Conlon on Haitink: ‘He touched millions of people with his music’

Before the performance started, guest conductor James Conlon paid tribute to Maestro Bernard Haitink, who died in London just a few hours earlier. After his remarks, Conlon asked the audience to join him in a moment of silence, and then he led the Chicago Symphony Orchestra in J.S. Bach’s Air on the G string, in memory of Maestro Haitink.

Good evening to you all, ladies and gentlemen, thank you all for coming out to tonight’s concert. Several hours ago, this afternoon, we learned that Bernard Haitink has passed away, and of course his long association with the Chicago Symphony, whom he loved dearly, is one of the great, special relationships between an orchestra and between a conductor. He was 92 years old; he died peacefully at home, surrounded by his family. So, an extraordinary life, an extraordinary model of a man who not just was a great musician and a great conductor, but also a great human being.

And so for those of us, and I count myself amongst them, who had the privilege to know him over many years, in various geographical and musical situations, we all share the sense of his loss today. He touched millions of people with his music, which fortunately is so well documented that he and his [inaudible] will remain with us all.