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| The 125 year old Concertgebouw in Amsterdam. |
Early this morning I had my first cup of coffee in the best possible company; I watched the broadcast of the Concertgebouw 125th Anniversary Concert on the French-German ARTE television channel. The concert was a pure delight for both the ears and the eyes. The Concertgebouw is of probably one of the five or six best and most beautiful concert halls in the world, and the Royal Concertgebouw Orchestra is without doubt a world class orchestra.
In this festive concert the Concertgebouw was led by its former chief conductor Bernard Haitink,who created an evening of musical magic. The way the orchestra played Beethoven's Pastoral symphony was out of this world. I do not think that I have heard a better version of this delightful work.
The symphony was followed by a selection of songs from Mahler's wonderful cycle Des Knaben Wunderhorn, with the velvet voiced Dutch mezzo soprano Christianne Stotijn as soloist.
Below is a small selection of photographs from the memorable concert, which hopefully will be available on blu ray soon:
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| The Concertgebouw is famous for its excellent accoustics. |
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| Bernard Haitink, with some big names in the background. |
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| The Concertgebouw Orchestra flutists and oboists were outstanding in the Pastoral Symphony. |
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| The Concertgebouw audience was captivated by the playing. |
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| Haitink in full control of the orchestra. |
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| Haitink and Stotijn in Mahler's Des Knaben Wunderhorn. |
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| The wonderful Dutch mezzo soprano Christianne Stotijn at the Concertgebouw. |
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| Bernard Haitink, Honorary Conductor of the Royal Concertgebouw Orchestra. |
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