Now available: The Berliner Philharmoniker and Herbert von Karajan
1970–1979 live in Berlin
This edition presents the second part of our series of largely unreleased live recordings of the Berliner Philharmoniker with Herbert von Karajan. The 1970s represent the heyday of the collaboration between the chief conductor and the orchestra, when they had found their feet, and perfected the characteristic Philharmoniker sound. While Karajan’s best-known recordings were mostly made in the studio, these recordings reveal the unique magic of the moment in a live concert.
The hardcover edition, designed by Thomas Scheibitz, includes the recordings on 20 CDs/SACDs (hybrid) and an accompanying book with photos and in-depth essays.
€269
| Release date 30 January 2026 on 20 Hybrid CD/SACD The Berliner Philharmoniker and Herbert von Karajan: 1970–1979 live in Berlin |
| Berlin (10 December 2025) The Berliner Philharmoniker are releasing the second part of its series of mostly previously unreleased radio recordings of live concerts conducted by its long-standing chief conductor Herbert von Karajan. The recordings document all existing recordings of a total of 20 concerts in Berlin from 1970 to 1979, the heyday of the Karajan era with the Berliner Philharmoniker. In addition to providing a fascinating and insightful glimpse into Karajan’s dramaturgy, these recordings also allow listeners to follow their joint artistic development in real time. We also have the opportunity to hear legendary concertmasters Thomas Brandis, Michel Schwalbé and Leon Spierer, as well as principal cellist Ottomar Borwitzky and several of the orchestra’s principal wind players. The recordings were made by Rundfunk im Amerikanischen Sektor (RIAS) and Sender Freies Berlin (SFB). For this edition, the original tapes of these recordings have been digitised in high resolution according to today’s standards and processed to the highest possible quality. |
| This hardcover edition was once again designed by painter and sculptor Thomas Scheibitz. In addition to the recordings on 20 CDs/SACDs (hybrid), it includes an accompanying book with numerous photos and in-depth essays by Karajan biographers Richard Osborne and Peter Uehling, as well as Tobias Möller, editorial director of the Berliner Philharmoniker Foundation, who takes a “Philharmoniker view” of this period. Following the release of radio recordings of concerts with Wilhelm Furtwängler from 1939–1945 and Herbert von Karajan from 1953–1969, this is the third major historical edition from Berliner Philharmoniker Recordings documenting the orchestra’s media history. It will be available from 30 January 2026 at berliner-philharmoniker-recordings.com and from selected specialist retailers. In the foreword to the edition, the orchestra’s two media directors, Philipp Bohnen (violin) and Olaf Maninger (cello) write: “Following the early recordings, this edition now features concerts from the 1970s, when the Berliner Philharmoniker and their chief conductor had really found their feet together and the characteristic sound of this partnership had reached perfection. Whereas Karajan’s famous studio recordings are like timeless monoliths, this series takes us on a voyage into our past. In the present release we are delving into the middle phase of the Karajan era and can sense what concert life was like then — how it felt. The revival of these years of concert life before our ears allows us musicians to experience anew our own connection to former colleagues and their chief conductor. And sharing a special phase of our orchestra’s history with our dear public is one of this edition’s greatest rewards.” Herbert von Karajan made his acclaimed debut conducting the Berliner Philharmoniker in April 1938. Following the death of Wilhelm Furtwängler in 1954, Karajan took over the baton the following year, leading a successful tour of America, and was appointed chief conductor for life in 1956. Until the end of his tenure and his death in 1989, Herbert von Karajan left his mark on the artistic and media development of the Berliner Philharmoniker like no one before him. |