1402 - Herbert von Karajahn

Herbert von Karajahn Zimmermann, Gustav 15 photographs of the orchestra. 1980–1982. Gelatin silver print. Each 17 x 24 cm. Photographer’s stamp on the reverse; some are dated. Gustav Zimmermann was a violinist with the Berlin Philharmonic from 1962 to 1997. He also took photographs on the side. His position in the orchestra allowed him a closeness to Herbert von Karajan (1908–1989) that professional photographers rarely had. The photographs are in black and white, atmospheric, and offer intimate glimpses. They are full of emotion. They show the conductor not striking a pose for the public, but in moments of concentration, rehearsal, and devotion to the music. Karajan viewed press photographers with skepticism. Some had ambushed him in the dark and blinded him with flash. For this reason, he insisted on reviewing every photograph before it was published. Zimmermann was among the photographers—alongside Siegfried Lauterwasser, Cordula Groth, and Jürgen Dibke—whom Karajan particularly valued. Zimmermann’s photographs are documented in the specialized literature and in the Berlin Philharmonic’s archive. Annemarie Kleinert’s book *Berliner Philharmoniker: From Karajan to Rattle* contains 37 of his images, which he made available free of charge. The Berlin Philharmonic’s archive lists him as the photographer of a 1979 photograph of Leonard Bernstein. Herbert von Karajan – Gustav Zimmermann. 15 photographs from the orchestra. 1980–1982. Gelatin silver prints. Each 17 x 24 cm. Photographer’s stamp on the reverse, some dated. Gustav Zimmermann was a violinist with the Berlin Philharmonic from 1962 to 1997. He also took photographs in his spare time. His position in the orchestra gave him a closeness to Herbert von Karajan (1908–1989) that professional photographers rarely had. The photographs are in black and white, atmospheric, and offer intimate insights. They are full of emotion. They show the conductor not posing for the public, but in moments of concentration, rehearsal, and devotion to the music. Karajan viewed press photographers with skepticism. Some had lain in wait for him in the dark and blinded him with flash. For this reason, he had every photograph submitted to him for approval before publication. Along with Siegfried Lauterwasser, Cordula Groth, and Jürgen Dibke, Zimmermann was among the photographers whom Karajan particularly valued. Zimmermann’s photographs are documented in the specialized literature and in the Berlin Philharmonic’s archive. Annemarie Kleinert’s book “Berliner Philharmoniker. From Karajan to Rattle” contains 37 of his photographs, which he made available free of charge. The Berlin Philharmonic archive lists him as the author of a photograph of Leonard Bernstein from 1979.