National Symphony Conductor Fischer returns to Kennedy Center podium

By many accounts, Ivan Fischer is the pride of Hungary and the joy of Washington. As the principal guest conductor of the National Symphony Orchestra, Fischer reigns on the Concert Hall podium whenever his busy schedule as music director of the Budapest Festival Orchestra and guest conductor worldwide permits. For the second time this season, he returns to lead the NSO in three more dynamic programs crafted to astound and delight both the musicians and the audiences. This week he has chosen works by two favorite composers, opening with Mozart’s Symphony No. 38 composed as a tribute to the people of Prague.

Fischer deliberately contrasts it in both style and content with Mahler’s dramatic “Das Lied von der Erde” (The Song of the Earth), which features tenor and mezzo-soprano soloists. The composer wrote it as a symphony for tenor, alto and string orchestra, incorporating the texts from Hans Bethge’s German adaptations of classic Chinese poems. He achieved the oriental flavor with the addition of the mandolin, celeste, tambourine, glockenspiel, tam-tam, two harps and multiple woodwind and brass instruments.

“The Mahler is a highly emotional, major work,” Fischer said. “His idea of using old Chinese poetry in a modern adaptation and alternating two singers in a song cycle is unique and lovely. The mandolin, for instance, is not ordinarily found in a symphony orchestra, so we will bring in a mandolin player, as well as additional musicians on oboe, bassoon, brass and percussion.

“We are also in for a treat next week when cellist Mischa Maisky performs Lensky’s aria from Tchaikovsky’s ‘Eugene Onegin.’ It’s frequently heard as a flute solo, but he played it during our tour to Japan and I like it much better on the cello because the sound of the instrument is closer to the human voice.”

Just as he thrills adult Washington audiences with repertoire by the world’s greatest composers, so has Fischer lured the younger generation to the NSO Children’s Concerts. At these favorite family outings, youngsters are enchanted by the lilting melodies and lively rhythms. Under his guidance, those as young as 5 quickly learn how to listen, to recognize the instruments and to understand when to show their appreciation by clapping.

“The pleasure is that the music is always a surprise to the children,” he said. “The musicians choose short numbers they know the children will like and I carry on a conversation with the audience about each piece. At first, people wondered if five-year-olds can sit quietly, but the choice of music captures their attention. At the Children’s Concerts, as well as at the AfterWords discussions, I like people to ask questions. It’s very exciting to hear their personal impressions of our beautiful programs.”

Fischer returns to the Kennedy Center Concert Hall the first week of June for a program of works by Stravinsky and Rimsky-Korsakov. In the interim, he flies back in March to joins the NSO musicians in West Virginia for their annual State Residency Program to encourage school music education.

“It’s a wonderful way to learn about a community and see a different side of the United States,” he said. “I went with them to Arkansas last season and enjoyed having sessions with youth orchestras. There are still communities today where classical music is never heard and the people see only a small segment of life. We love sharing our beautiful music with them.”