Home “He is Not an Artist But a Trust”: Herbert von Karajan’s Global Career and the (A)political Economy of Classical Music
Article
Licensed
Unlicensed Requires Authentication

“He is Not an Artist But a Trust”: Herbert von Karajan’s Global Career and the (A)political Economy of Classical Music

  • Friedemann Pestel EMAIL logo
Published/Copyright: February 18, 2025
Become an author with De Gruyter Brill

Abstract

The career of conductor Herbert von Karajan (1908–89) is often considered exemplary for twentieth-century classical musicianship. At the same time, Karajan remains a controversial figure both with regard to his affiliation with National Socialism and his role in the commercialization of classical music. Going beyond biographical approaches, this article argues that Karajan’s appearances in Europe, North America, East Asia, and the Middle East, together with his turn toward musical mass production, served to shield him from postwar political protests. A consideration of Karajan’s global career also requires expanding the traditional focus on international musical relations as cultural diplomacy projects to include the role of the music industry in twentieth-century classical musical life. From the 1950s, the infrastructures of Karajan’s career emerged as a global system of musical production and distribution based on cooperation with selected partners, on recordings, festival performances, intercontinental tours, and media innovations. Collaborations with European, American, and Asian record companies and music agents helped Karajan to detach his career from political ideas of music-making such as those related to denazification, national representation, or democratization. Instead, infrastructures allowed Karajan to promote an apolitical understanding of global audience participation through individual music consumption.


Corresponding author: Friedemann Pestel, Albert-Ludwigs-Universität Freiburg, Freiburg, Germany, E-mail:

  1. Research funding: This work was supported by Baden-Württemberg Stiftung.

References

Allen, R. 2018. Wilhelm Furtwängler: Art and the Politics of the Unpolitical. Woodbridge: Boydell Press.10.1017/9781787442245Search in Google Scholar

Applegate, C. 2017. The Necessity of Music: Variations on a German Theme. Toronto: University of Toronto Press.10.3138/9781487511593Search in Google Scholar

Aringer, K., P. Revers, and T. Wozonig, eds. 2023. “Seine ganze Musikdeutung geht ja vom Klang aus:” Musikalische Interpretation bei Herbert von Karajan. Baden-Baden: Georg Olms Verlag.10.5771/9783487423746Search in Google Scholar

Bachmann, R. C. 1976. Große Interpreten im Gespräch. Bern. Stuttgart: Hallwag.Search in Google Scholar

Bachmann, R. C. 1983. Karajan: Anmerkungen zu einer Karriere. Düsseldorf: Econ.Search in Google Scholar

Bar-On, A. 2008. Israel und Deutschland, Deutschland und Israel 1982–1998: Interessen, Einstellungen und Politik. Frankfurt: Lang.Search in Google Scholar

Behan, A. 2021. “The Historiography of the Twentieth-Century Classical Performer: Life, Work, Artistry.” Twentieth-Century Music 18 (2): 161–84. https://doi.org/10.1017/s1478572220000596.Search in Google Scholar

Bennett, D., and S. Hennekam. 2018. “Lifespan Perspective Theory and (Classical) Musicians’ Careers.” In The Classical Music Industry, edited by C. Dromey, and J. Haferkorn, 112–25. New York, London: Routledge.10.4324/9781315471099-9Search in Google Scholar

Betzwieser, T. 2017. “Europa-Hymnen – Musikalische Insignien von Verständigung und Identität.” In The Role of Music in European Integration: Conciliating Eurocentrism and Multiculturalism, edited by A. Riethmüller, 125–47. Berlin: De Gruyter.10.1515/9783110479591-003Search in Google Scholar

Brook, T. 1979. “The Revival of China’s Musical Culture.” The China Quarterly 77: 113–21. https://doi.org/10.1017/s0305741000038935.Search in Google Scholar

Cai, J., and S. Melvin. 2015. Beethoven in China: How the Great Composer Became an Icon in the People’s Republic. Melbourne: Penguin Books.Search in Google Scholar

Caskel, J. 2020. Der Karajan-Diskurs: Perspektiven heutiger Rezeption. Würzburg: Königshausen & Neumann.Search in Google Scholar

Caves, R. E. 2002. Creative Industries: Contracts Between Art and Commerce. Cambridge: Harvard University Press.Search in Google Scholar

Chua, D. K. L. 1999. Absolute Music and the Construction of Meaning. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press.10.1017/CBO9780511481697Search in Google Scholar

Conze, E., N. Frei, P. Hayes, and M. Zimmermann. 2010. Das Amt und die Vergangenheit: Deutsche Diplomaten im Dritten Reich und in der Bundesrepublik. Munich: Blessing.Search in Google Scholar

