Richard Osborne is known to classical music lovers as the presenter of Radio 3's Saturday Review. With this book, he presents a major biography of Herbert von Karajan, the controversial Austrian composer.

Nearly ten years after its original publication, The Maestro Myth continues to enthrall readers with its insightful look into the lives and careers of the world's most celebrated conductors. Now updated and including two new chapters, this volume portrays the politics and inflated economics surrounding the podiums of today's international classical music scene, and the obstacles faced by blacks, women, and gays. From Richard Strauss to Herbert von Karajan to Leonard Bernstein to Simon Rattle, The Maesto Myth examines the world of classical music and the mounting crisis in a profession where genuine talent grows ever scarcer. It is a must-have resource for music aficiionados as well as anyone interested in the behind-the-scenes lives of these music masters. Book jacket.

The Berlin Philharmonic is a synonym for excellent musical enjoyment. During the last fifty years it has gone from success to success with its illustrious conductors Herbert von Karajan, Claudio Abbado, and Sir Simon Rattle. Dr. Annemarie Kleinert relates the history of this period. Knowledgeable and entertainingly, she presents the development and the internal organization of the orchestra, its collaboration with renowned guest conductors, soloists, and composers, as well as its many voyages. This is a factual yet also engaging book that includes personal observations of musicians and conductors along with numerous photographs mostly taken by one of the members of this musical ensemble.

An expert's guide to the skills of the greatest conductors