Herbert von Karajan ( 5 April 1908 – 16 July 1989 ) was one of the most celebrated and commercially successful conductors of the 20th century. An Austrian maestro born in Salzburg, he rose to international prominence in the 1930s and became principal conductor of the Berlin Philharmonic in 1955, a position he held for over three decades. Known for his pursuit of sonic perfection and powerful interpretations, Karajan transformed the orchestra into one of the world’s leading ensembles and became a pioneer in classical music recording, embracing innovations like stereo sound, compact discs, and video.