Willem Mengelberg is undeniably the greatest conductor in Dutch music history. In his biography, Frits Zwart carefully examines a musical life lived. Mengelberg was not only one of the world’s greatest, he had an excellent reputation as a trainer of orchestral ensembles, responsible for the international reputation of his own Concertgebouw as well as many others including the New York Philharmonic.

A champion of numerous composers, including Mahler and Strauss, Mengelberg was the founder of...

‘Millions of fans around the world. 130 shows per year. Gigs for 30,000 people. Line-ups with the greatest. This is my golden age!’ – Brennan Heart

‘At home in the afternoon, performing at night in Antwerp, leaving in the morning for a show in Mexico. Mainstage in Chicago, Sydney and Shanghai. Flying in jets and helicopters. “I missed you daddy”, my children say. And my feet are back on the ground...’

HARD is the personal story of Brennan Heart: one of the most successful Dutch ...