The distinctive sound of the Royal Concertgebouw Orchestra has been intimately connected to the famous acoustics of the Concertgebouw’s Main Hall since its founding in 1888. Since its founding, the orchestra has had seven chief conductors. After World War II, Eduard van Beinum brought the symphonies of Bruckner and French music to the audiences. Bernard Haitink refined the orchestral sound from the 1960s to 1988, broadened its repertoire, and made a great impression with the Christmas Matinees broadcast on TV in numerous European countries. Riccardo Chailly gave an important impetus to the interpretation of contemporary music and opera between 1988 and 2004. Under Mariss Jansons, from 2004 to 2015, much attention was given to composers like Shostakovich and Messiaen. Daniele Gatti created space for French repertoire and the Second Viennese School. On 10 June 2022, it was announced that Klaus Mäkelä will become the orchestra’s eighth chief conductor in 2027, with a focus on Mahler, Stravinsky, French music, and new compositions.