“So Herbert von Karajan glorified tradition with his Salzburg Festival, promoted favorite musicians (violinist Anne-Sophie Mutter and clarinetist Sabine Meyer come to mind) and amassed extraordinary wealth (not just millions, but hundreds of millions of dollars). He had his flaws, plenty of them. Listen to either of those Bruckner Eighths, though, and you’ll forgive the shortcomings in favor of astonishing art, undiminished by time.”