Bernard Haitink, a titan of classical music and one of the most revered conductors of the 20th century, leaves behind an extraordinary legacy with his final album, "Homage." Released posthumously on November 5, 2021, this monumental collection spans an impressive four hours and thirty-five minutes, featuring 52 tracks that showcase Haitink's unparalleled mastery and deep connection with the orchestral and operatic repertoire.
"Homage" is a testament to Haitink's illustrious career, encapsulating his profound interpretations of some of the most beloved works in classical music. The album begins with the overture to Mozart's "Le nozze di Figaro" and takes the listener on a journey through masterpieces by composers such as Verdi, Vaughan Williams, Wagner, Elgar, Schumann, Mascagni, Berlioz, Strauss, Weber, and Britten. Each piece is performed with Haitink's signature precision, sensitivity, and emotional depth, highlighting his ability to draw out the essence of every composition.
The album features performances by some of the world's most distinguished orchestras, including the Symphonieorchester des Bayerischen and the Radio Filharmonisch Orkest, with whom Haitink shared a long and fruitful collaboration. His interpretations are marked by a rare combination of technical brilliance and profound musical insight, making this album a fitting tribute to his enduring legacy.
"Homage" is not just a collection of recordings; it is a celebration of Bernard Haitink's life and work. His passing in 2021 at the age of 92 left a void in the classical music world, but this album ensures that his artistry continues to inspire and move audiences. Whether you are a longtime admirer of Haitink or a newcomer to his work, "Homage" offers a profound and enriching listening experience that underscores the timeless beauty of classical music.
Mozart: Le nozze di Figaro, K. 492: SinfoniaWolfgang Amadeus Mozart, Bernard Haitink, London Philharmonic Orchestra
Mozart: Le nozze di Figaro, K. 492, Act 1: Aria. "Non più andrai, farfallone amoroso" (Figaro)Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, Bernard Haitink, Claudio Desderi, London Philharmonic Orchestra
Mozart: Le nozze di Figaro, K. 492, Act 2: Cavatina. "Porgi, amor" (Contessa)Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, Bernard Haitink, Felicity Lott, London Philharmonic Orchestra
Mozart: Le nozze di Figaro, K. 492, Act 2: Canzona. "Voi che sapete" (Cherubino)Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, Bernard Haitink, Faith Esham, London Philharmonic Orchestra
Mozart: Le nozze di Figaro, K. 492, Act 3: "Sull'aria... Che soave zeffiretto" (Contessa, Susanna)Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, Bernard Haitink, London Philharmonic Orchestra
Verdi: Nabucco, Act 3: Chorus of the Hebrew Slaves. "Va pensiero, sull'ali dorate"Giuseppe Verdi, Bernard Haitink, Chorus of the Royal Opera House, Covent Garden, Orchestra of the Royal Opera House, Covent Garden
Vaughan Williams: The Lark AscendingRalph Vaughan Williams, Bernard Haitink, Sarah Chang, London Philharmonic Orchestra
Vaughan Williams: Fantasia on a Theme by Thomas TallisRalph Vaughan Williams, Bernard Haitink, London Philharmonic Orchestra
Wagner: Götterdämmerung, Prologue: PreludeRichard Wagner, Bernard Haitink, Bavarian Radio Symphony Orchestra
Wagner: Götterdämmerung, Prologue: "Welch Licht leuchtet dort?" (Norns)Richard Wagner, Bernard Haitink, Anne Sofie von Otter, Jane Eaglen, Jard van Nes, Bavarian Radio Symphony Orchestra
Wagner: Götterdämmerung, Prologue: "Dämmert der Tag?" (Norns)Richard Wagner, Bernard Haitink, Anne Sofie von Otter, Jane Eaglen, Jard van Nes, Bavarian Radio Symphony Orchestra
