A recording of Ludwig van Beethoven’s “Ninth” is always a great event, especially because the Symphony’s final chorus, Schiller’s “Ode to Joy”, is understood around the world as a plea for peace and international understanding. It was no coincidence that the catchy melody to the text “Joy, beautiful spark of divinity” was chosen as the Hymn of the European Union. This recording of Beethoven’s great “Choral” Symphony under the direction of Bernard Haitink and with excellent instrumental and vocal soloists is not only an outstanding interpretation of the work but also very much an event in itself – because these recordings document Haitink’s last ever concerts with the Symphonieorchester des Bayerischen Rundfunks. Only a few months after his two Munich concerts on 21 and 22 February 2019, the great Dutch conductor – who celebrated his 90th birthday on 4 March – announced the end of his career. In an interview with the Dutch newspaper “De Volkskrant” on 12 June this year, Bernard Haitink announced his imminent departure from the conductor’s podium. On 15 June he conducted for the last time at the Amsterdam Concertgebouw, and his very last concert of all took place in Lucerne on 6 September. “I’m ninety years old,” explained the maestro, “and it’s a fact that I’m not going to conduct any longer. And once I’ve stopped, I don’t think I’ll be able to conduct again.” Haitink’s decision marks the end of a conducting career spanning 65 years. He has been a regular and highly welcome guest of the Symphonieorchester des Bayerischen Rundfunks, and numerous CDs on the BR-Klassik label document the exceptional quality of this creative collaboration.