Iván Fischer will not conduct the Berlin Philharmonic at some performances due to a professional disagreement

The Berlin Philharmonic and conductor Iván Fischer have mutually agreed that Fischer will not conduct concerts scheduled for November 5 and 7 due to disagreements over the orchestral arrangement of Mahler's Symphony No. 5, specifically regarding the placement of double basses. Fischer, who is currently in Berlin, is celebrating his 70th birthday and has expressed his commitment to harmony despite the pandemic's impact. The orchestra's statement indicates that both parties regret the situation and respect each other's positions. Colombian conductor Andrés Orozco-Estrada will replace Fischer for the concerts. Fischer emphasized the importance of his preferred seating arrangement for achieving the best sound and unity in Mahler's music.