Renowned Dutch conductor Bernard Haitink dies at 92

Bernard Haitnik, the renowned Dutch conductor, has died at his home in London. He expired at the age of 92.

Also, he led the top orchestras in the world in London, Chicago, Dresden, and Amsterdam in his 65 years long career.

He was born in 1929 and has won many awards and was one of the major figures in the classical music scene of the UK.

In his final months at the podium, he gave his performances with the London Symphony Orchestra.

Haitink has more than 450 recordings. He used to see his job to embrace the orchestra without suffocating them.

The management company of the late conductor announced his death late on Thursday night. It said that he was one of the most famous conductors of his generation.

In the Netherlands, he forged his reputation as a renowned conductor. He started his musical career as a violinist. Also, he has spent much of his childhood in Nazi occupation.

He got his big break with the Netherlands Radio Philharmonic. Within six years, he also came to take charge of the Concertgebouw Orchestra in Amsterdam.

He played his role as the chief conductor for 27 long years. He has gained fame for his performance of Mahler and Bruckner.

“When he takes up the baton, it’s as though the electricity is switched on,” his wife Patricia once said. “When it’s over, he’s confronted with himself again.”

He has performed with almost all of the bigger orchestras; he has worked with Royal Opera, London Philharmonic, and Glyndebourne Festival Opera.

The Royal Opera House has also said that he got most of his recognition in the period from 1987-2002 for his interpretation of Wagner.

His first Poem at the Royal Albert Hall was the 65-minute Seventh Symphony of Bruckner in 1966. after 53 years later he performed on that symphony for the last time.

He also got recognition for his time at Chicago and Boston Symphony orchestras and in Germany. He has led Staatskapelle Dresden and the Berlin Philharmonic.

The Dutch Royal Family said that his contribution is “ unforgettable”.

Credits: BBC