Thierry Fischer, Utah Symphony
Reference Recordings
Release date: September 2015

“This is an excellent Mahler First, much more leisurely than Abravanel recording of decades ago. The orchestra is excellent, with outstanding brass.” – Classical CD Review

“Highly Recommended” – ConcertoNet.com

“Mahler’s youthful yet portentous-laden Symphony No. 1 … can be listened to on this new recording with a sure sense of repeated insights.” – 15 Bytes

“…a very competitive issue done by superb partners on each side of the microphone, and is easily recommended.” – Audiophile Audition

“On the basis of this recording there is little doubt that Thierry Fischer is a Mahler interpreter of some stature.” – HRAudio.net

“Thierry Fischer’s approach is refreshingly big-hearted and low on angst; the first movement’s brassy coda suitably cheery … Fischer does let rip in the extended finale – the opening outburst full of fury, softening nicely before the Tchaikovskian big tune appears. It sounds delectable … There’s no mid-movement sag, and the closing minutes are great … Highly recommended in other words; the booklet tells us that Fischer performed the whole cycle with the Utah players, so one hopes that more were taped. Perfect for Mahler sceptics.” – Arts Desk

“the orchestra can be proud of this performance, with its brisk tempos and transparency in recorded sound.  Winds are particularly expressive in the opening movement … Fischer’s scherzo sounds positively rustic … Brass snarls, percussion pounds and Mahler’s whiplash rhythms feel relentless … suitable to proudly carry the Mahler tradition forward in Utah.” – Washington Post

“Fischer leads a singularly appealing performance of this perennially fresh and engaging music. The first movement builds inexorably, the tempo accelerating steadily through the exciting final pages exactly as Mahler requests. Fischer’s control of the music’s many sudden changes in speed is very impressive, both in the climactic moments of the scherzo and throughout this singularly cogent account of the finale… this recording is a real contender. Very enjoyable indeed.” – Classics Today.com

“A fine execution of a very popular symphony. Fans of the work can purchase with confidence, especially if you want to hear inner details and a more reflective version than many. Fischer and his Salt Lake City gang are not going to erase memories of Berlin, Vienna or the Concertgebouw, but I dare say that those incredible orchestras never had a recording as fine as this.” – Audiophilia.com