Bernard Haitink, who was born in 1929 in Amsterdam, studied violin at the Conservatory of his native city and took conducting courses from Ferdinand Leitner. His first appointment was as violinist with the Netherlands Radio Symphony Orchestra, whose principal guest conductor he became in 1955. The following year he conducted the Royal Concertgebouw Orchestra for the first time. In 1961 he was appointed principal conductor of this renowned ensemble alongside Eugen Jochum, and from 1964 to 1988 he took on full responsibility for the orchestra. In addition, he has served as artistic director of the London Philharmonic Orchestra (1967–79), the Glyndebourne Festival (1977–88), and the Royal Opera House in London (1987–2002); as principal conductor of the Staatskapelle Dresden (2002–04); and as principal conductor of the Chicago Symphony Orchestra (2006–10). Some of the ensembles that Bernard Haitink conducts as a guest conductor include the Berlin and Vienna Philharmonics, the Boston Symphony Orchestra, and the Bavarian Radio Symphony Orchestra. Music of the 19th and early 20th centuries is the focus of his repertory; in particular his interpretations of Bruckner, Mahler, and Shostakovich, which have also been recorded, are considered benchmarks. He collaborated with the Chamber Orchestra of Europe in the 2008-09 season to perform a Beethoven cycle exclusively for LUCERNE FESTIVAL; in 2010-11 they have undertaken a seven-part Brahms project. Haitink is also closely connected to the Festival in an educational capacity through his master class in conducting, which began in April 2011. Bernard Haitink has been honored with numerous awards for his musical achievements: He is honorary conductor of the Royal Concertgebouw Orchestra, a Knight of the British Empire, and a member of the Order of the House of Orange-Nassau. Musical America named him Musician of the Year in 2007.
LUCERNE FESTIVAL (IMF) debut on 17 August 1966 with the Swiss Festival Orchestra in works by Schubert, Martin, and Mahler.
August 2011