Written over a some two decades, Beethoven's five piano concertos exemplify the constantly astonishing scope of his creativity. In András Schiff's words, 'Beethoven's music is cosmic and metaphysical. Each of the concertos has a unique character. Every note has to be played with responsibility and spiritual gravity.' Schiff and Haitink here perform with the Staatskapelle Dresden, an orchestra whose great tradition extends over more than four centuries.
Bernard Johan Herman Haitink (born 4 March 1929, Amsterdam) is a Dutch conductor. He studied the violin and conducting, with Felix Hupka, who conducted the school's orchestra, at the Conservatorium van Amsterdam. He then played the violin in orchestras before taking courses in conducting under Ferdinand Leitner in 1954 and 1955.