Early Years

The pre-eminent maestro of our day, caught in little-known studio recordings from the very beginning of his career, including first releases on CD of Beethoven and Mendelssohn recordings.

In an original and valuable documentary essay which serves as the booklet note, Niek Nelissen outlines the rapid and unlikely genesis of Haitink's career, from being rejected by Willem van Otterloo to taking over the reins of the Concertgebouw within less than a decade. He first stood in front of the orchestra in 1956, and five years later he was leading them on tours to the US and Japan.

In fact, these are some of Haitink's earliest recordings with an orchestra he would lead for the next 35 years as music director date from 1960, during the interim period after the sudden death of Eduard van Beinum when he shared duties with Eugen Jochum.