Iván Fischer too receive Prestigious Concertgebouw prize in 2026
Amsterdam, Netherlands – Hungarian conductor and composer Iván Fischer will be awarded the Concertgebouw Prize in 2026, the Amsterdam concert hall announced today. The prize recognizes Fischer’s exceptional and sustained contribution to the artistic identity of the Concertgebouw, where he has performed over 150 times since 1987 and is scheduled for eight more concerts this season.
Fischer, 74, is celebrated for his innovative approach to classical music, frequently challenging conventional concert formats.he has invited audiences to sit within the orchestra, staged theatrical performances, and created accessible programs like ‘chocolate concerts’ for children and Midnight Music for young adults. “Iván Fischer is a born artist. Averse to routine. Everything he touches changes into somthing new, as if it sounds for the first time. And always with a nice sense of humor. A concert with Iván is more than a concert, it is a total experience,” said Simon Reinink, Director of Het Concertgebouw.
A versatile musician,fischer studied piano,violin,cello,and composition in Budapest,and orchestral conducting in vienna. He founded both the Budapest Festival Orchestra in 1983 and the Iván Fischer Opera company, alongside numerous festivals. His repertoire focuses on composers including Bach, Mozart, Brahms, Mahler, and Bartók.
The Concertgebouw Orchestra appointed Fischer as honorary guest conductor in 2020, acknowledging his long-standing dedication. He joins a distinguished list of past recipients including Cecilia Bartoli (2004), Bernard Haitink (2007), Janine Jansen (2013), Wynton Marsalis (2021), and Joyce DiDonato (2024).The prize will be presented on March 16, 2026, and consists of a commissioned work of art and inclusion on the hall’s tableau of honor. Fischer, who speaks Dutch and once resided in Amsterdam, is also the father of former singer Nora Fischer.