Saturday 23 February 2019

Utterly moving - Bernard Haitink Beethoven, Gasteig


Bernard Haitink conducting Beethoven Symphony no 9 with the Symphonieorchester des Bayerischen Rundfunks livestreamed from the Philharmonie im Gasteig on BR Klassik.  Soloists Sally Matthews, Gerhild Romberger, Mark Padmore and Gerald Finley, with the Bayerischen Rundfunks Choir.  Nuno Coelho conducted the opener Meeres Stille und Glückliche Fahrt,  saving the highlight for Haitink. A highly emotional occasion most of us who experienced it will never forget.  Listen again HERE for a limited period.  An excellent, punchy performance, even though Haitink looked tired and frail.  Which makes us appreciate him all the more! Don't miss the long farewell at the end. Tears run down Haitink's cheeks, though he turns away from the camera. Such humility, such sincerity, all in the service of the music he loves.  That's exactly why we love him.


Last month in Amsterdam, he did three concerts in a row  - 24th, 25th and 26th Jan. Wisely a rest before he returns to the Barbican Hall in London to conduct the London Symphony Orchestra  on March 10th with Mozart and Bruckner (which will be livestreamed) and Dvorak and Mahler on the 14th and 21st.   On 18th, he'll repeat the LSO programme at the Philharmonie de Paris.  

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