Karajan and Film


The list below includes filmed "live" concerts and operas as well as studio produced films. Some are TV broadcasts which, because of the ephemeral nature of early television, may mean that they were not kept or recorded and so do not exist anymore.


1941
Wagner Die Meistersinger Overture (concluding bars only) Staatskapelle Note: 24th May Paris

1953 (10th - 11th March)
Vienna Symphony Orchestra (Modl, Windgassen, Edelmann with the Wiener Singverein)
Wagner Gotterdammerung - Funeral March
Wagner Tristan und Isolde - Vorspiel/Liebestod
Wagner Die Meistersinger - "Wacht auf"
Wagner Die Meistersinger - Act 1 Vorspiel
Wagner Tannhauser - Pilgerchor
Wagner Lohengrin - Acts 1 & 3 Vorspiele
Wagner Siegfried Idyll
Note: Discovered in the Wiener Symphoniker archives in November 2007. With grateful thanks to Mike Gray who provided me with the above information. These films seem to tie in with the music for the 1954 West German film "Ludwig 11" (see below)

1954 (11th March)
Vienna Symphony Orchestra
Wagner Waldweben
Wagner Ride of the Valkyries
Wagner Gotterdammerung - Funeral March
Note: Discovered in the Wiener Symphoniker archives in November 2007. With grateful thanks to Mike Gray who provided me with the above information. These films seem to tie in with the music for the 1954 West German film "Ludwig 11" (see below)

1957
Beethoven Symphony No 5 B.P.O. Note: 3rd November Tokyo
Dvorak Symphony No 9 B.P.O. Note: 16th November Osaka
Strauss [Richard] Don Juan B.P.O. Note: 3rd November Tokyo
Wagner Die Meistersinger Overture B.P.O. Note: 3rd November Tokyo

1959
Brahms Symphony No 1 V.P.O. Note: 27th October Tokyo
Brahms Symphony No 4 V.P.O. Note: 6th November Tokyo
Schubert Symphony No 8 V.P.O. Note: 6th November Tokyo

1960
Strauss [Richard] Der Rosenkavalier V.P.O. (Schwarzkopf,Jurinac,Rothenberger,Zampieri,Edelmann,Kunz with the Vienna Opera Chorus) Click to see Souvenir Brochure

1963
Strauss [Richard] Till Eulenspiegel Note: A one hour rehearsal/lesson with a student followed by a performance of most of the work conducted by Karajan himself. The orchestra comprised eminent professional friends of Karajan's who came together for the purpose of the session. There are two tiny extracts from this film in the documentary "Maestro, Maestro !" (1999).

1965
Mozart Violin Concerto No 5 V.S.O. (Menuhin) Note: Directed by Henri-Georges Clouzot
Puccini La Boheme La Scala Orchestra (Freni,Martino,Raimondi,Maffeo,Panerai,Vinco with the La Scala Chorus) Click to see Souvenir Brochure
Schumann Symphony No 4 V.S.O. Note: Directed by Henri-Georges Clouzot

1966
Bach J.S. Brandenburg Concerto No 6 B.P.O. Note: 26th April Matsuyama
Beethoven Coriolan Overture B.P.O. Note: 12th April Tokyo
Beethoven Leonore No 3 Overture B.P.O. Note: 15th April Tokyo
Beethoven Symphony No 1 B.P.O. Note: 14th April Tokyo
Beethoven Symphony No 2 B.P.O. Note: 15th April Tokyo
Beethoven Symphony No 3 B.P.O. Note: 14th April Tokyo
Beethoven Symphony No 4 B.P.O. Note: 13th April Tokyo
Beethoven Symphony No 5 B.P.O. Note: 12th April Tokyo
Beethoven Symphony No 5 B.P.O. Note: Directed by Henri-Georges Clouzot
Beethoven Symphony No 6 B.P.O. Note: 12th April Tokyo
Beethoven Symphony No 7 B.P.O. Note: 13th April Tokyo
Beethoven Symphony No 8 B.P.O. Note: 15th April Tokyo
Beethoven Symphony No 9 B.P.O. (Janowitz,Nagano,Kesteren,Talvela and the NHK Chorus) Note: 16th April Tokyo
Brahms Symphony No 1 B.P.O. Note: 22nd April Osaka
Brahms Symphony No 2 B.P.O. Note: 19th April Sapporo
Brahms Variations on a Theme of Haydn B.P.O. Note: 26th April Matsuyama
Bruckner Symphony No 8 B.P.O. Note: 2nd May Tokyo
Debussy La Mer B.P.O. Note: 24th April Okayama
Debussy Prelude a l'apres-midi d'un faune B.P.O. Note: 24th April Okayama
Dvorak Symphony No 8 B.P.O. Note: 24th April Okayama
Dvorak Symphony No 9 B.P.O. Note: 28th April Fukuoka
Dvorak Symphony No 9 B.P.O. Note: Directed by Henri-Georges Clouzot
Mozart Divertimento No 15 B.P.O. Note: 3rd May Tokyo
Schubert Symphony No 8 B.P.O. Note: 19th April Sapporo
Strauss [Richard] Don Juan B.P.O. Note: 22nd April Osaka
Strauss [Richard] Ein Heldenleben B.P.O. Note: 3rd May Tokyo
Webern Six Pieces for Orchestra B.P.O. Note: 22nd April Osaka

