Bernard Haitink is one of the most sought-after Mahler conductors of our day. In this concert of Mahler’s „Third Symphony“, recorded live from the Concertgebouw in Amsterdam, he conducts the Royal Concertgebouw Orchestra. The „Third“ is the longest symphony of the Austrian composer, with six movements in two parts, for alto, women and boys’ choir. In this recording the celebrated English mezzo-soprano Carolyn Watkinson performs the solo part of the symphony. Bernard Haitink first conducted the Concertgebouw Orchestra in 1956. Beginning in 1963, Haitink was chief conductor for 25 years, during which time the orchestra developed significantly. Particularly Haitink’s interpretations of Mahler and Bruckner made a worldwide impression. The Concertgebouw Orchestra was founded in 1888. On the occasion of its 100th anniversary in 1988, the orchestra officially received the appellation ‘Royal’.