After a more than 60-year career year as a conductor, Edo de Waart announced today his retirement. Since his debut in 1964, Edo has conducted all the major orchestras of the world. He was chief conductor of the Radio Philharmonic Orchestra (RFO) from 1989 to 2004.

On December 5, 2004, Edo de Waart officially retired as chief conductor of the RFO, and was subsequently named "honorary conductor. In his acceptance speech, he said, "I have had the best time of my life here, this is an orchestra where people treat each other sweetly, without chininess. From 1988 Edo was involved as artistic director of the new Netherlands Broadcasting Music Center; a year later he became chief conductor of the RFO. De Waart put the RFO on the map at home and abroad. Highlights of his chief conductorship included the impressive cycle of Wagner's complete Ring and award-winning recordings of all Mahler and Rachmaninov symphonies, as well as numerous successful productions for DNO.

All (former) musicians and staff of the RFO wish him well.