Wagner: Götterdämmerung, Prologue: DawnRichard Wagner, Bernard Haitink, Bavarian Radio Symphony Orchestra
Wagner: Götterdämmerung, Prologue: "Zu neuen Taten, teurer Helde" (Brünnhilde)Richard Wagner, Bernard Haitink, Eva Marton, Bavarian Radio Symphony Orchestra
Wagner: Götterdämmerung, Prologue: "Mehr gabst du, Wunderfrau" (Siegfried, Brünnhilde)Richard Wagner, Bernard Haitink, Siegfried Jerusalem, Eva Marton, Bavarian Radio Symphony Orchestra
Wagner: Götterdämmerung, Prologue: "O heilige Götter!" (Siegfried, Brünnhilde)Richard Wagner, Bernard Haitink, Siegfried Jerusalem, Eva Marton, Bavarian Radio Symphony Orchestra
Wagner: Götterdämmerung, Prologue: Siegfried's Rhine JourneyRichard Wagner, Bernard Haitink, Bavarian Radio Symphony Orchestra
Elgar: 5 Pomp and Circumstance Marches, Op. 39: No. 5 in C MajorEdward Elgar, Bernard Haitink, Philharmonia Orchestra
Schumann: Cello Concerto in A Minor, Op. 129: I. Nicht zu schnell (Live)Robert Schumann, Gautier Capuçon, Bernard Haitink, Chamber Orchestra of Europe
Schumann: Cello Concerto in A Minor, Op. 129: II. Langsam (Live)Robert Schumann, Gautier Capuçon, Bernard Haitink, Chamber Orchestra of Europe
Schumann: Cello Concerto in A Minor, Op. 129: III. Sehr lebhaft (Live)Robert Schumann, Gautier Capuçon, Bernard Haitink, Chamber Orchestra of Europe
Mascagni: Cavalleria rusticana: Easter Hymn. "Regina coeli laetare"Pietro Mascagni, Helen Field, Chorus of the Royal Opera House, Covent Garden, Orchestra of the Royal Opera House, Covent Garden, Bernard Haitink, Paul Griffiths
Mozart: Die Zauberflöte, K. 620: OvertureWolfgang Amadeus Mozart, Bernard Haitink, Bavarian Radio Symphony Orchestra
Mozart: Die Zauberflöte, K. 620, Act 1: "Der Vogelfänger bin ich ja" (Papageno)Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, Bernard Haitink, Wolfgang Brendel, Sinfonie-Orchester Des Bayerischen Rundfunks
Mozart: Die Zauberflöte, K. 620, Act 2: "Der Hölle Rache kocht in meinem Herzen" (Königin der Nacht)Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, Bernard Haitink, Edita Gruberova, Bavarian Radio Symphony Orchestra
Mozart: Die Zauberflöte, K. 620, Act 2: "Ein Mädchen oder Weibchen" (Papageno)Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, Bernard Haitink, Wolfgang Brendel, Bavarian Radio Symphony Orchestra
Mozart: Die Zauberflöte, K. 620, Act 2: "Pa-pa-pa-pa-pagena!" (Papageno, Papagena)Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, Bernard Haitink, Brigitte Lindner, Wolfgang Brendel, Bavarian Radio Symphony Orchestra
Berlioz: Les Troyens, H 133, Act 4: Royal Hunt and Storm. "Italie !"Hector Berlioz, Bernard Haitink, Chorus of the Royal Opera House, Covent Garden, Orchestra of the Royal Opera House, Covent Garden
Vaughan Williams: Symphony No. 9 in E Minor: I. Moderato maestosoRalph Vaughan Williams, Bernard Haitink, Ann McAneney, London Philharmonic Orchestra
Vaughan Williams: Symphony No. 9 in E Minor: II. Andante sostenutoRalph Vaughan Williams, Bernard Haitink, Ann McAneney, London Philharmonic Orchestra
Vaughan Williams: Symphony No. 9 in E Minor: III. Scherzo. Allegro pesanteRalph Vaughan Williams, Bernard Haitink, Ann McAneney, London Philharmonic Orchestra
Vaughan Williams: Symphony No. 9 in E Minor: IV. Andante tranquillo - Poco animatoRalph Vaughan Williams, Bernard Haitink, Ann McAneney, London Philharmonic Orchestra
Strauss, R: Der Rosenkavalier, Op. 59, Act 3: "Marie Theres'! Hab' mir's gelobt" (Octavian, Marschallin, Sophie)Richard Strauss, Bernard Haitink, Anne Sofie von Otter, Barbara Hendricks, Kiri Te Kanawa, Staatskapelle Dresden