Culshaw, J. 1981. Putting the Record Straight: The Autobiography of John Culshaw. London: Secker & Warburg.Search in Google Scholar

Dahlhaus, C. 1989. The Idea of Absolute Music. Chicago: University of Chicago Press.Search in Google Scholar

Dejung, C., D. Motadel, and J. Osterhammel, eds. 2020. The Global Bourgeoisie: The Rise of the Middle Classes in the Age of Empire. Princeton: Princeton University Press.10.1515/9780691189918Search in Google Scholar

Doering, J. M. 2017. The Great Orchestrator: Arthur Judson and American Arts Management. Urbana: University of Illinois Press.Search in Google Scholar

Döpfner, M. 1987. “Die Berliner Philharmoniker und die Medien.” In Das Berliner Philharmonische Orchester, edited by P. Badde, 152–69. Stuttgart: Deutsche Verlags-Anstalt.Search in Google Scholar

Endler, F. 1992. Karajan: Eine Biographie. Hamburg: Hoffmann und Campe.Search in Google Scholar

Eppstein, U. 1994. The Beginnings of Western Music in Meiji Era Japan. Lewiston: E. Mellen Press.Search in Google Scholar

Forner, J. 2002. Kurt Masur: Zeiten und Klänge. Biographie. Berlin: Propyläen.Search in Google Scholar

Fosler-Lussier, D. 2015. Music in America’s Cold War Diplomacy. Oakland: University of California Press.10.1525/california/9780520284135.001.0001Search in Google Scholar

Gienow-Hecht, J. C. E. 2012. “The World is Ready to Listen: Symphony Orchestras and the Global Performance of America.” Diplomatic History 36 (1): 17–28. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1467-7709.2011.01005.x.Search in Google Scholar

Haeusserman, E. 1979. Herbert von Karajan: Eine Biographie. Munich: Goldmann.Search in Google Scholar

Haffner, H. 2007. Die Berliner Philharmoniker: Eine Biografie. Mainz: Schott.Search in Google Scholar

Haffner, H. 2011. His Master’s Voice: Die Geschichte der Schallplatte. Berlin: Parthas.Search in Google Scholar

Hattinger, W. 2013. Der Dirigent: Mythos, Macht, Merkwürdigkeiten. Kassel. Stuttgart: Bärenreiter, Metzler.Search in Google Scholar

Hellsberg, C. 1992. Demokratie der Könige: Die Geschichte der Wiener Philharmoniker. Zurich, Vienna, and Mainz: Schweizer Verlagshaus, Kremayr & Scheriau, and Musikverlag Schott.Search in Google Scholar

Hestermann, J. 2015. Inszenierte Versöhnung: Reisediplomatie und die deutsch-israelischen Beziehungen von 1957 bis 1984. Frankfurt: Campus.Search in Google Scholar

“Interview mit Herbert von Karajan.” 1978. Das Orchester 26: 313‒8.Search in Google Scholar

Jungheinrich, H.-K. 1991. “Ich Selbst: Rede des toten Herbert von Karajan vom Weltgebäude herab, daß er kein Gott sei.” In Il Maestro: Die Karajan-Bilderbiographie, edited by S. Siegert, 12–42. Hamburg: Rasch und Roehring.Search in Google Scholar

Lang, K. 1992. Herbert von Karajan: Der Philharmonische Alleinherrscher. Zurich: M&T Verlag.Search in Google Scholar

Laubhold, L. E., and J. Stenzl, eds. 2008. Herbert von Karajan (1908–1989): Der Dirigent im Lichte einer Geschichte der musikalischen Interpretation. Salzburg: Pustet.Search in Google Scholar

Lebrecht, N. 1993. Der Mythos vom Maestro. Zurich: M&T Verlag.Search in Google Scholar

Lebrecht, N. 2007. Ausgespielt: Aufstieg und Fall der Klassikindustrie. Mainz: Schott.Search in Google Scholar

Levy, D., and N. Sznaider. 2006. The Holocaust and Memory in the Global Age. Philadelphia: Temple University Press.Search in Google Scholar

Lethen, H. 2018. Die Staatsräte: Elite im Dritten Reich: Gründgens, Furtwängler, Sauerbruch, Schmitt. Berlin: Rowohlt.Search in Google Scholar

Li, H.-Y. 2015. “Bildungspilger: Eine multi-lokale Ethnographie über taiwanesische Musikstudierende in Deutschland.”. PhD dissertation. University of Heidelberg.Search in Google Scholar

Löbl, K. 1978. Das Wunder Karajan: Die aktuelle Biographie zum 70. Geburtstag. Munich: Heyne.Search in Google Scholar

Lohmeyer, H. 1989. Die Macher und die Mächtigen: Fernsehen in Deutschland. Munich: v. Hase & Koehler.Search in Google Scholar

