Swiss conductor Thierry Fischer is Principal Conductor of the BBC National Orchestra of Wales and also, from April 2008, Chief Conductor of the Nagoya Philharmonic. From 2001-2006 he was Principal Conductor and Artistic Advisor of the Ulster Orchestra.
Fischer studied flute with Aurèle Nicolet and began his musical career as Principal Flute in Hamburg and at the Zurich Opera, where he studied scores with Nikolaus Harnoncourt and was profoundly influenced by him. His conducting career began in his 30's 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, who encouraged and inspired him in his new-found talent for conducting. Spending his apprentice years in Holland, Thierry Fischer has since appeared with many leading orchestras in the UK and Europe.
Fischer took up his title with BBC National Orchestra of Wales in 2006, and his inaugural concert featured Florent Schmitt's Psalm 47, subsequently recorded for Hyperion as the first in a series of French discs, and Messiaen's Turangalila, which was recorded live for the cover disc of the BBC Music Magazine . In January of this first season he and the orchestra toured the USA together, to excellent reviews:
"The interpretation [of Brahms Symphony No. 2] by conductor Thierry Fischer, who did not use a musical score, was energetic and beautiful. It was a treat to watch Mr. Fischer as he cajoled, challenged and encouraged his players. The final notes brought the audience to its feet."
Plans together stretch well into the future and include further tours, recordings for Hyperion, annual appearances at the BBC Proms in London, and festivals of the music of Messiaen and Dutilleux.
Fischer's Chief Conductor position with the Nagoya Philharmonic begins in April 2008 for an initial 2 years, running concurrently with his title in Wales. His duties in Japan will include all artistic programming. He will conduct the orchestra for a minimum of 6 weeks a year.
During his tenure in Belfast with the Ulster Orchestra, Fischer toured with the orchestra to Prague and New York and appeared several times at the BBC Proms, conducted cycles of Schubert, Mendelssohn, Beethoven, Brahms, Schumann and Honegger, and began his relationship with Hyperion with a series of recordings of the works of Jean Françaix. His wider discography also includes recordings for, among others, ASV, Chandos, and a Frank Martin disc on Deutsche Grammophon with the Chamber Orchestra of Europe which was nominated for a Gramophone Award.
Fischer's hallmarks are a lightness of touch and transparency of texture, allowing room for vivid characterisation. He has a keen stylistic sense and brings a fresh approach to repertoire which extends from Bach, the classical repertoire and early Romantics; the Second Viennese school, the great French composers of the early 20th century, a keen advocacy of his compatriots Frank Martin and Honegger, and a particular feel for the music of Prokofiev, Stravinsky and Shostakovich. His affinity also with the unique textures and radical utopianism of Messiaen is no accident, and he will play a major role in the BBC's Messiaen celebrations in 2008. Fischer regularly programmes contemporary composers, and made his debut with the London Sinfonietta in 2006 (returning in 2007).
Fischer's popularity in the UK has brought him to the Philharmonia, City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra, Halle and BBC Symphony. In recent seasons he has also conducted the radio orchestras of Paris (Orchestre Philharmonique de Radio France), Stockholm, Hanover, Lugano and Saarbruecken; the Berlin Symphony, Netherlands Philharmonic, Colorado Symphony, Monte Carlo Philharmonic, Orchestre National de Lyon and Gothenburg Symphony. In 2007/8 debut appearances include the Utah Symphony, SWR Freiburg and Malaysian Philharmonic.
In parallel to his symphonic career, Fischer's collaborative approach has fostered strong relationships with several prestigious chamber orchestras, notably the Scottish Chamber, Northern Sinfonia, Dutch Radio Chamber, and Ensemble Orchestral de Paris. He has also conducted the Australian Chamber, Lausanne, Zurich, Munich and Swedish chamber orchestras.
Thierry Fischer is represented by Intermusica.
June 2007/ 654 words. Not to be altered without permission. Please destroy all previous biographical material.