Karajan conducts the New Year's Eve Concert 1983

For millions around the world in the 1980s, Herbert von Karajan and the Berlin Philharmonic were the face of classical music, and their bestselling compilation albums of popular classics took orchestral music into the homes of non-specialist listeners around the globe. Karajan and his orchestra brought a special finesse and verve even to the most playful repertoire, and those qualities sparkle through in this recording of their 1983 New Year's Eve concert (Silvesterkonzert) – an annual highlight of Berlin's musical calendar. Tuneful favourites by Rossini, Smetana, Sibelius and the Strauss family receive the performances of a lifetime – possibly of the century.

Ensemble: 

Berliner Philharmoniker

Conductor: 

Herbert von Karajan