his only performance of the New Year´s Concert performing famous pieces from Johann Strauss I, Johann Strauss II, and Josef Strauss. As a soloist in one piece, you can hear the legendary soprano Kathleen Battle.

The New Year´s Eve Concert 1988 was one of the last concerts that Herbert von Karajan gave with the Berliner Philharmoniker in Berlin. For this concert, he invited 17-year-old Evgeny Kissin to his debut with the orchestra. After the concert, the press did raving reviews about Kissin´s musicality and technical skills and he proves till today that he is one of the best pianists of our time.

It was barely half a year after this concert, on July 16, 1989, that Herbert von Karajan passed away. The present recording thus forms an essential document of two highlights in the last years of the maestro’s life. One of many such documents that have made this great conductor immortal.

Original title Karajan, Wiener & Berliner Philharmoniker
Genre Concert
Recording location Golden Hall of the Musikverein Vienna, 1987 & Philharmonie Berlin, 1988
Duration 157 mins
Production Company Telemondial, Sony Music Entertainment
Composer Johann Strauss I, Johann Strauss II, Josef Strauss, Sergeij Prokofiev, Pyotr Ilych Tchaikovsky
Orchestra / Band Wiener Philharmoniker, Berliner Philharmoniker
Conductor Herbert von Karajan
Soloist Kathleen Battle, Evgeny Kissin