Matejovski, D. 2021. “Musikalischer Kampfmittelräumdienst: Herbert von Karajan und James Last.” POP. Kultur und Kritik 10 (2): 121–55. https://doi.org/10.14361/pop-2021-100219.Search in Google Scholar

Melvin, S., and J. Cai. 2004. Rhapsody in Red: How Western Classical Music Became Chinese. New York: Algora.Search in Google Scholar

Michels, E. 2017. Schahbesuch 1967: Fanal für die Studentenbewegung. Berlin: Ch. Links Verlag.Search in Google Scholar

Mikkonen, S., and P. Suutari, eds. 2016. Music, Art and Diplomacy: East-West Cultural Interactions and the Cold War. Farnham: Ashgate.Search in Google Scholar

Mittler, B. 1997. Dangerous Tunes: The Politics of Chinese Music in Hong Kong, Taiwan, and the People’s Republic of China Since 1949. Wiesbaden: Harrassowitz.Search in Google Scholar

Muck, P., ed. 1982. Einhundert Jahre Berliner Philharmonisches Orchester: Darstellung in Dokumenten, Vol. 2. Tutzing: Hans Schneider.Search in Google Scholar

Müller, C. A. 2020. Werk oder Ware? Wirtschaftlicher Strukturwandel in der Tonträgerindustrie der Bundesrepublik zwischen 1951 und 1983. Frankfurt: Campus.Search in Google Scholar

Müller, S. O., and S. Zalfen. 2010. “‘An Interesting Eastern Potentate’? Staatsaufführungen für den Schah von Persien in Berlin – 1873 und 1967.” In Die Oper im Wandel der Gesellschaft: Kulturtransfers und Netzwerke des Musiktheaters in Europa, edited by S. O. Müller, G. zur Nieden, P. Ther, and J. Toelle, 277–300. Vienna: Böhlau.10.7767/boehlau.9783205790488.277Search in Google Scholar

Nathan, J. 1999. Sony: The Private Life. London: Harper Collins.Search in Google Scholar

Ohga, N. 2009. “Die Musik, Sony und Österreich.” In Österreichisch-Japanische Begegnungen: 140 Jahre freundschaftliche Beziehungen, edited by J. Stefan-Bastl, 166–8. Tokyo: Sasaki Kikaku.Search in Google Scholar

Osborne, R. 1989. Conversations with Karajan. Oxford: Oxford University Press.Search in Google Scholar

Osborne, R. 2004. Herbert von Karajan: Leben und Musik. Frankfurt: Zweitausendeins.Search in Google Scholar

Overbeck, P. 2006. “Die Entwicklung der Tonträgertechnologie.” In Musik und Kulturbetrieb: Medien, Märkte, Institutionen, edited by A. Jacobshagen, and F. Reininghaus, 77–112. Laaber: Laaber-Verlag.Search in Google Scholar

Pestel, F. 2023. “Staatskapelle und sozialistischer Staat: Das Dresdner ‘Kapellkollektiv’ in der DDR (1949–1990).” In Goldglanz und Schattenwürfe: Die Sächsische Staatskapelle Dresden in den Jahren 1923 bis 2023, edited by M. Märker, and M. Dennerlein, 185–250. Altenburg: Kamprad.Search in Google Scholar

Pestel, F. 2024. “Obsession ‘Amerika’. Wilhelm Furtwänglers Transatlantische Karriere (1925–1954).” In Music Across the Ocean: Kulturelle Mobilität im transatlantischen Raum, 1800–1950, edited by C. Bebermeier, C. Kreutzfeldt, and M. Unseld, 251–67. Bielefeld: Transcript.10.1515/9783839475133-014Search in Google Scholar

Radtke, M. 1994. Außer Kontrolle: Die Medienmacht des Leo Kirch: Ein Report. Bern: Erpf.Search in Google Scholar

Ramel, F., and M. Jung. 2018. “The Barenboim Case: How to Link Music and Diplomacy Studies.” Arts & International Affairs 3 (2): 39–67. https://doi.org/10.18278/aia.3.2.5.Search in Google Scholar

Rathkolb, O. 2012. “‘Geschichte(n) einer Karte’: Anmerkungen zur Wechselbeziehung zwischen Nationalsozialismus und Künstlern am Beispiel von Herbert von Karajans NSDAP-Mitgliedschaft.” In Über die österreichische Geschichte hinaus, edited by F. Edelmayer, M. Grandner, J. Pešek, and O. Rathkolb, 191–214. Munster: Aschendorff.Search in Google Scholar

Riethmüller, A. 2007. “Deutsche Leitkultur Musik und neues Leitbild USA in der frühen Bundesrepublik.” In Modernisierung als Amerikanisierung? Entwicklungslinien der westdeutschen Kultur 1945–1960, edited by L. Koch, and P. Tallafuss, 215–32. Bielefeld: Transcript.10.1515/9783839406151-010Search in Google Scholar

