MUSIC

The Berlin Philharmonic Orchestra will wait until October to begin searching in earnest for a successor to maestro Herbert von Karajan, the Philharmonic’s conductor for 34 years who died Sunday at age 81. Musicians, critics and fans already were wondering who would replace Karajan after he announced in April that he was ending his often stormy relationship with the Philharmonic and resigning as its “conductor for life.” A music critic in West Germany noted that finding a permanent replacement could take some time, since other conductors could be tied up for years with long-term contracts elsewhere. West German music writers say the front-runners are guest conductors who have filled in for Karajan over the past few years when he was absent due to illness or who have led the orchestra since he announced his resignation. Karajan last conducted the orchestra on Dec. 31.