On the Berlin Philharmonic website, there’s a kind of frequently-asked-questions section. One section addresses “who decides where the sections of the orchestra sit?” “The answer is simple,” it reads, “the conductors. It’s their responsibility to ensure the best possible presentation of the music.” But theory and practice are not always the same thing. On Thursday, the orchestra announced that its concerts from November 5 to November 7 under conductor Iván Fischer would not take place as planned because Fischer and the orchestra were unable to agree on the seating plan for Mahler’s Fifth Symphony. They decided not to perform together “by mutual agreement,” according to the press release. It went on to say that both sides regretted the result but respected one another’s positions. Fischer will be replaced by Andrés Orozco-Estrada. In an interview with VAN, Fischer explained what seating arrangement was up for debate, why he believes in it so strongly, and whether he has a future leading the Berlin Philharmonic.
