Edwin Fischer – Piano Playing From The Heart (12 CD box set, FLAC)

Composers: Johann Sebastian Bach, Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, Ludwig van Beethoven, Franz Schubert, Johannes Brahms, Wilhelm Furtwangler
Performer: Edwin Fischer
Orchestras: Barbirolli Chamber Orceshtra, Berliner Philharmoniker, Edwin Fischer Chamber Orchestra, London Philharmonic Orchestra, Philharmonia Orchestra
Conductors: Sir John Barbirolli, Lawrance Collingwood, Wilhelm Furtwangler, Josef Krips
Audio CD
SPARS Code: Mono ADD
Number of Discs: 12 CD box set
Format: FLAC (tracks)
Label: EMI Classics
Size: 3.81 GB
Recovery: +3%
Scan: yes

CD 01
01. Keyboard Concerto No. 1 in D Minor, BWV1052 – I. Allegro
02. Keyboard Concerto No. 1 in D Minor, BWV1052 – II. Adagio
03. Keyboard Concerto No. 1 in D Minor, BWV1052 – III. Allegro
04. Keyboard Concerto No. 4 in A Major, BWV1055 – I. Allegro
05. Keyboard Concerto No. 4 in A Major, BWV1055 – II. Larghetto
06. Keyboard Concerto No. 4 in A Major, BWV1055 – III. Allegro ma non tanto
07. Keyboard Concerto No. 5 in F Minor, BWV1056 – I. (Allegro moderato)
08. Keyboard Concerto No. 5 in F Minor, BWV1056 – II. Largo
09. Keyboard Concerto No. 5 in F Minor, BWV1056 – III. Presto
10. Brandenburg Concerto No. 5 in D Major, BWV1050 – I. Allegro
11. Brandenburg Concerto No. 5 in D Major, BWV1050 – II. Affettuoso
12. Brandenburg Concerto No. 5 in D Major, BWV1050 – III. Allegro

CD 02
01. Brandenburg Concerto No. 2 in F Major, BWV1047 – I.
02. Brandenburg Concerto No. 2 in F Major, BWV1047 – II. Andante
03. Brandenburg Concerto No. 2 in F Major, BWV1047 – III. Allegro assai
04. Concerto for three keyboards in C Major, BWV1064 – I. Allegro
05. Concerto for three keyboards in C Major, BWV1064 – II. Adagio cantabile e molto espressivo
06. Concerto for three keyboards in C Major, BWV1064 – III. Allegro
07. Keyboard Concerto No. 2 in E Major, BWV1053 – I.
08. Keyboard Concerto No. 2 in E Major, BWV1053 – II. Siciliano
09. Keyboard Concerto No. 2 in E Major, BWV1053 – III. Allegro
10. Fantasia in C Minor, BWV906
11. Fantasia and Fugue in A Minor, BWV904
12. Chromatic Fantasia and Fugue in D Minor, BWV903

