site.btaMarch 8-9, 1983: Herbert von Karajan Conducts Vienna Philharmonic in Sofia

On March 8 and 9, 1983, Herbert von Karajan (1908-1989) conducted the Vienna Philharmonic at the National Palace of Culture (NDK) in Sofia.

Following is an English translation of original news stories by BTA's Home News Desk covering the visit:

Sofia, March 8, 1983 - World-renowned conductor Herbert von Karajan is visiting Bulgaria and will lead a concert tonight with the Vienna Philharmonic at the Lyudmila Zhivkova National Palace of Culture. At a press conference earlier today, Karajan thanked the Bulgarian government for the opportunity to perform for local audiences with the Vienna Philharmonic.

Answering journalists' questions, Karajan spoke about key aspects of his creative process, the role of music, performers' rapport with the audience and the training of young musicians.

"I have trained several generations of young musicians, and working with them gives me particular pleasure," Karajan said. "Musical artists must meet many challenges, yet talent and character remain most important for their development, as they help musicians build a bridge between art and the public. This is why aesthetic perception should be nurtured in children from an early age and a proper attitude towards art should be developed."

He also praised Bulgarian performers he knows, highlighting the high professional standards of the choir and soloists of the Sofia National Opera, and said it would be wonderful to make recordings with them.

Herbert von Karajan said he would like to come back to Bulgaria, provided he feels well and has the opportunity.

A Night of Karajan and the Vienna Philharmonic

Sofia, March 8, 1983 - The Vienna Philharmonic performed under Herbert von Karajan's baton at the Lyudmila Zhivkova National Palace of Culture.

The Vienna Philharmonic gave its first performance in 1842. Today, the orchestra's artistry enjoys a wide following around the world. Alongside an active concert schedule, the ensemble regularly appears at the Salzburg Festival and at music festivals in Lucerne, Flanders, Athens, Barcelona, Paris and elsewhere. Its past conductors include Richard Strauss, Clemens Krauss, Paul Hindemith and Claudio Abbado (...).

Under Herbert von Karajan's baton, the musicians once again demonstrated their remarkable abilities to the Bulgarian audience. The renowned conductor, who showed extraordinary musical talent from an early age, is known for demanding and achieving both technical perfection and emotional expressiveness. The audience applauded the performance of Haydn's London Symphony and Tchaikovsky's Symphony No. 5.

Karajan and the Vienna Philharmonic were presented with numerous bouquets.

Austria's Ambassador to Bulgaria, Berta Braun, hosted a reception in honour of the visit by the Vienna Philharmonic.

Vienna Philharmonic Gives Second Concert

Sofia, March 9, 1983 - Under the baton of world-renowned conductor Herbert von Karajan, the Vienna Philharmonic gave its second concert at the Lyudmila Zhivkova National Palace of Culture, featuring works by Johannes Brahms.

Young German violinist Anne-Sophie Mutter performed the Violin Concerto. Her musical talent first drew attention in 1970, when, at the age of seven, she won first prize at the Jugend musiziert competition in West Germany. Three years later, she was invited by Karajan to perform with the West Berlin Philharmonic.

The Vienna Philharmonic's interpretation of Brahms' Symphony No. 1 in C minor, under Karajan's precise direction, earned enthusiastic applause from the Bulgarian audience.