Bernard Haitink conducts the NOS Radio Choir and the Rotterdam Philharmonic Orchestra in a performance of Gustav Mahler’s Symphony No. 2 in C minor (Resurrection), recorded live from the Doelen Concert Hall in Rotterdam. The soloists are Charlotte Margiono (soprano) and Jard van Nes (contralto).
Symphony No. 4 in G Major
Recorded live from the Concertgebouw, Amsterdam, Haitink conducts the Concertgebouw Orchestra in a performance of Mahler’s Symphony No. 4 in G major. Maria Ewing sings the soprano solo in the work’s finale.
Symphonie Fantastique
In this live recording from the Concertgebouw, Amsterdam, Haitink conducts the Concertgebouw Orchestra in a performance of Berlioz’s Symphonie fantastique Op. 14. Sub-titled Episodes in the Life of an Artist by the composer, this brilliant psychological fantasy in music is thought to have been inspired by his passion for the famous Irish actress Harriet Smithson.
Symphony No. 3 in D minor
In this live concert recording from the Concertgebouw, Amsterdam, Haitink conducts the NOS Women’s Choir, the North Holland Boys’ Choir and the Concertgebouw Orchestra in a performance of Mahler’s Symphony No. 3 in D minor, with soloist Carolyn Watkinson (contralto).
Franz Liszt
The Hungarian piano virtuoso Liszt (1811-86) led an illustrious life between Paris, his base as a performer, Weimar, where he was court musical director, composer and champion of new music, and Rome, where he took minor holy orders, entitling him to be called Abbé. Focusing on the end of his life and his last compositions, in particular La Lugubre Gondola, this film shows that he was not just one of the last great Romantics, but that his final compositions range harmonically far into the future.
Bach, Four Orchestral Suites
Four delightful performance programmes feature the leading international chamber orchestra which specialises in authentic renditions on fine reproduction period instruments.
Bach’s orchestral suites (BWV 1066-9), No. 1 in C, No. 2 in B minor, and Nos 3 and 4 in D major, were recorded in the magnificent baroque surroundings of the Palace Het Loo, built by William of Orange. A different part of the palace forms an elegant and fitting backdrop to each performance. Baroque specialist Ton Koopman conducts his orchestra from the harpsichord.
Mahler – Symphony No. 4
Concert on the occasion of the 50th anniversary of Bernard Haitink’s collaboration with the Royal Concertgebouw Orchestra. On the programme Gustav Mahler’s Symphony No. 4 with German soprano Christine Schäfer as soloist.
RCO: Beethoven 7
On occation of his 80th birthday, legendary conductor Bernard Haitink leads ‘his’ Royal Concertgebouw Orchestra in this great production of Beethoven’s 7th Symphony.
Mahler: Lieder eines fahrenden Gesellen / Dvorák: Symphony No. 8 (Kerstmatinee 2007)
Star baritone Thomas Hampson is the soloist in this performance of Mahler’s ‘Lieder eines Fahrenden Gesellen’. Joining him are famous conductor Bernard Haitink and the Royal Concertgebouw Orchestra. Also on the programme: Antonín Dvorák’s Symphony No. 8.
Mahler: Songs from ‘Des Kaben Wunderhorn / Beethoven: Symphony No. 6 (Kerstmatinee 2009)
Bernard Haitink and the Royal Concertgebouw Orchestra performing Gustav Mahler’s stunning Songs from ‘Des Kaben Wunderhorn and Beethoven’s Pastorale. Joining them is the young Dutch mezzo-soprano Christianne Stotijn.