Thierry Fischer and the BBC National Orchestra of Wales
The Guardian
**** St David's Hall, Cardiff
Rian Evans
11 October, 2006
Florent Schmitt Psaume XLVII
Messiaen Turangalîa
This first appearance of Thierry Fischer as principal conductor of the BBC National Orchestra of Wales came with a fanfare of brass, courtesy of Florent Schmitt and his Psaume XLVII. Schmitt, a rival of Debussy, was setting the psalmist's praise to "the great King ... Lord amid the sounding of trumpets" rather literally but, given that part of Swiss-born Fischer's mission is to introduce unfamiliar French music to the BBCNOW repertoire, it was not simply an ego trip.
It was nevertheless an indulgently rich paean: the BBC National Chorus of Wales sang with a forthright, full-bodied sound against organ and orchestra, while Christine Buffle's exultant soprano soared above.
More importantly, the Schmitt offered an unusual coupling for the main work of the evening: Messiaen's Turangalîla symphony, a joyous hymn to love and part of his Tristan triptych. Although this 10-movement symphony is ostensibly the least religious of Messiaen's works, its contemplative movements aspire to a state of transcendental, cosmic harmony, embracing universal truths - and this was vividly realised here.
Fischer's conducting managed to be both incisive and expansive; he controlled the virtuosic element of the writing with a firm hand but allowed the highly sensuous and exotic eastern element of Messiaen's soundworld to envelop the hall. The fifth movement, Joie du Sang des Etoiles, was all energy and vibrant passion, but the work's overall structure was astutely judged, always progressing to its glorious climax. Fischer voiced the different facets of Messiaen's colouristic effects with care, with the often painfully obtrusive ondes martinot (played by Jacques Tchamkerten) more subtly incorporated, complementing rather than fighting the glittering piano of Roger Muraro. It was heady stuff.
The Guardian
**** St David's Hall, Cardiff
Rian Evans
Wednesday 12 October, 2005
There are too few occasions when proper homage is paid to Joseph Haydn, but this performance of the Creation - arguably his greatest masterpiece - felt just that. In a work in which Haydn's representation of the radiant outburst of light on earth is such a symbolic moment, it was auspicious that Thierry Fischer, principal conductor designate of the BBC Orchestra of Wales, was intent on illuminating the score's highly imaginative and original aspects.
Haydn's own sense of paying homage to Handel - to whom the oratorio's libretto is thought to have originally been offered - is evident in the choruses, sung with fervour by the BBC National Chorus of Wales. What emerged most strongly, though, was the rich fabric of the orchestral writing, demonstrating a composer conscious of being at the height of his powers and free to take risks, while unselfconsciously glorifying the god he believed to be the source of his own musical gifts.
The lyrical woodwind that so artfully dovetail with the narrative sung by the three archangels, Gabriel, Uriel and Raphael, sounded fresh and dulcet, while other instrumental textures, including the three trombones and timpani, often sounded startlingly bold. Fischer also pointed up the descriptive detail of the accompanied recitatives, heightening the drama of the soloists' words.
Soprano Nancy Argenta's Gabriel was clear and fluent, if lacking warm bloom, while bass Peter Harvey's Raphael was unfailingly sensitive, and their duetting as Adam and Eve in the Garden of Eden was nicely judged. But, of the three, it was tenor James Gilchrist's Uriel who invested most in both his recitatives and arias. With impeccable enunciation and beautifully coloured sound, he animated the whole picture - the flexible tiger and sinuous worm included - underlining time and again Haydn's genius.
Western Mail
Monday 10 October, 2005
Fischer's Creation of excellence
Although he does not take up his prestigious position until next year, BBC NOW's principal conductor designate Thierry Fischer clearly demonstrated he is already comfortable with his new team.
If the excellence of the performance and the warmth and enthusiasm of the audience at this uplifting performance of Haydn's The Creation is anything to go by, we are in for an orchestral feast.
Combined with the National Chorus of Wales this was an inspired and inspiring evening from the orchestra under Fischer's elegant baton of this sweeping and thrilling work.
From the opening words "in the beginning" Haydn's masterpiece majestically takes us on the journey of the creation, according to Genesis and Paradise Lost. This really is a musical paradise and what more symbolic way could there be to introduce a new principal conductor to a music-loving nation?
As the creation of man approaches, the orchestra gives us a new world out of chaos where the orchestra, whether it be the lightness of violins, sweetness of flutes or power of the contrabassoon, brings to life the diversity of nature from eagles and whales to lions and tigers.
Tenor James Gilchrist, soprano Nancy Argenta and bass Peter Harvey delivered a clean and crisp vocal style as the three angels Uriel, Gabriel and Raphael; allowing us to indulge in the poetry and musicality of the language itself. Our bass and soprano later sing Adam and Eve as they explore the Garden of Eden before the chorus bring the evening to a surging, triumphant end.
Fischer shows a confidence with this exuberant work, maintaining consistency and balance in the orchestra, travelling through the hugely contrasting atmospheres in the work from chilling thunders to beautiful love duets and music that is enough to make you jump with joy - even on a gloomy October evening.
Importantly, the orchestra never swamped the vocalists, enabling the narrative to be told with a gripping vitality for a 200-year-old oratorio.
After the concert, broadcast live on Radio 3, Fischer took part in a live and frank discussion with the Radio 3 presenter Sarah Walker which included audience questions and emails and was webcast on the BBC website.
Fond of using sports team analogies the audience showed they will be watching and listening with keen interest how the new "coach" develops his Welsh side from his official start in September 2006.