Bernard Haitink believed that genius should speak for itself
The great conductor died on October 21st, aged 92
THE WORDS “great conductor” and “humility” are not often found together. Almost inevitably, given the podium, the magic baton, the formal dress and the commanding drama of the job, conductors abound with ego. Bernard Haitink had no time for that. He was a man of few gestures and even fewer words, humbly performing the mysterious task that had become his life.
This article appeared in the Obituary section of the print edition under the headline “Music, not words”
Obituary November 6th 2021
From the November 6th 2021 edition
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