New documentary: Bernard Haitink: It comes my way

The 90-year-old conductor will make his last podium appearance in September and retires from conducting, EuroArts presents a new very moving portrait.

Together with Hans Haffmans, Dutch radio and television presenter, Bernard Haitink is reflecting on his long career and his life and he is looking forward to the future. The film turns out to be a very moving portrait of a man who can’t enjoy his great success.

Haffmans visits Haitink and his wife Patricia at his holiday residence in south-west France. Two days of intimate conversations, including studying the Mengelberg score of “Das Lied von der Erde”, and a relaxed stroll in the garden. Bernard Haitink and Haffmans are very close, almost like a father and son.

The interview is intervowen with unique archival footage and photos: We see a very young Haitink struggling with the Concertgebouworchestra and with Mahler’s Second Symphony. And an older and far more experienced Haitink working with the Berlin Philharmonic. A recording session for Philips in the 70’s, a masterclass in Luzern and Haitink conducting an energetic European Union Youth Orchestra.

Bernard Haitink is very open, personal and he is vulnerable:
“I am shy by nature...” And after a concert: “Tomorrow it’s all over and you’re back with yourself again...” He is 90 years old now, but still going strong, why? “Maybe I can do it better next time...maybe.”

Duration 49
Genre Documentary
Production year 2019
Producer Joost Honselaar
Distribution TV EuroArts Music
Distribution DVD EuroArts Music
Director Joost Honselaar and Hans Haffmans
Video format HD