Herbert von Karajan DVD Clearance at Tower Records

Avguygeorge and Sean:

those are the two saddest and most disturbing posts I've yet read on Audiogon.

Avguygeorge, 1) I don't think we can ever abdicate responsibility for actions with the excuse that its OK to participate in some horrific criminal or murderous activity in order to save one's own life or as in the case of some articts/musicians, to save their place of privilege in society; 2) some Germans risked their lives by opposing the Nazis and other prominent Germans split from there in order to avoid being used as a tool by Hitler; 3) your comment that Stalin had a higher body count is both irrelevant and insensitive (the same is true for your Woody Allen reference).

Sean, your point is hard to follow, but I think it is that you are skeptical about the the documentation of the atrocities that the Germans committed in WWII. If that's the case, you belong to a small group of sadly misinformed and often malicious deniers (if you've ever met or heard some of these folks, you'll know its not a group to be proud to be associated with). The reason the story is, as you say, so "unified", is because it is backed up by a large body of consistent evidence. And, despite what you may think, much of the evidence was reported by people who were there -- those who suffered from it, those who witnessed it, those who particpated in it, and those who documented it.

I think as people who enjoy music and other aspects of art, we should cherish and support those who promote music and the arts in a sense of positive societal values -- and avoid those who use music/art or their station in life to support abhorrent viewpoints and regimes.

I don't know, to me music is music.--You like a piece/ or you don't. The Rachmaninoff piano 2 in c by Herbie with Alixis Weisnberg gives me goose bumps like no other version. You are welcome to take exception to my candor as it were. I never implied it was ok for Joseph to kill 25 million. To me one, is one to many. Man just happens to be a nasty beast. Wern't none of it my fault. I do know from history that in many other world locations besides Russia and Europe,that when this thing goes on, either nobody knows in time, or nobody can stop it soon enough. My father along with many many others, gave his life in WW2 to try to make the world right. BUT, as we know, man is man--it never ends. I think if we knew everything about everybody, we might might have fewer choices in music and everything else. And, don't blame me for the Woody quote.--It IS from one of his movies. I'm not quite as insensitive as these comments may make me appear. I know every deceased person was somebody's Mother,father, son, daughter,brother,etc. I also think in terms of how many scientists, future world leaders were lost forever. Their contributions never to be counted. Also, most go off to war without much of a choice. So this also applies to the casualties for both sides.

Just viewed and thoroughly enjoyed the following DVDs:
Strauss : Alpine Symphony
Beethoven : Symphony No. 9
Strauss : Also Sprach Zarathustra

Also found the Karajan Centrum website at:
http://www.karajan.org/en/centrum/index.asp