1967
Bach Brandenburg Concerto No 3 B.P.O.
Bach Orchestral Suite No 2 B.P.O.
Beethoven Symphony No 6 B.P.O.
Bizet Carmen V.P.O. (Bumbry,Freni,Vickers,Diaz with the Vienna Opera Chorus)
Brahms Symphony No 3 B.P.O.
Mozart Coronation Mass RAI Roma Orchestra (Donath,Troyanos,Krenn,Crass with the RAI Roma Chorus) Note: 20th May in the presence of Pope Paul V1
Mozart Divertimento No 17 B.P.O.
Tchaikovsky Piano Concerto No 1 B.P.O. (Weissenberg)
Verdi Requiem Mass La Scala Orchestra (Price,Cossotto,Pavarotti,Ghiaurov with the La Scala Chorus) Note: Directed by Henri-Georges Clouzot
Verdi Te Deum RAI Roma Orchestra (Donath,Troyanos,Krenn,Crass with the RAI Roma Chorus) Note: 20th May in the presence of Pope Paul V1

1968
Beethoven Symphony No 9 B.P.O. (Janowitz,Ludwig,Thomas,Berry with the Deutsche Oper Chorus)
Leoncavallo Pagliacci La Scala Orchestra (Kabaiwanska,Vickers,Glossop,Panerai with the La Scala Chorus)

1970
Mascagni Cavalleria Rusticana La Scala Orchestra (Cossotto,Martino,Cecchele,Guelfi with the La Scala Chorus)

1971
Beethoven Symphony No 1 B.P.O.
Beethoven Symphony No 3 B.P.O.
Beethoven Symphony No 7 B.P.O.
Berlioz Symphonie Fantastique Orchestre de Paris
Mozart Concerto for 3 Pianos Orchestre de Paris (Eschenbach,Frantz,Karajan)

1972
Beethoven Symphony No 2 B.P.O.
Beethoven Symphony No 8 B.P.O.

1973/73
Beethoven Symphony No 4 B.P.O.
Beethoven Symphony No 5 B.P.O.

1973
Bach Brandenburg Concerto No 1 B.P.O. Note: 26th OctoberTokyo
Brahms Symphony No 1 B.P.O.
Brahms Symphony No 2 B.P.O.
Brahms Symphony No 3 B.P.O.
Brahms Symphony No 4 B.P.O.
Bruckner Symphony No 7 B.P.O. Note: 26th October Tokyo
Dvorak Symphony No 8 B.P.O. Note: 27th October Tokyo
Rachmaninov Piano Concerto No 2 B.P.O. (Weissenberg)
Tchaikovsky Piano Concerto No 1 B.P.O. (Weissenberg)
Tchaikovsky Symphony No 4 B.P.O.
Tchaikovsky Symphony No 5 B.P.O.
Tchaikovsky Symphony No 6 B.P.O.
Verdi Otello B.P.O. (Freni,Malagu,Vickers,Glossop with the Deutsche Oper Chorus)
Wagner Tannhauser Overture B.P.O. Note: 27th October Tokyo
Wagner Tristan & Isolde-Prelude & Liebestod B.P.O. Note: 27th October Tokyo

1973/78
Wagner Das Rheingold B.P.O. (Fassbander,Finnila,Esser,Stolze,Schreier,Stewart,Roar,Kelemen)

1974
Puccini Madama Butterfly V.P.O. (Freni,Ludwig,Domingo,Kerns with the Vienna Opera Chorus)

1975
Beethoven Coriolan Overture B.P.O.
Beethoven Egmont Overture B.P.O.
Rossini Guillaume Tell Overture B.P.O.
Strauss [Richard] Don Quixote B.P.O. (Rostropovich)
Wagner Die Meistersinger Overture B.P.O.
Wagner Tannhauser Overture B.P.O.
Weber Der Freischutz Overture B.P.O.

