In a series of four Decca Icons podcasts, Gramophone's James Jolly explores the artistry of four major recording musicians with Rob Cowan, Jed Distler and Richard Fairman. Focusing on recordings in the Decca catalogue, the series turns the spotlight on Bernard Haitink, Vladimir Ashkenazy, Sir Georg Solti and Benjamin Britten. Each podcast is accompanied by a special Apple Music playlist. 

In this first podcast, Rob and James talk about the great Dutch conductor who, during a long career, headed up ensembles and opera houses in Amsterdam, London, Glyndebourne, Dresden and Chicago, as well as being a much sought-after guest, and left a vast recorded catalogue.

You can listen to the Podcast above. To hear other Gramophone podcasts, or to subscribe for free to new editions, search for 'Gramophone' in your Podcast App of choice, or visit Gramophone's page on Apple Music podcasts.

You can also listen to a special 'Decca Icons: Bernard Haitink' playlist on Apple Music below.