Herbert von Karajan

It is an unfortunate aspect of the present day that there are those who cannot necessarily see and appreciate pure greatness when it stares them in the face. The excuse usually given is that some people could not forgive, let alone understand, why he joined the Nazi Party. However, Karajan never was an active party member. He did it to get a job. More unfortunate is that Karajan's marvelous legacy is unparalleled. Aside from its sheer breadth, the "rightness" of practically everything should be obvious upon the most cursory listening. One can depend on a consistently high level of musicality, tempo, phrase, light and shade in everything Karajan touched. His mastery of the music was inexplicable, memorizing virtually everything note for note-to the degree that it can be compared to knowing where every grain of sand is in a building. His ability to transmit his consummate musicianship through his motions, critical ear and carefully chosen words are virtually unmatched. Can anyone listen