Rest in Peace Bernard Haitink...

[SCAudiophile]

Very sad news today with the death of Bernard Haitink, a great conductor. From a press release:

"With great sorrow, we announce the death today of Bernard Haitink, the distinguished Dutch conductor. Mr Haitink died peacefully at home with his wife and family, aged 92 years old.

Bernard Haitink was one of the most celebrated conductors of his generation. He was Chief Conductor of the Royal Concertgebouw Orchestra for 27 years. As well as holding Music Director positions at The Royal Opera, Covent Garden, and at Glyndebourne Festival Opera, Mr Haitink was Principal Conductor of the London Philharmonic Orchestra and the Chicago Symphony Orchestra. Amongst many titles bestowed, Mr Haitink was Conductor Emeritus of the Boston Symphony Orchestra, Conductor Laureate of the European Union Youth Orchestra and honorary member of the Chamber Orchestra of Europe, the Berliner Philharmoniker and the Wiener Philharmoniker, with whom he performed his last concert in September 2019.

Bernard Haitink has received many awards and honours in recognition of his services to music. He was Commander of the Order of the Netherlands Lion, Knight of the Ordre des Arts et des Lettres in France, an Honorary Companion of Honour in the UK.

Bernard Haitink’s legacy will be his unrivaled interpretations of the great symphonic and operatic masterpieces. We remember Mr Haitink not only as a legendary musician who made over 450 recordings, but also as a passionate mentor for future generations of conductors, generously offering his time to teaching and masterclasses."

 

[LL21]

Remarkable body of work. Profound loss.

 

[microstrip]

Sad news, his performance of the Shostakovitch 5th is on the top of my favorites, both for interpretation and sound. RIP.

 

[tima]

I don't have his entire Shostakovich cycle, but what I've heard is generally excellent and some performances are masterful. Try the 15th. His Mahler cycle is among the best.

One of the best tributes to a great conductor is to play one of his performances.
Thank you Mijnheer Haitink - you will be missed.

Try this:


Philips 802 884/85 2 LPs

or this


Decca 591356


The battle for Stalingrad rages in 1943 -- you gnaw on a rat bone while a sponge soaked in the astringency of despair sucks hope from your soul. In the first movement, upper strings scream at a desperate pitch as low basses roll in like black fog from the back-right corner, building to a cacophony of bass, brass and tympanic thunder. I sat transfixed at the entire orchestra laid out in layers before me, playing their parts by row and section, each clear and distinct.


Edit: correct catalog nbr.

 

[zerostargeneral]

Meister indeed, a truly gifted soul whose work will outlive us all.

I am rarely moved but this one pinches a nerve or three.

Sad regards,G.

 

[marslo]

I was in Berliner Philhamoniker for his Beethoven’s Pastorale.
Unforgettable evening.
RIP Maestro.

 

[Addicted to hifi]

Great conductor and sad news.r.I.p

 

[nirodha]

Dutch pride and proof that being humble does not mean that you do not matter. Rest in peace mr. Haitink.

 

[analyzer]

Appreciated conductor. Sad news.
R.I.P.

 

[Addicted to hifi]

Thanks to wbf I learned about this sad news.didnt hear a thing about it any where else.

 

[Vahe Sahakian]

I have many Haitink recordings both on vinyl and on CD, I no longer play vinyl, but his CD's are are priceless, in addition to Bruckner and Mahler one of my all time favorite Haitink recording is Shostakovich 11, an unusually forceful performance captured with very fine sound at Concertgebouw.