The Daily Telegraph declares Anschluss on Karajan's recorded legacy:
No one ever nominates Karajan's recording of a work as their favourite, though his version might come in at number three or four.
As much as we don't really join the Kreepy Karajan Kult and as much as we enjoyed Uncle Normy's slam, we have to say in all fairness that Karajan's Salome might very well be the best ever recorded. His Zarathustra, too. In general, his Strauss is not to be messed with, and rates much much higher than coming in at a mere "three or four".
And even though opera is not ALL about the conductor (much, but not all) Herbie's Bohème with Pavarotti and Freni might be the best ever (fighting it out with Kleiber's, ok, ok); and Karajan's Trovatore (with a not unimpressive cast, Callas Di Stefano Panerai Barbieri) is pretty much the best out there, too.