Bernard Haitink

Bernard Haitink is a conductor and violinist from Amsterdam whose illustrious career as a classical musician on the international stage has spanned over half a century. Since getting his start as the second conductor of the Netherlands Radio Union Orchestra in 1955, Haitink would be named the first conductor in 1956 of the world-renowned Dutch Royal Concertgebouw Orchestra, and its principal conductor in 1961. Haitink would continue his role as the orchestra's chief conductor until 1988, and would go onto to serve as the principal conductor as a guest or honorary member of several prestigious orchestras throughout the world.