Bernard Haitink

In honour of Bernard Haitink's 90th birthday this year, Decca presents one of the conductor's most lauded and respected series of repertoire. Bruckner's symphonic cycle is played here by the Royal Concertgebouw Orchestra, recently voted by Gramophone Magazine as ‘The Greatest Orchestra in the World’.

Bernard Haitink, internationally renowned for his interpretations of Bruckner, returns at the helm of the LSO following his acclaimed recording for the label of the fourth Symphony. Bruckner s symphonies are often described as Gothic cathedrals in sound, an apt description considering the composer s devout faith and early vocation as an organist. He died before he could finish his 9th Symphony but within its three movements can be found some of his most complete music, imbued with a sense of deep solace and resolution.

Beethoven took a massive stride forward in the development of the symphonic form with the 'Eroica'. Not only is the work written on an unprecedented scale, it also lays the very foundations of Romanticism in music.The symphony mirrors Beethoven's own emergence from despair and he used it to symbolize mankind's capacity for greatness. He initially dedicated the score to Napoleon whom embodied his view of greatness. However, when Napoleon crowned himself Emperor, Beethoven furiously removed the dedication from the score.

Beethoven's Ninth Symphony is a landmark in the history of music, changing the concept of what a symphony could be. The use of solo singers and a chorus in the final movement was revolutionary, and the emotional journey to a glorious vision of a world of love and tolerance paved the way for idealistic symphonies to come.

Bernard Johann Herman Haitink built a reputation as one of the finest conductors of the 20th Century with a wide repertory and meticulous yet warm and exciting performances. He studied violin at Amsterdam Conservatory, and began his musical career as a violinist in the Netherlands Radio Philharmonic. He took conducting studies with Felix Hupka when he was at conservatory and then two Netherlands Radio Union conducting courses with Ferdinand Leitner. He was named second conductor with the Radio Union, leading four different orchestras or ensembles. He was promoted to principal conductor of the Netherlands Radio Philharmonic itself, at the age of 27. After his good showing when called as a last-minute replacement at the Amsterdam Concertgebouw in Cherubini's Requiem in 1956, the Concertgebouw Orchestra frequently engaged him as a guest conductor. After Eduard van Beinum died, two conductors were named principal conductor of the Concertgebouw: Haitink (at thirty-two the youngest principal conductor ever) and the veteran Eugen Jochum. Two years later, Jochum left, leaving Haitink in sole charge. He became the principal conductor and then artistic director of the LPO, retaining that position until 1979. He recorded frequently with both orchestras, taking care not to favor one over the other out of concern for the musicians' feelings. An example of this occurred when he was planning a recording of Strauss's Ein Heldenleben, which has one of the most prominent of solo violin parts for a concertmaster.

The great Dutch conductor Bernard Haitink’s 90th birthday is celebrated by one of the world’s greatest orchestras, the Bavarian Radio Symphony—with whom he’s developed a close rapport down the years. This Portrait focuses on a handful of the great Austro-German classics and reveals Haitink’s authority, consistency, and inspired leadership. His Mahler (Symphonies Nos. 3, 4, and 9) is powerful and heartfelt, and his Bruckner (No. 5) is built with the experience of having performed this music for decades. In Beethoven’s Missa solemnis he conveys us to rare spiritual heights, and in Haydn’s two oratorios there’s charm, humor, and a very special and touching humanity.

Enregistrée en public les 15 et 17 juin 2016 à Munich, cette Troisième de Mahler – la plus longue du compositeur, avec quelque cent minutes de durée – bénéficie grandement de la vision architecturale du vénérable Bernard Haitink, alors âgé de quatre-vingt-six printemps, toujours aussi présent dans l’âme et à la fois discret dans la gestuelle.