The News Letter of Adam Fischer & Haydn Orchestra Fan Club
'Barátom' means 'My Friend' in Hungarian
May 1, 1997 - No. 15
Haydn Orchestra 10 years anniversary
The Haydn Orchestra, founded in 1987 will celebrate 10 years anniversary this May. This issue of Barátom reports the history and episodes of these 10 years.
1987- The first concert of the Haydn Orchestra
The memorable first concert was held on May 28 in 1987 at the Haydnsaal in Eisenstadt. The program was Haydn's Symphony No. 101 The Clock, Trumpet Concerto, and Symphony No. 103 Drumroll. At that time, it was a very small music festival that only the Haydn Orchestra played. Not only the Haydnsaal but Eszterháza at Fertöd was also a main concert hall. During the 7 performances from May 28 to May 31, the Sinfonia Concertante, and the Madrigal The Storm were also played as well as the pieces above. Also, the famous soprano, Hildegard Behrens sang the aria of Gabriel from Die Schöpfung. There was the first recording of The Clock and Drumroll.
Fischer "The performances at Eszterháza was outdoor concerts.
However, there was a real storm on May 30 and we had to move to indoors. Since the room
was too small for the chorus, we could not play the Madrigal The Storm. So, we announced,
'If storm, no Storm'."
1988 - Two festivals in Spring and Autumn.
There were two music festival in June and September. The Haydn Orchestra performed 5 concerts for each of them. In Spring, They played symphony No. 96 The Miracle, No. 102 and some others. Just after festival, they recorded these two symphonies. Also, on June 23, they made the first foreign concert at Saint-Rémy, France, playing these symphonies and La Fedeltá premiata Overture.
Fischer "There was a big misunderstanding on June 19. The Soprano Anna Gonda shown up just few hours before the performance with the first Aria of Celia from "La Fedeltá premiata" but orchestra thought it was second area. Since there was not music for the orchestra, we had to copy the conductor's score and made the orchestra parts very quickly."
In September, the Haydn Orchestra had played symphony No. 94 and No. 45 both at Eisenstadt and Fertöd. They also played the Sinfonia Concertante twice at the Haydnsaal.
Fischer "Just before the last concert, the solo cellist for the
Sinfonia Concertante, Wolfgang Herzer canceled. So, our principal cello player, Reszö
Pertorini took up solo. We had only 20 minutes rehearsal, but he played wonderfully."
1989 - The first International Haydntage
There was the Haydn Birthday Concert on April 1 at Fertöd. The orchestra played the symphony No. 24Philosopher, No. 24 and Salve Regina. On April 18, they played a similar program at the Budapest Liszt Music Academy.
At the Haydn Festival in Spring, they had four concerts from June 16 to 18 both at Eszterháza and in the Haydnsaal. The program was Symphony No. 25, No. 93, No. 95, No. 97, No. 98, flute concerto and cello concerto. Also, Adam played the piano as piano trio on June 15.
In September, there was the first International Haydntage and they did four
performances. Ildíko Komlósi sang Szene mit Arie accompanied by Adam Fischer's
Piano.
1990 - First true foreign tour
In 1990, there was the first long concert tour and they played at several cities in France. The conductor was not Adam Fischer but Manfred Honeck, former viola player of Vienna Philharmonic. As well as the year before, they played at Fertöd on April 1 as the Haydn birthday concert. After that, they made the recording of early symphonies. As usual, at the International Haydntage in September, they had two concerts at Haydnsaal. Tenor Helmut Wildhaber appeared at Eisenstadt first time.
1991 - Le Mans Debut, Many recordings
In 1991, the orchestra played at Le Mans, France for the first time. Also, they had recordings in May and September and completed symphonies No. 1-20 and some of Paris Symphonies. They had two concerts in September. As well as Haydn, they played Mozart since it was 200 year after Mozart death.
1992 - Oratorio Die Schöpfung
The highlight of 1992 was the oratorio Die Schöpfung. Before the concert, there were 3 performances of "Die Schöpfung for children" produced by Christian Boesch. It was taped and broadcast in Austria. Also, the famous soprano Agnes Baltsa had appeared in Eisenstadt accompanied by the Haydn Orchestra.
1993 - Proms in London, Far East Tour
In 1993 the Haydn Orchestra
appeared in London for first time and performed at the famous BBC Proms in the Royal
Albert Hall. It was a big success. At the Haydntage, they played "Haydn for
Children" with Adam Fischer's idea and delighted many young people.
In October they made their first
far east tour including Japan and Taiwan. As well as the large cities like Tokyo and
Osaka, they played the major part in the Haydn Festival held at Shido and it was broadcast
all over Japan by Japanese public television NHK.
1994 - Seasons at Le Mans and New York debut
In May the orchestra played the oratorio The Seasons at the Festival de l'Epau, Le Mans France. Also in August, they made their USA debut at Avery Fisher Hall in New York as part of the Mostly Mozart Festival. They played with famous pianist Martha Argerich.
1995 - Turkey and the Netherlands Tour
'95 started the France Tour in February. That time Adam was busy for Zurich and the former Vienna Philharmonic leader Erich Binder conducted. Same as the year before, they appeared at Le Mans in May and played Brahms's German Requiem. In July they visited Istanbul and played "Die Schöpfung" and other symphonies followed by a concert in Amsterdam.
1996 - Mahler at London Royal Festival Hall
In February 1996, they appeared at Nantes France to play at the Beethoven Festival. Then in March, they visited London and performed Mahler's symphony No. 4 at Royal Festival Hall. As the permanent guest orchestra, they played Die Schöpfung at Le Mans in May. At the International Haydntage, they performed three concerts including The Last Seven Word and the Sinfonia Concertante with soloists from the Vienna Philharmonic.
1997 - The beginning of the new decade
This year Adam Fischer and Haydn Orchestra will appear Grafennegg in Austria. After that, they will visit the Concertgebou in Amsterdam. In September, they will perform Haydn's Opera Il Mondo della Luna and tow other concerts in Eisenstadt.
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German, Hungarian Mini Lesson
Following last issue, these are the useful expressions at the hotel.How much does it cost per night?
 | Was costet es pro Nacht? (G) |
| Mennyibe kerül egy éjszakára? (H) |
Does it include breakfast?
| Ist das Frühstück einbegriffen? (G) |
| Ez magában foglalja a reggelit? (H) |
IDo you have a more quiet room.
| Haben Sie ein stilleres Zimmer? (G) |
| Van csendesebb szobajuk is? (H) |
That's fine. I will take it.
| Das ist gut. Das nehme ich. (G) |
| Ez megfelel, kiveszem. (H) |
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Editorial Note
As the 10 years anniversary issue, this Barátom reported the brief history of Austro-Hungarian Haydn Orchestra. Thanks to the fan club member Ms. Agnes Winner and Mr. Robert Avery, as well as Mr. Fischer and MMM Agency for all information.Next issue we will report the Metropolitan Opera production "Aida" and the fan club mini-meeting held at New York.
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