Legendary Conductor Edo de Waart Retires After Illustrious Musical Career

Nearly five thousand concerts in more than sixty years, with dozens of orchestras around the world. Once an assistant conductor to celebrities such as Bernard Haitink and Leonard Bernstein and also married six times. It has now been enough: the almost 83-year-old chief conductor Edo de Waart will stop immediately and retire.

An unexpectedly announced departure to the great sadness of the Radio Philharmonic Orchestra, where De Waart was once chief conductor and now honorary conductor. “He was supposed to conduct this week and on Tuesday morning he thought: I’m not going to do it, I’m done with it. So that was a surprise for us,” says Hans Zonderop of the Radio Philharmonic Orchestra.

It was a decision that De Waart could not ignore. “I can no longer physically present a program as I was used to. I have to sit and often catch myself and hold onto things when I walk somewhere. Yes, and then it becomes a kind of circus display,” says De Waart in an interview with News hour. “I’m also afraid that one day I’ll fall to my death on stage.”

Musicians praise De Waart. “He could rehearse so incredibly well,” says Mariska Godwaldt of the Radio Philharmonic Orchestra. “And then we were done with the rehearsal process and so incredibly confident. Then we all had the feeling: well, bring it on. We are completely ready for it. That is really to his credit.”

His career as a conductor took De Waart all over the world. And that career started early:

Looking back on his career speaks volumes De Waart still with enthusiasm. “The great thing about making music is that you lift your hands and put them down. And there is sound. That is something unimaginable. That is also why I started conducting. To be part of that process.”

Starting as an oboist and soon becoming part of the Royal Concertgebouw Orchestra, he had a major role to play in Dutch and international musical life. De Waart was not only chief conductor in the Netherlands, but also of various orchestras in America, Australia, Hong Kong and New Zealand.

His former assistant Lawrence Renes, also a conductor, has nothing but admiration for De Waart’s expertise and still sees him as his most important teacher. “I am so grateful for everything he has given me. How to work with an orchestra, how to organize rehearsals, how to make music, how to speak to people.”

Renes says that De Waart has always put himself at the service of music. “And serving the orchestras he has worked with. That is what has always driven him: wanting to make music. With people for people.”

That’s why the Radio Philharmonic Orchestra really wanted a nice one parting want to organize. “I find it very unfortunate and sad that we have not been able to give shape to that beautiful farewell,” says Godwaldt. “That would have been very nice if we could have done that.”

But the farewell suddenly happened this week. “It didn’t hurt,” says De Waart. “I didn’t feel like crying either – although I cry easily as I get older – but there was no sadness. I’ve had a fantastic life. When I woke up yesterday I thought: I’m free. Free from the pressure of having to be.”