CD 03
01. Das Wohltemperierte Clavier – Book I – No. 1 in C Major, BWV 846 – Prelude
02. Das Wohltemperierte Clavier – Book I – No. 1 in C Major, BWV 846 – Fugue
03. Das Wohltemperierte Clavier – Book I – No. 2 in C Minor, BWV 847 – Prelude
04. Das Wohltemperierte Clavier – Book I – No. 2 in C Minor, BWV847 – Fugue
05. Das Wohltemperierte Clavier – Book I – No. 3 in C Sharp Major, BWV 848 – Prelude
06. Das Wohltemperierte Clavier – Book I – No. 3 in C Sharp Major, BWV 849 – Fugue
07. Das Wohltemperierte Clavier – Book I – No. 4 in C Sharp Minor, BWV849 – Prelude
08. Das Wohltemperierte Clavier – Book I – No. 4 in C Sharp Minor, BWV849 – Fugue
09. Das Wohltemperierte Clavier – Book I – No. 5 in D Major, BWV850 – Prelude
10. Das Wohltemperierte Clavier – Book I – No. 5 in D Major, BWV850 – Fugue
11. Das Wohltemperierte Clavier – Book I – No. 6 in D Minor, BWV851 – Prelude
12. Das Wohltemperierte Clavier – Book I – No. 6 in D Minor, BWV851 – Fugue
13. Das Wohltemperierte Clavier – Book I – No. 7 in E Flat Major, BWV852 – Prelude
14. Das Wohltemperierte Clavier – Book I – No. 7 in E Flat Major, BWV852 – Fugue
15. Das Wohltemperierte Clavier – Book I – No. 8 in E Flat Minor, BWV853 – Prelude
16. Das Wohltemperierte Clavier – Book I – No. 8 in E Flat Minor, BWV853 – Fugue
17. Das Wohltemperierte Clavier – Book I – No. 9 in E Major, BWV854 – Prelude
18. Das Wohltemperierte Clavier – Book I – No. 9 in E Major, BWV854 – Fugue
19. Das Wohltemperierte Clavier – Book I – No. 10 in E Minor, BWV855 – Prelude
20. Das Wohltemperierte Clavier – Book I – No. 10 in E Minor, BWV855 – Fugue
21. Das Wohltemperierte Clavier – Book I – No. 11 in F Major, BWV856 – Prelude
22. Das Wohltemperierte Clavier – Book I – No. 11 in F Major, BWV856 – Fugue
23. Das Wohltemperierte Clavier – Book I – No. 12 in F Minor, BWV857 – Prelude
24. Das Wohltemperierte Clavier – Book I – No. 12 in F Minor, BWV857 – Fugue
25. Das Wohltemperierte Clavier – Book I – No. 13 in F Sharp Major, BWV858 – Prelude
26. Das Wohltemperierte Clavier – Book I – No. 13 in F Sharp Major, BWV858 – Fugue
27. Das Wohltemperierte Clavier – Book I – No. 14 F Sharp Minor, BWV859 – Prelude
28. Das Wohltemperierte Clavier – Book I – No. 14 F Sharp Minor, BWV859 – Fugue
29. Das Wohltemperierte Clavier – Book I – No. 15 in G Major, BWV860 – Prelude
30. Das Wohltemperierte Clavier – Book I – No. 15 in G Major, BWV860 – Fugue
31. Das Wohltemperierte Clavier – Book I – No. 16 in G Minor, BWV861 – Prelude
32. Das Wohltemperierte Clavier – Book I – No. 16 in G Minor, BWV861 – Fugue
33. Das Wohltemperierte Clavier – Book I – No. 17 in A Flat Major, BWV862 – Prelude
34. Das Wohltemperierte Clavier – Book I – No. 17 in A Flat Major, BWV862 – Fugue
35. Das Wohltemperierte Clavier – Book I – No. 18 G Sharp Minor, BWV863 – Prelude
36. Das Wohltemperierte Clavier – Book I – No. 18 G Sharp Minor, BWV863 – Fugue
37. Das Wohltemperierte Clavier – Book I – No. 19 in A Major, BWV864 – Prelude
38. Das Wohltemperierte Clavier – Book I – No. 19 in A Major, BWV864 – Fugue

