West Australian Symphony Orchestra has extended its partnership with Israeli conductor and pianist Asher Fisch until 2025. This will make Fisch the longest-serving Principal Conductor for WASO, overtaking the two previous 10-year roles of Ernest J Roberts, who started the position in 1937, and John Farnsworth Hall, who began in 1955. Fisch is also WASO’s Artistic Advisor.

Asher Fisch and WASO, 2022. Photo © Daniel James Grant.

“Asher’s dynamic musical leadership has inspired and challenged our musicians, and together they have unleashed the orchestra’s creative potential. The deep musical understanding between Asher and the orchestra has resulted in unforgettable concert experiences over the past nine years, and we are excited by the artistic discoveries this partnership will reveal in the future,” said WASO Chairman Richard Goyder.

The orchestra recently announced its 2023 season, its 10th program under Fisch, who is the only international artist to have completed his role as scheduled throughout the pandemic and Australian lockdowns.

Fisch debuted as a conductor with WASO in 1999 with a performance of Verdi’s Requiem; its 2019 performance of the same work was a way...