1977
Beethoven Piano Concerto No 4 B.P.O. (Weissenberg) Note: 10th November Osaka
Beethoven Symphony No 5 B.P.O. Note: 16th November Tokyo
Beethoven Symphony No 6 B.P.O. Note: 16th November Tokyo
Beethoven Symphony No 9 B.P.O. (Tomowa-Sintow,Baltsa,Kollo,Van Dam with the Deutsche Oper Chorus)
Brahms Symphony No 1 B.P.O. Note: 9th November Osaka

1978
Berlioz Faust:Hungarian March B.P.O.
Bizet L'Arlesienne Suite No 2 B.P.O.
Brahms Ein deutsches Requiem B.P.O. (Janowitz,Van Dam with the Wiener Singverein)
Bruckner Symphony No 9 V.P.O.
Bruckner Te Deum V.P.O. (Tomowa-Sintow,Baltsa,Rendall,Van Dam with the Wiener Singverein)
Debussy La Mer B.P.O.
Debussy Prelude a l'apres-midi d'un faune B.P.O.
Leoncavallo Pagliacci excerpt B.P.O. (Kabaiwanska) Note: 24th June Paris-Television Concert
Liszt Hungarian Rhapsody No 2 B.P.O.
Mascagni L'Amico Fritz:Intermezzo B.P.O.
Massenet Thais:Meditation B.P.O. (Mutter) Note: 24th June Paris-Television Concert
Mozart Piano Concerto No 21 B.P.O. (Weissenberg with Karajan as soloist for the second movement) Note: 24th June Paris-Television Concert
Mussorgsky Pictures at an Exhibition (Finale only) B.P.O. Note: 24th June Paris-Television Concert
Offenbach Tales of Hoffmann:Barcarolle B.P.O. Note: 24th June Paris-Television Concert
Puccini La Boheme excerpt B.P.O. (Freni) Note: 24th June Paris-Television Concert
Ravel Daphnis et Chloe:Suite No 2 B.P.O.
Sibelius Valse Triste B.P.O. Note: 24th June Paris-Television Concert
Strauss [Josef] Delirien Waltz B.P.O. Note: 24th June Paris-Television Concert
Strauss [Richard] Don Quixote (Finale only) B.P.O. (Rostropovich) Note: 24th June Paris-Television Concert
Suppe Light Cavalry Overture B.P.O.
Verdi Il Trovatore V.P.O. (Kabaiwanska,Cossotto,Domingo,Cappuccilli,Van Dam with the Vienna Opera Chorus)
Verdi La forza del destino Overture B.P.O. Note: 24th June Paris-Television Concert
Verdi La forza del destino Overture B.P.O.
Wagner The Flying Dutchman Overture B.P.O. Note: 24th June Paris-Television Concert

1979
Beethoven Missa Solemnis B.P.O. (Tomowa-Sintow,Baltsa,Tappy,Van Dam with the Wiener Singverein)
Bruckner Symphony No 8 V.P.O.

1980
Beethoven Violin Concerto European Youth Orchestra (Mutter) Note: 12th August Salzburg
Berlioz Symphonie Fantastique B.P.O.
Stravinsky Apollon musagete B.P.O.

1981
Beethoven Symphony No 1 B.P.O. Note: 28th October Tokyo
Beethoven Symphony No 3 B.P.O. Note: 28th October Tokyo
Beethoven Symphony No 5 B.P.O. Note: 29th October Tokyo
Beethoven Violin Concerto B.P.O. (Mutter) Note: 29th October Tokyo
Brahms Symphony No 1 B.P.O. Note: 30th October Tokyo
Brahms Symphony No 3 B.P.O. Note: 30th October Tokyo
Debussy La Mer B.P.O. Note: 2nd November Tokyo
Debussy Prelude a l'apres-midi d'un faune B.P.O. Note: 2nd November Tokyo
Ravel Bolero B.P.O. Note: 2nd November Tokyo
Ravel Rapsodie espagnole B.P.O. Note: 2nd November Tokyo

