The career of Bernard Johan Herman Haitink spanned nearly seven decades, beginning with his first concert on 19 July 1954 conducting the Netherlands Radio Union Orchestra. Born in Amsterdam in 1929, the Dutch conductor and violinist emerged as a central figure in international classical music, holding principal leadership roles across major European and American orchestras throughout his life.
Early Training and Radio Beginnings
Born on 4 March 1929, Haitink was the son of Willem Haitink and Anna Clara Verschaffelt. He received his musical education at the Conservatorium van Amsterdam, where he studied violin and conducting under Felix Hupka. After initial experience as an orchestral violinist, he advanced his conducting skills through courses with Ferdinand Leitner in 1954 and 1955. His professional breakthrough arrived with the Netherlands Radio Union Orchestra, where he served as second conductor in 1955 and chief conductor by 1957.
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Haitink made his debut with the Concertgebouw Orchestra in November 1956. Following the death of Eduard van Beinum, he assumed the role of first conductor in 1959 and became sole principal conductor in 1963, a position he held for twenty-five years. His tenure was marked by extensive international tours and significant recording projects for labels including Philips, Decca, and EMI Classics. During the early 1980s, he successfully navigated a major budget crisis that threatened to reduce the orchestra's size, maintaining his tenure until 1988.
International Engagements and Opera
Beyond his Dutch roots, Haitink served as principal conductor of the London Philharmonic Orchestra from 1967 to 1979. His commitment to opera included a decade as music director at Glyndebourne starting in 1978 and his service at the Royal Opera House, Covent Garden, between 1987 and 2002. Later in his career, he held leadership posts with the Staatskapelle Dresden and concluded his primary orchestral tenure as principal conductor of the Chicago Symphony Orchestra from 2006 to 2010.
Final Years
Haitink maintained a rigorous pace well into his later years, leading master classes in Lucerne and serving as conductor laureate of the European Union Youth Orchestra. His final performance took place in Lucerne on 6 September 2019. He resided in West London with his fourth wife, Patricia, and died at his home on 21 October 2021 at the age of 92. He is buried at Brompton Cemetery.
Fast facts
- Born: 4 March 1929, Amsterdam
- Died: 21 October 2021, London
- Education: Conservatorium van Amsterdam
- Erasmus Prize: 1991
- Companion of Honour: 2002
- Royal Philharmonic Society Gold Medal: 1990
- International Opera Award: 2020
- Final concert: 6 September 2019, Lucerne
Questions readers ask
Which orchestras did Bernard Haitink lead as principal conductor?
He led the Netherlands Radio Union Orchestra, the Royal Concertgebouw Orchestra, the London Philharmonic Orchestra, the Staatskapelle Dresden, and the Chicago Symphony Orchestra.
When did Bernard Haitink retire?
Haitink retired in September 2019, following his final performance on 6 September 2019 in Lucerne.
Achievements
- Knight Commander of the Order of the British Empire
- Erasmus Prize — 1991
- Royal Philharmonic Society Gold Medal — 1990
- Commander of the Order of the Netherlands Lion — 2017
- Hans von Bülow Medal
- Instruments: violin
- Genres: classical music