Strauss, R: Der Rosenkavalier, Op. 59, Act 3: "Ist ein Traum, kann nicht wirklich sein" (Sophie, Octavian, Faninal, Marschallin)Richard Strauss, Bernard Haitink, Anne Sofie von Otter, Barbara Hendricks, Franz Grundheber, Kiri Te Kanawa, Staatskapelle Dresden
Strauss, R: Der Rosenkavalier, Op. 59, Act 3: Finale. "Ist ein Traum, kann nicht wirklich sein" (Sophie, Octavian)Richard Strauss, Bernard Haitink, Anne Sofie von Otter, Barbara Hendricks, Staatskapelle Dresden
Verdi: Aida, Act 2: Triumphal Chorus. "Gloria all' Egitto" - Triumphal MarchGiuseppe Verdi, Bernard Haitink, Chorus of the Royal Opera House, Covent Garden, Orchestra of the Royal Opera House, Covent Garden
Mozart: Don Giovanni, K. 527: SinfoniaWolfgang Amadeus Mozart, Bernard Haitink, London Philharmonic Orchestra
Mozart: Don Giovanni, K. 527, Act 1: Aria. "Madamina, il catalogo è questo" (Leporello)Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, Bernard Haitink, Richard van Allan, London Philharmonic Orchestra
Mozart: Don Giovanni, K. 527, Act 1: Aria. "Finch'han dal vino" (Don Giovanni)Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, Bernard Haitink, Thomas Allen, London Philharmonic Orchestra
Mozart: Don Giovanni, K. 527, Act 1: "Batti, batti, o bel Masetto" (Zerlina)Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, Bernard Haitink, Elizabeth Gale, London Philharmonic Orchestra
Mozart: Don Giovanni, K. 527, Act 2: "Deh vieni all finestra" (Don Giovanni)Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, Bernard Haitink, Thomas Allen, London Philharmonic Orchestra
Strauss, R: Daphne, Op. 82: "Ei, so flieget, sie vorbei" (Maids, Leukippos)Richard Strauss, Bernard Haitink, Dorothea Wirtz, Peter Schreier, Uta-Maria Flake, Bavarian Radio Symphony Orchestra
Strauss, R: Daphne, Op. 82: "Seid ihr um mich, ihr Hirten alle?" (Peneios, Chorus, Gaea)Richard Strauss, Bernard Haitink, Bavarian Radio Chorus, Kurt Moll, Ortrun Wenkel, Bavarian Radio Symphony Orchestra
Strauss, R: Daphne, Op. 82: "Ich grüße dich, weiser, erfahrener Fischer" (Apollo, Peneios, Gaea, Chorus)Richard Strauss, Bernard Haitink, Bavarian Radio Chorus, Kurt Moll, Ortrun Wenkel, Reiner Goldberg, Bavarian Radio Symphony Orchestra
Strauss, R: Daphne, Op. 82: "Was führt dich her im niedern Gewande?" (Apollo, Daphne)Richard Strauss, Bernard Haitink, Lucia Popp, Reiner Goldberg, Bavarian Radio Symphony Orchestra
Strauss, R: Daphne, Op. 82: "Wie bist du gewaltig, fremder Hirte" (Daphne, Apollo)Richard Strauss, Bernard Haitink, Lucia Popp, Reiner Goldberg, Bavarian Radio Symphony Orchestra
Weber: Der Freischütz, Op. 77, J. 277, Act 3: Huntsmen's Chorus. "Was gleicht wohl auf Erden dem Jägervergnügen?"Carl Maria von Weber, Bernard Haitink, Chorus of the Royal Opera House, Covent Garden, Orchestra of the Royal Opera House, Covent Garden
Britten: Peter Grimes, Op. 33, Act 2: Interlude I. Sunday MorningBenjamin Britten, Bernard Haitink, Orchestra of the Royal Opera House, Covent Garden
Britten: Peter Grimes, Op. 33, Act 2, Scene 1: "Glitter of Waves and Glitter of Sunlight" (Ellen, Chorus, Rector)Benjamin Britten, Bernard Haitink, Orchestra of the Royal Opera House, Covent Garden
Britten: Peter Grimes, Op. 33, Act 2, Scene 1: "Child You're Not Too Young" (Ellen, Chorus, Rector, Peter)Benjamin Britten, Bernard Haitink, Orchestra of the Royal Opera House, Covent Garden
Britten: Peter Grimes, Op. 33, Act 2, Scene 1: "This Unrelenting Work" (Ellen, Peter, Chorus)Benjamin Britten, Bernard Haitink, Anthony Rolfe Johnson, Chorus of the Royal Opera House, Covent Garden, Felicity Lott, Orchestra of the Royal Opera House, Covent Garden