1982
Beethoven Symphony No 3 B.P.O.
Beethoven Symphony No 5 B.P.O.
Beethoven Symphony No 6 B.P.O.
Verdi Falstaff V.P.O. (Kabaiwanska,Perry,Schmidt,Ludwig,Araiza,Taddei,Panerai with the Vienna Opera Chorus)

1983
Brahms Ein deutsches Requiem V.P.O. (Hendricks,Van Dam with the Wiener Singverein)
Beethoven Symphony No 9 B.P.O. (Perry,Baltsa,Cole,Van Dam with the Wiener Singverein)
Strauss [Richard] Alpine Symphony B.P.O.
Beethoven Symphony No 4 B.P.O.
Beethoven Symphony No 7 B.P.O.
Rossini Guillaume Tell Overture B.P.O.
Sibelius Valse Triste B.P.O.
Smetana Ma Vlast:Vltava B.P.O.
Strauss [J Jnr] Der Zigeunerbaron Overture B.P.O.
Strauss [Josef] Delirien Waltz B.P.O.

1984
Bach Magnificat B.P.O. (Blegen,Muller-Molinari,Araiza,Holl with the RIAS Choir)
Bach Violin Concerto No 2 B.P.O. (Mutter)
Beethoven Symphony No 1 B.P.O.
Beethoven Symphony No 2 B.P.O.
Beethoven Symphony No 3 B.P.O.
Beethoven Symphony No 8 B.P.O.
Beethoven Violin Concerto B.P.O. (Mutter)
Mozart Divertimento No15 B.P.O. Note: 18th October Osaka
Respighi Pini di Roma B.P.O. Note: 18th October Osaka
Strauss [Richard] Der Rosenkavalier V.P.O. (Tomowa-Sintow,Baltsa,Perry,Cole,Moll,Hornik with the Vienna Opera Concert Chorus)
Strauss [Richard] Don Juan B.P.O. Note: 18th October Osaka
Strauss [Richard] Death & Transfiguration B.P.O.
Strauss [Richard] Metamorphosen B.P.O.
Tchaikovsky Symphony No 4 V.P.O.
Tchaikovsky Symphony No 5 V.P.O.
Tchaikovsky Symphony No 6 V.P.O.
Verdi Requiem Mass V.P.O. (Tomowa-Sintow,Baltsa,Carreras,Van Dam with the Wiener Singverein and the Sofia Opera Chorus)

1985
Beethoven Coriolan Overture B.P.O.
Beethoven Egmont Overture B.P.O.
Beethoven Fidelio Overture B.P.O.
Beethoven Leonore No 3 Overture B.P.O.
Beethoven Missa Solemnis B.P.O. (Cuberli,Schmidt,Cole,Van Dam with the Wiener Singverein)
Bruckner Symphony No 9 B.P.O.
Debussy La Mer B.P.O.
Debussy Prelude a l'apres-midi d'un faune B.P.O.
Dvorak Symphony No 8 V.P.O.
Dvorak Symphony No 9 V.P.O.
Leoncavallo Pagliacci:Intermezzo B.P.O.
Liszt Hungarian Rhapsody No 5 B.P.O.
Mozart Coronation Mass V.P.O. (Battle,Schmidt,Winbergh,Furlanetto with the Wiener Singverein) Note: 29th June Rome in the presence of Pope John Paul 11
Puccini Manon Lescaut:Intermezzo B.P.O.
Ravel Bolero B.P.O.
Ravel Daphnis et Chloe:Suite No 2 B.P.O.
Strauss [Josef] Spharenklange Waltz B.P.O.
Strauss [Richard] Capriccio:Interlude & closing scene B.P.O. (Tomowa-Sintow)
Strauss [Richard] Die heiligen drei Konige aus Morgenland B.P.O. (Tomowa-Sintow)
Strauss [Richard] Ein Heldenleben B.P.O.
Strauss [Richard] Four Last Songs B.P.O. (Tomowa-Sintow)
Weber Der Freischutz Overture B.P.O.