CD 04
01. Das Wohltemperierte Clavier – Book I – No. 20 in A Minor, BWV865 – Prelude
02. Das Wohltemperierte Clavier – Book I – No. 20 in A Minor, BWV865 – Fugue
03. Das Wohltemperierte Clavier – Book I – No. 21 in B Flat Major, BWV866 – Prelude
04. Das Wohltemperierte Clavier – Book I – No. 22 in B Flat Major, B – Fugue
05. Das Wohltemperierte Clavier – Book I – No. 22in B Flat Minor, BWV867 – Prelude
06. Das Wohltemperierte Clavier – Book I – No. 22 in B Flat Minor, BWV867 – Fugue
07. Das Wohltemperierte Clavier – Book I – No. 23 in B Major, BWV868 – Prelude
08. Das Wohltemperierte Clavier – Book I – No. 23 in B Major, BWV868 – Fugue
09. Das Wohltemperierte Clavier – Book I – No. 24 in B Minor, BWV869 – Prelude
10. Das Wohltemperierte Clavier – Book I – No. 24 in B Minor, BWV869 – Fugue
11. Das Wohltemperierte Clavier – Book II – No. 1 in C Major, BWV870 – Prelude
12. Das Wohltemperierte Clavier – Book II – No. 1 in C Major, BWV870 – Fugue
13. Das Wohltemperierte Clavier – Book II – No. 2 in C Minor, BWV871 – Prelude
14. Das Wohltemperierte Clavier – Book II – No. 2 in C Minor, BWV871 – Fugue
15. Das Wohltemperierte Clavier – Book II – No. 3 in C Sharp Major, BWV872 – Prelude
16. Das Wohltemperierte Clavier – Book II – No. 3 in C Sharp Major, BWV872 – Fugue
17. Das Wohltemperierte Clavier – Book II – No. 4 in C Sharp Minor, BWV873 – Prelude
18. Das Wohltemperierte Clavier – Book II – No. 4 in C Sharp Minor, BWV873 – Fugue
19. Das Wohltemperierte Clavier – Book II – No. 5 in D Major, BWV874 – Prelude
20. Das Wohltemperierte Clavier – Book II – No. 5 in D Major, BWV874 – Fugue
21. Das Wohltemperierte Clavier – Book II – No. 6 in D Minor, BWV875 – Prelude
22. Das Wohltemperierte Clavier – Book II – No. 6 in D Minor, BWV875 – Fugue
23. Das Wohltemperierte Clavier – Book II – No. 7 in E Flat Major, BWV876 – Prelude
24. Das Wohltemperierte Clavier – Book II – No. 7 in E Flat Major, BWV876 – Fugue
25. Das Wohltemperierte Clavier – Book II – No. 8 in D Sharp Minor, BWV877 – Prelude
26. Das Wohltemperierte Clavier – Book II – No. 8 in D Sharp Minor, BWV877 – Fugue
27. Das Wohltemperierte Clavier – Book II – No. 9 in E Major, BWV878 – Prelude
28. Das Wohltemperierte Clavier – Book II – No. 9 in E Major, BWV878 – Fugue
29. Das Wohltemperierte Clavier – Book II – No. 10 in E Minor, BWV 879 – Prelude

CD 05
01. Das Wohltemperierte Clavier – Book II – No. 10 in E Minor, BWV879 – Fugue
02. Das Wohltemperierte Clavier – Book II – No. 11 in F Major, BWV880 – Prelude
03. Das Wohltemperierte Clavier – Book II – No. 11 in F Major, BWV880 – Fugue
04. Das Wohltemperierte Clavier – Book II – No. 12 in F Minor, BWV881 – Prelude
05. Das Wohltemperierte Clavier – Book II – No. 12 in F Minor, BWV881 – Fugue
06. Das Wohltemperierte Clavier – Book II – No. 13 in F Sharp Major, BWV882 – Prelude
07. Das Wohltemperierte Clavier – Book II – No. 13 in F Sharp Major, BWV882 – Fugue
08. Das Wohltemperierte Clavier – Book II – No. 14 in F Sharp Minor, BWV883 – Prelude
09. Das Wohltemperierte Clavier – Book II – No. 14 in F Sharp Minor, BWV883 – Fugue
10. Das Wohltemperierte Clavier – Book II – No. 15 in G Major, BWV884 – Prelude
11. Das Wohltemperierte Clavier – Book II – No. 15 in G Major, BWV884 – Fugue
12. Das Wohltemperierte Clavier – Book II – No. 16 in G Minor, BWV885 – Prelude
13. Das Wohltemperierte Clavier – Book II – No. 16 in G Minor, BWV885 – Fugue
14. Das Wohltemperierte Clavier – Book II – No. 17 in A Flat Major, BWV886 – Prelude
15. Das Wohltemperierte Clavier – Book II – No. 17 in A Flat Major, BWV886 – Fugue
16. Das Wohltemperierte Clavier – Book II – No. 18 in G Sharp Minor, BWV887 – Prelude
17. Das Wohltemperierte Clavier – Book II – No. 18 in G Sharp Minor, BWV887 – Fugue
18. Das Wohltemperierte Clavier – Book II – No. 19 in A major, BWV888 – Prelude
19. Das Wohltemperierte Clavier – Book II – No. 19 in A major, BWV888 – Fugue
20. Das Wohltemperierte Clavier – Book II – No. 20 in A minor, BWV889 – Prelude
21. Das Wohltemperierte Clavier – Book II – No. 20 in A minor, BWV889 – Fugue
22. Das Wohltemperierte Clavier – Book II – No. 21 in B Flat major, BWV890 – Prelude
23. Das Wohltemperierte Clavier – Book II – No. 21 in B Flat major, BWV890 – Fugue
24. Das Wohltemperierte Clavier – Book II – No. 22 in B Flat minor, BWV891 – Prelude
25. Das Wohltemperierte Clavier – Book II – No. 22 in B Flat minor, BWV891 – Fugue
26. Das Wohltemperierte Clavier – Book II – No. 23 in B Major, BWV892 – Prelude
27. Das Wohltemperierte Clavier – Book II – No. 23 in B Major, BWV892 – Fugue
28. Das Wohltemperierte Clavier – Book II – No. 24 in B Minor, BWV893 – Prelude
29. Das Wohltemperierte Clavier – Book II – No. 24 in B Minor, BWV893 – Fugue

