Mats Norrman wrote:

>Do you consider Haitink a good Mahler conductor?  To me his philosophy in
>much seems to be to let the music speak for itself.

Although the question was for Tony, I'd like to add my view.  I think of
Haitink as an excellent mainstream conductor.  Any criticisms I've heard
revolve around the premise that Haitink is not sufficiently dramatic and
emotionally charged.  It depends what you're looking for.

I love his Mahler 4th's and think highly of his other Mahler recordings.
In his Shostakovich, I generally would have preferred more drama and
excitement.  I like his Beethoven very much.

Don Satz
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