“Regarding Mahler’s “Resurrection” Symphony, it is important to note that Maestro Arthur Fagen’s interpretation balanced intimacy, reverence, and grandeur. He never exaggerated his gestures; instead, he was very restrained in his expressiveness, yet this did not detract from the precision and dynamism of his conducting. In this extensive work, he maintained control over the sound volume of the National Symphony Orchestra of Colombia and handled the entry of the soloists’ voices with delicacy. In this rendition, the conductor brought out intriguing details in the composer’s orchestration for the audience.
Arthur Fagen’s interpretation captured all these elements of 19th-century decadence while conveying a vision of life’s victory over death.
During the first movement of the Resurrection Symphony, Maestro Fagen managed to musically depict Mahler’s entire emotional tempest without allowing the interpretation to become heavy. From the initial measures with the violins, and particularly with the strength of the cellos, he delved into the depths of the composer’s psyche. The dramatic opening already suggested the potential for a memorable concert, which it indeed became.
The excellent quality of the choir, the sound of the organ, the coordination of the offstage brass section, the quality of the soloists, and, above all, the skill of Arthur Fagen’s baton, expertly delineated every detail of this composition full of transcendent ideals.”
Ricardo Visbal Sierra, Sept. 10, 2024, LINK
The sound heard at the inaugural concerts of the International Festival of Sacred Music at the Teatro Mayor Julio Mario Santo Domingo was exceptional […] There’s no need for words to describe the richness of the sound; it suffices to highlight the impressive range of orchestral shades and colors, which, under the firm baton of Maestro Arthur Fagen and the magnificent National Choir led by Diana Cifuentes, along with some members of the National Band performing backstage, allowed soloists Milena Arsovska and Andrea Niño to deliver an outstanding performance.
Ivan Contreras, September 2024, Tempo Revista, LINK