SALT LAKE CITY — Utah gets to keep Thierry Fischer for a little bit longer.
The Utah Symphony music director has extended his contract through August 2023, the symphony announced Monday. The Swiss conductor had originally planned to step down at the end of the 2021-22 season, the Deseret News previously reported.
“With so much uncertainty in the future, it is a natural gesture for me to help provide the orchestra and its board with much needed stability,” Fischer said in a statement. “It made perfect sense to extend my contract by another season ... to assist the organization through these challenging times and give them the time necessary to run the search for my successor. I will always be here for our Utah Symphony in good and in unprecedented times, and look forward to embracing the challenges of the future as we create music for our community together.”
BREAKING: Thierry Fischer has extended his contract as @UtahSymphony music director. The Swiss conductor will now be with the symphony through August 2023.
— Lottie Johnson (@Lotlotej) October 12, 2020
The symphony’s home at Abravanel Hall shut down in mid-March, at the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic. After six months of silence — and with a major overhaul of its 2020-21 season — the symphony returned in September. With a number of safety precautions in place, the organization is gradually rebuilding its season and continuing to announce new concerts as they fall into place.
The pandemic has also prolonged the search for a new music director. Earlier this year, Fischer was named music director of the São Paulo Symphony Orchestra, and the conductor will now be splitting his time between Brazil and Utah until his contract in Utah concludes in 2023.
Steven Brosvik, Utah Symphony and Utah Opera’s recently appointed president and CEO, expressed gratitude to Fischer for extending his contract and said there is “great music yet ahead for all of us.”
Thierry Fischer, music director of the Utah Symphony Orchestra, conducts a practice at Abravanel Hall in Salt Lake City on Wednesday, Nov. 20, 2013. Fischer’s contract with the symphony has now been extended to August 2023.
Laura Seitz, Deseret News
“Thierry Fischer’s guidance will be invaluable as we emerge from this pandemic and find innovative ways to continue to serve our community through music,” added Tom Love, USUO board chair. “We have put plans into motion to fully participate in the economic recovery and emotional healing that our community desperately needs at this time, and having Thierry’s continued leadership is critical to our success.”
Fischer debuted as a guest conductor with the Utah Symphony in October 2007, leading the orchestra in a performance of Hector Berlioz’s “Symphonie fantastique,” the Deseret News previously reported. In 2009, he became the seventh music director in the Utah Symphony’s then-70-year history, following Keith Lockhart. His original contract was for just four years.
Over the past decade, the conductor has orchestrated a vibrant era for the symphony. He’s developed creative programming, commissioning new pieces and championing lesser-known works. Last year, he led the musicians in a performance of a new piece celebrating the transcontinental railroad’s 150th anniversary, and joined the symphony’s education efforts by conducting 250 high school students across the state in a performance of Igor Stravinksy’s “Firebird.”
20190314 Thierry Fischer, music director of the Utah Symphony Orchestra, directs the Cottonwood High School orchestra in Murray on Thursday, March 14, 2019. Fischer’s contract with the Utah Symphony has now been extended to August 2023.
Laura Seitz, Deseret News
Under Fischer, the symphony has done two statewide-tours that brought classical music to rural communities and major Utah landmarks, including the state’s five national parks. Fischer has been actively involved in the musicians’ ongoing service project to bring music education to young musicians in Haiti, and celebrated the symphony’s 75-year milestone with an anniversary concert at Carnegie Hall in April 2016.
When he steps down in 2023, Fischer will have led the Utah Symphony for 14 years. He will assume the title of Music Director Emeritus in September 2023 and continue his musical relationship with the orchestra, according to a news release.