1985/87
Brahms Ein deutsches Requiem V.P.O. (Battle,Van Dam with the Wiener Singverein)

1986
Beethoven Symphony No 9 B.P.O. (Cuberli,Muller-Molinari,Cole,Grundheber with the Wiener Singverein)
Brahms Symphony No 2 B.P.O.
Brahms Tragic Overture B.P.O.
Mozart Requiem Mass V.P.O. (Tomowa-Sintow,Muller-Molinari,Cole,Burchuladze with the Wiener Singverein)
Mussorgsky Pictures at an Exhibition B.P.O.
Strauss [Richard] Don Quixote B.P.O. (Meneses)
Strauss [Richard] Till Eulenspiegel B.P.O.
Verdi Don Carlo B.P.O. (Izzo,D'Amico,Baltsa,Carreras,Furlanetto,Cappuccilli,Salminen with the Vienna Opera Concert Chorus)

1987
Brahms Symphony No 1 B.P.O.
Mozart Divertimento No 17 B.P.O.
Mozart Don Giovanni V.P.O. (Varady,Tomowa-Sintow,Battle,Winbergh,Ramey,Furlanetto,Burchuladze with the Vienna Opera Concert Chorus)
Mozart Symphony No 29 B.P.O.
Ravel Rapsodie espagnole B.P.O.
Strauss [J Jnr] An der schonen blauen Donau V.P.O.
Strauss [J Jnr] Annen-Polka V.P.O.
Strauss [J Jnr] Der Zigeunerbaron Overture V.P.O.
Strauss [J Jnr] Die Fledermaus Overture V.P.O.
Strauss [J Jnr] Fruhlingsstimmen Waltz V.P.O. (Battle)
Strauss [J Jnr] Kaiserwalzer V.P.O.
Strauss [J Jnr] Unter Donner und Blitz Polka V.P.O.
Strauss [J Jnr] Vergnugungszug Polka V.P.O.
Strauss [J Jnr & Josef] Pizzicato Polka V.P.O.
Strauss [J Snr] Beliebte Annen-Polka V.P.O.
Strauss [J Snr] Radetzky March V.P.O.
Strauss [Josef] Delirien Waltz V.P.O.
Strauss [Josef] Ohne Sorgen Polka V.P.O.
Strauss [Josef] Spharenklange Waltz V.P.O.
Strauss [Richard] Also Sprach Zarathustra B.P.O.
Vivaldi Four Seasons B.P.O.(Mutter)
Wagner Siegfried Idyll V.P.O.
Wagner Tannhauser Overture V.P.O.
Wagner Tristan & Isolde-Liebestod V.P.O. (Norman)

1988
Brahms Symphony No 3 B.P.O.
Brahms Symphony No 4 B.P.O.
Bruckner Symphony No 8 V.P.O.
Prokofiev Symphony No 1 B.P.O.
Tchaikovsky Piano Concerto No 1 B.P.O. (Kissin)



As well as the complete works listed above, various rehearsals have also been filmed over the years.
In the mid-1960's Karajan collaborated with the French film director, Henri-Georges Clouzot. The filmed concerts they made together had rehearsals, workshop sessions with students and interviews added as they were originally transmitted as television programmes for a series entitled "Die Kunst des Dirigierens" ("The Art of Conducting"). The series was originally going to consist of 13 films but only 5 were actually made:

- Beethoven Symphony No 5 B.P.O.
- Dvorak Symphony No 9 B.P.O.
- Mozart Violin Concerto No 5 V.S.O. (Menuhin)
- Schumann Symphony No 4 V.S.O.
- Verdi Requiem Mass La Scala Orchestra (Price,Cossotto,Pavarotti,Ghiaurov with the La Scala Chorus)

However, in 1995 the Karajan/Clouzot music films were shown at the Louvre Auditorium in Paris (and later at the National Film Theatre in London) but 6 films were shown including a film of Mozart's "Coronation Mass". Further details of this film can be found in my "Questions and Queries" section.



The following documentary films have been made about Karajan's life and work:

"The Making of an Opera: Die Walkure rehearsals for the first Salzburg Easter Festival" A film by François Reichenbach (1967)

"Impressions of Herbert von Karajan: A Documentary on the Maestro at 70" Directed by Vojtech Jasny (1978)

"100 Years of the Berlin Philharmonic Orchestra: The Karajan Era" (1982)

"Karajan in Salzburg" A film by Susan Froemke, Peter Gelb and Deborah Dickson (1987)

"The Karajan Legend" (c.1989)

"Herbert von Karajan: Erinnerungen von Kurt Pahlen" Directed by Rainer Schmaelz (1996)

"Maestro, Maestro !" Directed by Patricia Plattner (1999)
"Herbert von Karajan: A Portrait" (1999)
Note: These two titles are the same film edited for different audiences.

