The Austrian-born conductor Herbert von Karajan (1908-1989) was possibly the most significant conductor during the second half of the twentieth century. As an interpreter he is thought to have made more recordings than any other classical artist. In addition he was conductor of the Berlin Philharmonic from 1955 until his death, but also his influence in both Vienna and at the Salzburg Festival during the same period was immense. Further to these were his appearances with the Philharmonia Orchestra between 1948 and 1960 but also his directing at La Scala in Milan and his visits to Japan. He left a large number of filmed recordings of his conducting.
