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Utah Symphony music director Thierry Fischer has won the 2012 International Classical Music Award in the opera category for his Hyperion Record recording of Frank Martin's "Der Sturm" with the Netherlands Radio Philharmonic Orchestra and Netherlands Radio Choir. Soloists included bass-baritone Robert Holl and soprano Christine Buffle. The award will be presented in Nantes, France, on May 15.
For Utah audiences, the award sparks questions about whether Fischer intends to conduct opera, and make recordings, with Utah Symphony | Utah Opera. Fischer said he is hopeful about the prospects of conducting Utah Opera. "We have to find the right project," he said. "We are talking about it, but we have nothing concrete."
The answer to whether he plans to make recordings with the Utah Symphony is more emphatic: "Absolutely! It is one of the top priorities."
Fischer is following a carefully laid plan to immerse the Utah Symphony in his musical aesthetic and elevate the quality of the group to its fullest potential. If details can be worked out, he hopes to begin recording with the orchestra during the 2012-13 season. Repertoire choices are still under consideration.
The International Classical Music Awards were first awarded last year, replacing the Cannes Classical Awards. As in the past, the jury is made up of music critics of numerous publications and radio stations, mainly in Europe.
Fischer has an ongoing relationship with the Amsterdam-based orchestra, having conducted the group for several weeks each year for the past 15 years. Fisher is happy for the orchestra and pleased for the recognition the award brings to Martin, a Swiss composer who spent most of his life in the Netherlands. Martin died in 1974.
His wife "was over the moon, crying on the phone," said Fischer of her reaction to the announcement. "I'm a strong advocate of Martin's music, and really happy to make his fantastic music."
Celia R. Baker