Rosenberg, J. 2020. Dangerous Melodies: Classical Music in America from the Great War Through the Cold War. New York: W. W. Norton.Search in Google Scholar

Schmidt, H.1988. “Was die Leute über Karajan reden.” In Karajan oder die kontrollierte Ekstase: Eine kritische Hommage von Zeitzeugen, edited by P. Csobádi, 25–33. ViennaNeff.Search in Google Scholar

Secrest, M. 1995. Leonard Bernstein: A Life. London: Bloomsbury.Search in Google Scholar

Seldes, B. 2009. Leonard Bernstein: The Political Life of an American Musician. Berkeley: University of California Press.10.1525/california/9780520257641.001.0001Search in Google Scholar

Stern, H. 1990. Saitensprünge. Berlin: Transit.Search in Google Scholar

Stresemann, W. 1985. … und abends in die Philharmonie: Erinnerungen an große Dirigenten. Frankfurt: Ullstein.Search in Google Scholar

Stresemann, W. 1991. “Ein seltsamer Mann…”: Erinnerungen an Herbert von Karajan. Frankfurt: Ullstein.Search in Google Scholar

Stresemann, W. 1994. Zeiten und Klänge: Ein Leben zwischen Musik und Politik. Frankfurt: Ullstein.Search in Google Scholar

Telesko, W., and S. Schmidl. 2023. “Karajan’s Aesthetics – Studies on Imagery Representation in Commercial Music Practice.” In “Seine ganze Musikdeutung geht ja vom Klang aus:” Musikalische Interpretation bei Herbert von Karajan, edited by K. Aringer, P. Revers, and T. Wozonig, 219–39. Baden-Baden: Georg Olms Verlag.10.5771/9783487423746-219Search in Google Scholar

Thärichen, W. 1987. Paukenschläge: Furtwängler oder Karajan? Zurich: M&T Verlag.Search in Google Scholar

Uehling, P. 2006. Karajan: Eine Biographie. Reinbek: Rowohlt.Search in Google Scholar

Uhlfelder, G. 1990. Allegro ma non troppo. Buenos Aires: Galerna.Search in Google Scholar

Umbach, K. 1994. Geldschein-Sonate: Das Millionenspiel mit der Klassik. Frankfurt: Ullstein.Search in Google Scholar

Vaughan, R. 1986. Herbert von Karajan: Ein biographisches Porträt. Frankfurt: Ullstein.Search in Google Scholar

Volgsten, U. 2021. “Extending the Sonic Bubble: Solitary Listening as a Technology of the Self.” In Musicking in Twentieth-Century Europe: A Handbook, edited by K. Nathaus, and M. Rempe, 281–300. Berlin: De Gruyter.10.1515/9783110651966-014Search in Google Scholar

Wade, B. C. 2005. Music in Japan: Experiencing Music, Expressing Culture. New York: Oxford University Press.Search in Google Scholar

Weingardt, M. A. 2002. Deutsche Israel- und Nahostpolitik: Die Geschichte einer Gratwanderung seit 1949. Frankfurt: Campus.Search in Google Scholar

Witeschnik, A. 1970. Musizieren geht übers Probieren oder Viel Harmonie mit kleinen Dissonanzen: Die Geschichte der Wiener Philharmoniker in Anekdoten und Geschichten. Munich: Deutscher Taschenbuch-Verlag.Search in Google Scholar

Wojnowski, Z., and M. Abeßer. 2025. “Between Winning and Losing the Cultural Cold War – the Soviet Ministry of Culture and Musical Infrastructures during the Cold War.” New Global Studies 19 (2).10.1515/ngs-2025-0007Search in Google Scholar

Yang, M. 2007. “East Meets West in the Concert Hall: Asians and Classical Music in the Century of Imperialism, Post-Colonialism, and Multiculturalism.” Asian Music 38: 1–30. https://doi.org/10.1353/amu.2007.0025.Search in Google Scholar

Zwart, F. 2019. Conductor Willem Mengelberg, 1871–1951: Acclaimed and Accused, Vol. 2. Amsterdam: Amsterdam University Press.10.5117/9789462986053Search in Google Scholar

Received: 2025-01-23
Accepted: 2025-01-23
Published Online: 2025-02-18

© 2025 Walter de Gruyter GmbH, Berlin/Boston

Downloaded on 24.10.2025 from https://www.degruyterbrill.com/document/doi/10.1515/ngs-2025-0008/html?lang=en&srsltid=AfmBOooLqHk2RyvH_n-N5htvgV6Qmq1XJpJmEclhHFcfG5Va2vkJMwPI
Scroll to top button