The Quiet Conductor

Bernard Haitink is not a superstar in the way that Simon Rattle is, or even in the way that Riccardo Muti has become. But Haitink has quietly cultivated a reputation as one of the world’s top conductors, and the respect with which he speaks of the world’s great orchestras mirrors the love and respect musicians seem to have for him. Still, Haitink has strong opinions about the ensembles he leads, and his peers on the podium, and he isn’t afraid to express them.