He might have been speaking of himself, as well. Haitink’s career spans some five and half decades and has put him on the podium of most of the world’s major orchestras at one time or another. He led the Concertgebouw Orchestra of Amsterdam for 27 years. Yet in a line of work notorious for drawing big egos, Haitink, 83, cuts a straightforward, almost self-effacing figure. Repeatedly during the visit, he opted to praise the musicians he works with rather than himself.
Despite his age, his command is undimmed when he stands before an orchestra. The bond between Haitink and the BSO is deep and mutual: The orchestra clearly enjoys playing for him, and the conductor appreciates what he sees as the enduring quality of its musicianship.
“It is not a conductor-friendly orchestra, I think,” he said candidly. “I think they are very critical. And maybe that’s good. But to me, they are very friendly, I must say. I always encounter great friendliness and great professionalism. And I’m very fond of them, to be honest.”
In fact, the chance to associate with musicians is one of the things that keeps Haitink so busy at an age when many conductors have either retired or cut back on their schedules. In addition to his long relationship with Boston, Haitink was principal conductor at the Chicago Symphony Orchestra from 2006 to 2010 — bridging the gap between music directors Daniel Barenboim and Riccardo Muti — and recently led the New York Philharmonic for the first time since 1978. In Europe he has long-standing relationships with orchestras in London, Berlin, Vienna, and Amsterdam.
“I need musicians,” he said. “I need to be together with them. They can be very sophisticated, and they know the whole business, and can even be a little bit cynical. But on the other side they have an incredible spontaneous ability to follow you. . . . There is an instinctive approach and a sophisticated approach. And that I enjoy.”
