I enjoyed this Brahms cycle. Fortunately, Asher Fish is not a member of the “Brahms Lite” Chapter or a Chailly/Gardiner – style speed merchant. What’s more, unlike the hapless, battle-jacketed George W Bush standing on the deck of that aircraft carrier, under a sign proclaiming “Mission Accomplished”, Asher Fisch really has accomplished his “mission” to transform the West Australian Symphony Orchestra from merely good into a potentially great instrument, on the strength of theses performances at least. It plays with confidence, sheen and finesse. The buoyant galumphing rhythm of the opening movement of the First Symphony is just right (no repeat observed – presumably because of the plan to fit this and the Second Symphony on a single CD) without diminishing the inherent drama. The second and third movements are really like lightly scored serenade movements buffering two huge epic book-ends, but it’s here the quality of the woodwind phrasing (and the depth of the orchestra’s talent) becomes apparent. This is warmly shaped, with oboe and clarinet solos notable but also a lovely extended reverie by concertmaster Jackson duetting with horns. The Finale, with its deliberately tentative opening, is always problematic but Fisch guides his players through treacherous shoals… Continue reading Get unlimited…

Pin back your ears as six tale-tellers from Australian orchestras share some rippers from the dim and distant past.

Stephen Layton's dramatic conviction makes a powerful testimony of Handel’s musical centrepiece.

★★★★☆ Sublime performances from WASO’s Wagnerian dream team. Continue reading Get unlimited digital access from $4 per month Subscribe Already a subscriber? Log in

WASO Chief Conductor Asher Fisch traces the symphonies’ sometimes convoluted development from first to last. Continue reading Get unlimited digital access from $4 per month Subscribe Already a subscriber? Log in

The Perth-based orchestra is packing Wagner, Mahler and Sculthorpe for its first international tour in ten years. Continue reading Get unlimited digital access from $4 per month Subscribe Already a subscriber? Log in

Trifonov and Grimaud are among the debuts, old friends make welcome returns, and Limelight can reveal the Tristan cast. Continue reading Get unlimited digital access from $4 per month Subscribe Already a subscriber? Log in

★★★★☆ Energised readings see the romantic rub shoulders with the radical. Continue reading Get unlimited digital access from $4 per month Subscribe Already a subscriber? Log in

WASO’s Principal Cellist shares his experience of recording Williams’ iconic films scores with the composer. Continue reading Get unlimited digital access from $4 per month Subscribe Already a subscriber? Log in

★★★★☆ New WASO concertmaster’s solo debut with the orchestra is a thing of beauty. Continue reading Get unlimited digital access from $4 per month Subscribe Already a subscriber? Log in

Fisch's first Mahler Two is more than worth the wait.

Asher Fisch returns for 2016 with a knockout Teutonic Trio. Continue reading Get unlimited digital access from $4 per month Subscribe Already a subscriber? Log in