Haitink Conducts Mahler BBC Proms

A single great Symphony conducted by one of the world's most celebrated

musicians. A warm welcome to a special night at the BBC Proms.

Tonight, Bernard Haitink marks 50 years since his first appearance at

the Proms and we are celebrating in style. Back in 1966 he conducted

Bruckner's seventh and tonight he undertakes Mahler's Third Symphony.

It is one of the most powerful, expansive musical visions of nature

ever created, Mahler's personal him to the natural world. It is vast,

not Justin Langer, over an hour and a half, but also in its forces. We

have the London Symphony Orchestra joined by the mezzo-soprano Sarah

Connolly, the women's voices of the London Symphony Chorus and the

Tiffin Boys' Choir. As Mahler declared, nature in its totality

rings and resounds. This is a feat of injury and spiny conductor, let

alone one in his 80s. I caught up with Bernard Haitink and asked if

there is a secret to unlocking this great Symphony. They should just

listen to it and be overwhelmed. I know it is quite complex. Six

movements, very long first movement. The second movement, third movement,

fourth, finally the chorus, with the boys. And then the wonderful six

movement. -- six movement. One should not waste words on it. It is

really beautiful and one should not talk about it. Simon Rattle once

said that when you came to Berlin and conducted the Phil Monica he

knew you had been because they sounded different, more expensive,

after you had been there. What is it you are trying to communicate to

your players? You do not say much in Russells. This is, for me, the best

way to conduct an orchestra. You have to start as yourself, to know

what you really want to do. It is not only knowing the score, but what

do you want to express? In such a way that you can motivate the

players. Yes, and that seems to work. Conductors do seem to have

this amazing work-out they get to do for their mind, body and spirit. It

is the career of choice for great longevity. It keeps me fit, in a

way. I have my low moments, sometimes. Personally. And then I

give myself a push and take a score and work on it for an hour or two.

Yes, I feel for the better. I love working with musicians, especially

British musicians. I am very fond of them. Very special to do this. Very

fond of them, and about to spend the next hour and a half in their

company. The players of the London Symphony Orchestra, already onstage.

Joined later by mezzo-soprano Sarah Connolly, and to my's leader there.

-- tonight's leader. Applause for tonight's conductor,

Bernard Haitink, 50 years after his Proms debut, here tonight to conduct

Mahler's Symphony No.3 in D minor. Bernard Haitink conducted Mahler's

Symphony No. 3 in D minor. 50 years on from his first

performance at the BBC Proms. The soloist, Sarah Connolly has

flown in specially from Germany. Her first ever performance with Haitink,

and she said she was thrilled to be here. We also heard the London

Symphony Orchestra on magnificent form, the women's voices of the

London Symphony Chorus and the Tiffin Boys' Choir. The orchestra

led tonight by Carmine Lauri. Fabulous playing from every section.

Principal trombone played wonderfully. The offstage flugelhorn

in the third movement, such beguiling music.

And here are the chorus masters - Simon Halsey

of the London Symphony Chorus, and James Day, who worked

Well, that's it for the moment, but there's lots more to come.

Stay tuned on BBC Four for tonight's Late Night Prom celebrating the life

Over on BBC Two tomorrow night, Katie Derham will be

And on Sunday back on BBC Four there's a performance

conducted by Sir John Eliot Gardiner.

But for now, from me, Suzy Klein, and all of us

here at the Royal Albert Hall, good night.