Berlin Philharmonic Orchestra 2: They hired Herbert von Karajan
This image appears in the gallery:
13 moments that made the world's greatest orchestras even greater

3. Berlin Philharmonic Orchestra 2: They hired Herbert von Karajan
Karajan’s first performance with the Berlin Phil in April 1938 was such a sensation that it aroused the jealousy of their principal conductor Wilhelm Furtwängler. After his death, the orchestra made Herbert von Karajan its music director for life. Energetic, charismatic and visionary, Karajan honed Berlin into arguably the greatest orchestra in the world. Photo: AP