"So kann die Welt nicht bleiben" ["The World Can't Stay Like This"] (1999)
"Herbert von Karajan 1908-1989: A Portrait" A film by Gernot Friedel (1999)
Note: These two titles are the same film.

"Phanomen Karajan" Directed by Peter Dusek and Georg Madeja (2004)

"Karajan oder Die Schönheit, wie ich sie sehe" ["Karajan or Beauty as I see it"] Directed by Robert Dornhelm (2008)

"Herbert von Karajan-Der Mensch" ["Inside Karajan"] A film by Otto Schwarz (2008)

"Herbert von Karajan - Maestro for the Screen" A film by Georg Wübbolt (2008)
Note: Alternative title "Filmstar Karajan"

"Karajan - Das zweite Leben" ["Karajan: The Second Life"] A film by Eric Schulz (2012)

"Karajan's Magic and Myth" A film by John Bridcut (2014)



Also, it may be of interest to note that Karajan recordings have been used on the soundtracks of the following films:

1948 "St Matthew Passion: A Film Oratorio"
Bach St Matthews Passion V.P.O. (Schwarzkopf,Hoengen,W.Ludwig,Schmitt-Walter,Braun with the Wiener Singverein)
Note: The film depicts the passion story by using 15th-17th century paintings and a spoken commentary superimposed over a heavily abridged soundtrack recorded in Vienna in November 1948.



1954 "Ludwig II"
Note: This West German film about the life of King Ludwig II starred O.W. Fischer, Klaus Kinski and Ruth Leuwerik and was directed by Helmut Käutner.The film concentrates on the King's fascination with the Arts; his obsession with Wagner bordering on the psychotic.


The opening titles display Karajan's name and also say that he is conducting the Vienna Symphony Orchestra. The music played in the film is not listed, but the menu to the video has the finale of "Gotterdammerung" in the background, the opening titles have Siegfried's funeral march as background, and the end of the film has the orchestral arrangement of Isolde's Liebestod as accompaniment. Modl and Windgassen also sing part of the love duet from Act 2 of "Tristan und Isolde" during the film. In addition, there are excerpts from the "Die Meistersinger Overture" and from "Parsifal".
Note: With grateful thanks to Charles Brooke who provided the above information.

Note: For further information about the music filmed with Karajan and the V.S.O. (see above)

In a scene we see Ludwig and his fiancée Sophie, going to the Munich Opera to see the premiere of Das Rheingold. After they arrive at the Royal Box, the King makes a signal to the conductor (supposedly Franz Wüllner), to indicate him that the performance can begin. The conductor turns to the orchestra and begins to conduct Das Rheingold prelude.

Now, the conductor's face cannot be seen very well, but he is Karajan ! His hair style and arm movements are unmistakable.
Note: With grateful thanks to Angel Riego Cue who provided the above information.



1967 "The Life of Mozart"
Note: Documentary by Hans Conrad Fischer featuring Mozart's music performed by various orchestras and conductors including Herbert von Karajan.



1968 "2001: A Space Odyssey"
Strauss [J Jnr] An der schonen blauen Donau B.P.O. (1966)
Strauss [Richard] Also Sprach Zarathustra V.P.O. (1959)
Note: Stanley Kubrick asked permission to use this 1959 Karajan/V.P.O. recording of "Also Sprach Zarathustra" on the film soundtrack but when Decca licensed the tape to MGM it was on the strict understanding that no mention should be made in the film's credits of Decca, Karajan or the Vienna Philharmonic.
Also, whilst the original film soundtrack features this Karajan version of "Also Sprach Zarathustra", the original MGM soundtrack LP featured another version, by Karl Bohm and the Berlin Philharmonic Orchestra. (Reputedly, Karajan's recording was banned by MGM because some Jewish executives believed he was a Nazi collaborator.) A 1996 CD release states that the version from the original MGM soundtrack album was performed by the Sudwest Orchestra with the conductor Ernest Bour. This is probably an incorrect credit.




1970 "Ludwig van Beethoven"
Note: Documentary by Hans Conrad Fischer featuring Beethoven's music performed by various orchestras and conductors including Herbert von Karajan.



