Dutch top conductor Bernard Haitink has passed away at the age of 92. According to his management firm, he died peacefully in his hometown of London, surrounded by his wife and family. He was regarded as one of the greatest conductors in the world.
Haitink’s name is mainly associated with the Concertgebouw Orchestra, which he led as chief conductor between 1961 and 1988. Since 1999, he has been awarded the title of honorary conductor. He also led orchestras in London, Dresden and Chicago, among others.
Mahler and Brückner
Haitink grew up in Amsterdam and started playing the violin at a young age. However, his ambition was to become a conductor and at the age of 26 he became chief conductor of the Radio Philharmonic Orchestra. He quickly made a career and six years later he was at the helm of the Concertgebouw Orchestra.
Haitink expanded the already renowned position of the Concertgebouw Orchestra with international tours and performances of symphonies by Mahler and Bruckner, among others. He was praised, among other things, for the way in which he managed to realize great musical tensions.
Farewell in Lucerne
From the beginning of his career, Haitink also did many guest conductorships. He has performed with virtually all major orchestras in the western world. It earned him knighthoods in the United Kingdom and France, among others. In his own country, he was appointed Commander in the Order of the Netherlands Lion in 2017, one of the highest honors for a civilian.
A few years ago, Haitink announced that he was going to stop, partly because of his health. In June 2019 he joined for the last time in the Concertgebouw and in September of that year he conducted his last concert in the Swiss city of Lucerne, with the Vienna Philharmonic.
His management firm calls Haitink one of the most celebrated conductors of his generation. We will remember him not only as a legendary musician who released more than 450 recordings, but also as a passionate mentor to future generations of conductors. a statement.
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