Iván Fischer withdraws from Berlin Philharmonic concerts over seating disagreement

Andrés Orozco-Estrada will replace him on November 5–7, with the programme unchanged.

Iván Fischer will not conduct his scheduled concerts with the Berlin Philharmonic on November 5–7 after the conductor and orchestra failed to agree on the seating arrangement for Mahler’s Fifth Symphony.

In an announcement published on October 29, the orchestra said the decision had been reached by mutual agreement. Neither the arrangement Fischer proposed nor the specific point of contention was disclosed.

“Both sides regret this and respect each other’s position,” the statement said.

Orozco-Estrada steps in

Andrés Orozco-Estrada will conduct the three concerts at Berlin’s Philharmonie with the programme unchanged: Haydn’s Sinfonia concertante in B-flat major, Hob. I:105, followed by Mahler’s Fifth Symphony.

The Haydn soloists are four members of the orchestra: violinist Noah Bendix-Balgley, cellist Bruno Delepelaire, oboist Jonathan Kelly and bassoonist Stefan Schweigert.

The performances will mark Orozco-Estrada’s second appearance with the Berlin Philharmonic, following his debut in 2017.

Source: Berlin Philharmonic announcement.