In recent seasons he has conducted orchestras across the globe, notably the Cleveland Orchestra – where he returns this autumn – also the Boston, Atlanta and Cincinnati Symphonies, London Philharmonic, Royal Philharmonic, Oslo Philharmonic, Rotterdam Philharmonic, Maggio Musicale Firenze among others. He has performed and commissioned many world premieres, and works with the London Sinfonietta, Ensemble Intercontemporain but also other leading chamber orchestras such as the Chamber Orchestra of Europe, Orchestra of the Age of Enlightenment and Swedish Chamber.
Highlights of his 2022 São Paulo season include a Strauss series and the start of a Sibelius cycle, as well as works by Frank Martin and Heinz Holliger. In his first season with Orquesta Sinfónica de Castilla y León Fischer conducts repertoire ranging from Haydn to Bruckner, Mahler, Brahms, Stravinsky and Florence Price, and a special project with Brass for Africa.
Fischer closes his tenure in Utah with Mahler’s all-embracing 3rd Symphony, featuring the ladies of the Tabernacle Choir. This follows on their recording together of Mahler’s 8th symphony (released in 2017 on Reference Records, after Mahler 1 in 2015 and a disc of newly commissioned works by American composers in 2015). In this farewell season he has also chosen to celebrate Messiaen’s music with a performance of Turangalîla and the release on Hyperion in 2023 of his Des Canyons aux Étoiles (directly inspired by the awe-inspiring landscape of Utah State). After a transformative 14 years in Utah, including the orchestra’s first visit to Carnegie Hall for the first time in 40 years, a Saint-Saëns cycle on Hyperion and many other highlights, Fischer becomes Music Director Emeritus in summer 2023.
Whilst Principal Conductor of the BBC National Orchestra of Wales 2006-2012, Fischer appeared every year at the BBC Proms, toured internationally, and recorded for Hyperion, Signum and Orfeo. In 2012 he won the ICMA Award for his Hyperion recording of Frank Martin’s Der Sturm with the Netherlands Radio Philharmonic Orchestra and Chorus. His discography also includes a Beethoven disc with the London Philharmonic on the Aparté label.
Fischer started out as Principal Flute in Hamburg and at the Zurich Opera. His conducting career began in his 30s when he replaced an ailing colleague, subsequently directing his first few concerts with the Chamber Orchestra of Europe where he was Principal Flute under Claudio Abbado. He spent his apprentice years in Holland and became Principal Conductor and Artistic Advisor of the Ulster Orchestra 2001-2006. He was Principal Guest of the Seoul Philharmonic 2017-2020 and Chief Conductor (now Honorary Guest) of the Nagoya Philharmonic 2008-2011.
Thierry Fischer is represented by Intermusica.
2022/23 season - 462 words. Not to be altered without permission.