This memorable performance of Berlioz's masterpiece The Damnation of Faust was recorded in 1999, and is being released for the first time on CD to support the campaign against the Dutch government’s plans to abolish the Muziekcentrum van de Omroep (MCO) and its orchestras - which include the Netherlands Radio Philharmonic. The conductor is the legendary Bernard Haitink, who began his career with the orchestra, and the soloists include Vinson Cole and Thomas Quastoff.

The Netherlands Radio Philharmonic Orchestra gave its first concert on 7 October 1945. Initially it spent most of its time in studios working on a large number of recordings for the public broadcasting system. Illustrious soloists such as Kathleen Ferrier, Elisabeth Schwarzkopf, Clara Haskil and Jean-Pierre Rampal have shared the stage with the orchestra.

In 1956 Bernard Haitink became a guest conductor with the Concertgebouw Orchestra, and he was appointed the principal conductor of the Netherlands Radio Philharmonic Orchestra in the following year. Since then, during an illustrious career, he has been chief conductor with, amongst others, the Concertgebouw orchestra, the London Philharmonic and, more recently, the Chicago Symphony orchestra. He has also had a long standing relationship with the Royal Opera House, Covent Garden.

Hector Berlioz’s “dramatic legend” was first performed at the Opéra-Comique in Paris on 6th December 1846. It is based on a poem by Goethe, and features four solo voices, full seven-part chorus, large children's chorus and orchestra.