Bernard Haitink, R.I.P.

I listened to Chailly, on Qobuz in Mahler 5, and then played the SACD version of Haitink in the same work, and the Decca recording is definitely more etched, the Haitink kind of soft in comparison (btw, my first encounter with this work was Haitink leading the London Phil on tour, circa 1977).  Interesting that the 2 recording styles match the performing styles of the 2 conductors, as Chailly is harder edged and while BH is no Kubelik or Walter, he is miles away from Boulez, who seems to have influenced Chailly.  I hated hearing Boulez when he conducted Mahler here in Chicago but have come around to appreciating it, and will now investigate Chailly
  I agree about the Haitink Shostakovich 15th, which I had played recently.  Love the crazy toy shop on Acid ending to that work.
  Who was the soprano in the radio broadcast of the 4th?  Same as the recording?

Cut my teeth on the Solti cycle with Decca, recorded between 1964 and 1971.  I wonder how Decca of that vintage compares with Philips.

Agreed, the Shostakovich no.15 stands as one of Haitink's best performances as well as well as best orchestral recordings of all time.

Back to the Concertgebouw, I agree with the observation that the Ashkenazy recordings sound more spacious than most others made there at the time. Perhaps they did away with that midhall curtain. Another great example of the wide open hall sound is Rachmaninov's Symphonic Dances from the same period. But actually Decca gave Ashkenazy a somewhat similar sound for his Sibelius cycle with the Philharmonia Orchestra London, recorded in Kingsway Hall. And later also for his Shostakovich symphonies with the RPO, no.4 being a great example. So this wide hall perspective may well have been Ashkenazy's preference. Somewhat underrated as a conductor, these recordings are highly recommended!

As for recorded sound in the 60's and early 70's, there is simply no comparison between Decca and Philips. Snob appeal notwithstanding, there's a 'sound' reason audiophile record collectors are willing to pay a premium for Decca UK pressings.

His discography has virtually no Sibelius, Rachmaninov, or Prokofiev.  Did her perform these Composers?