1971 "A Clockwork Orange"
Beethoven Symphony No 9 - Fourth Movement (Abridged) B.P.O. (1962)
Note: Uncredited.



1976 "Allegro non troppo"
Debussy Prelude a l'apres-midi d'un faune B.P.O. (1964)
Dvorak Slavonic Dance No 7 B.P.O. (1959)
Ravel Bolero B.P.O. (1966)
Sibelius Valse Triste B.P.O. (1967)
Note: In this Italian film, animator Bruno Bozzetto offers his irreverent tribute to Disney's "Fantasia". Four of the six episodes contain music conducted by Karajan with the B.P.O.

DG 2535 400



1980 "The Shining"
Bartok Music for Strings,Percussion and Celesta B.P.O. (1969)



1987 "Fatal Attraction"
Puccini Madame Butterfly: selections
V.P.O. and Mirella Freni, Luciano Pavarotti & Christa Ludwig (1974)



1987 "The Last Emperor"
Strauss [J Jnr] Kaiserwalzer B.P.O. (1966)



1998 "A Soldier's Daughter Never Cries"
Strauss [Richard] Salome: Finale "Ah! Ich habe deinen Mund gekusst, Jokanaan"
V.P.O. and Hildegard Behrens (1977)



1999 "Magnolia"
Strauss [Richard] Also Sprach Zarathustra V.P.O. (1959)
Bizet Overture from Carmen V.P.O. (1963)



2002 "Death to Smoochy"
Strauss [Richard] Also Sprach Zarathustra V.P.O. (1959)



2002 "Lilja 4-ever"
Vivaldi Symphony in B minor Al Santo Sepolcro B.P.O. (1970)



2003 "Poem - Ich setzte den Fuß in die Luft und sie trug"
Beethoven Symphony No 9 B.P.O. (1962)



2004 "Closer"
Mozart Così fan tutte: "Oh, Dei, come veloce se ne va quella barca!"
Mozart Così fan tutte: "Soave sia il vento"
Philharmonia and Elisabeth Schwarzkopf, Nan Merriman & Sesto Bruscantini (1954)



2005 "Charlie and the Chocolate Factory"
Strauss [Richard] Also Sprach Zarathustra V.P.O. (1959)



2005 "Wallace & Gromit in The Curse of the Were-Rabbit"
Holst The Planets: Venus, The Bringer of Peace V.P.O. (1961)



2007 "There Will Be Blood"
Brahms Violin Concerto in D Major B.P.O. and Anne-Sophie Mutter (1981)



2013 "Quartet"
Excerpt from the film of Verdi's "Otello" with Jon Vickers and Mirella Freni (1973)



1988 "Kidnapping Karajan"

Karajan was the subject of a Chinese comedy film entitled "Kidnapping Karajan" (1988) A website visitor has kindly sent me the following synopsis loosely translated into English from a Chinese website:

On a Sunday, 4 friends Da Long, Fang Fang, Xiao Huan and Ah Liang were out walking on the streets when they were attracted by a wave of loud music. They went to source of the loud music and saw a frantic crowd snatching up cassette tapes of classical music conducted by Karajan. They were curious and put their money together to buy a cassette tape too.

They didn't find the music inspiring and life went back to normal. Da Long was a tunnel worker, Fang Fang was an artist with an advertising firm, Xiao Huan sold imported cigarettes and Ah Liang ran his own business. They just couldn't enter the classy world of classical music. Then one day, they heard that the world famous conductor, Karajan, would be in Shanghai for a concert. They were very excited and tried very hard to get the tickets but without success.

It was then Da Long came up with the "wonderful idea" of kidnapping Karajan.

They tried to make a smoke grenade at home which ended in failure and created a huge commotion in the flat they stayed. Then they planned the kidnap to take place at the entrance of the Shanghai Concert Hall. Da Long would be the team leader, Xiao Huan would be the contact for the team, Fang Fang would pretend to present a bouquet to Karajan and Ah Liang would pretend to be a reporter. However, when they reached the Concert Hall, the security was so tight that their plan fell through. They couldn't do anything except to sadly watch Karajan being escorted by securities officers into the Concert Hall. But with another twist of fate, Fang Fang's colleague suddenly appeared and gave them four tickets to the concert. They were delighted and took their seats.

After the concert began, while the audience was listening attentively to the music, Da Long found his friends all soundly asleep.

Note: This Shanghai concert is completely fictitious.





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