Herbert von Karajan, bust by Hans Baier

After Wilhelm
Furtwängler’s death, Herbert von Karajan (1908–1989) became the orchestra’s
principal conductor – for nearly 35 years. Under his direction it developed
that specific sound and brilliant virtuosic perfection for which it is now
world-famous. With Karajan the Philharmonic moved in 1963 into the Philharmonie
built by Scharoun. With him the orchestra became a media star. And it has this
conductor to thank for two further institutions: the Salzburg Easter Festival,
which Karajan created in 1967, and the Orchestra Academy.