Herbert von Karajan and the Nazi Dictatorship

Herbert von Karajan served as Chief Conductor of the Berliner Philharmoniker from 1955 until his death in 1989. One of the most renowned and influential conductors of the 20th century, he set benchmarks in classical music. At the same time, his public persona and private life attracted considerable attention during his lifetime, with his conduct during the National Socialist period remaining a subject of critical scrutiny.

In a new study based on a wide range of sources, some of them evaluated for the first time, the distinguished historian Michael Wolffsohn presents a comprehensive portrait of Karajan’s life and actions during the Nazi era and the years that followed. In conversation, Michael Wolffsohn and Walter Küssner, member of the Orchestra Board of the Berliner Philharmoniker, explore one of the defining figures of the 20th century—at the intersection of music, politics and history. The discussion will be moderated by Ijoma Mangold.