CD 06
01. Piano Concerto No. 17 in G Major, K453 – I. Allegro
02. Piano Concerto No. 17 in G Major, K453 – II. Andante
03. Piano Concerto No. 17 in G Major, K453 – III. Allegretto
04. Piano Concerto No. 20 in D Minor, K466 – I. Allegro
05. Piano Concerto No. 20 in D Minor, K466 – II. Romanze
06. Piano Concerto No. 20 in D Minor, K466 – III. Rondo (Allegro assai)
07. Piano Sonata No. 10 in C Major, K330 – I. Allegro moderato
08. Piano Sonata No. 10 in C Major, K330 – II. Andante cantabile
09. Piano Sonata No. 10 in C Major, K330 – III. Allegretto

CD 07
01. Piano Concerto No. 22 in E Flat Major, K482 – I. Allegro
02. Piano Concerto No. 22 in E Flat Major, K482 – II. Andante
03. Piano Concerto No. 22 in E Flat Major, K482 – III. Allegro – Andantino cantabile – Allegro
04. Piano Concerto No. 24 in C Minor, K491 – I. Allegro
05. Piano Concerto No. 24 in C Minor, K491 – II. Larghetto
06. Piano Concerto No. 24 in C Minor, K491 – III. Allegretto
07. Piano Sonata No. 11 in A Major, K331 – I. Tema (Andante grazioso) – Variazioni 1-6
08. Piano Sonata No. 11 in A Major, K331 – II. Menuetto – Trio
09. Piano Sonata No. 11 in A Major, K331 – III. Alla turca (Allegretto)

CD 08
01. Piano Concerto No. 25 in C Major, K503 – I. Allegro maestoso
02. Piano Concerto No. 25 in C Major, K503 – II. Andante
03. Piano Concerto No. 25 in C Major, K503 – III. Finale (Allegretto)
04. Rondo in D Major, K382
05. Fantasia in C Minor, K396
06. Fantasia in C Minor, K475
07. Romance in A Flat Major, KVAnh.205
08. Minuet in G Major, K1 (arr. Fischer)

CD 09
01. Piano Concerto No. 5 in E Flat Major, Op. 73 ‘Emperor’ – I. Allegro
02. Piano Concerto No. 5 in E Flat Major, Op. 73 ‘Emperor’ – II. Adagio un poco mosso –
03. Piano Concerto No. 5 in E Flat Major, Op. 73 ‘Emperor’ – III. Rondo (Allegro)
04. Piano Sonata No. 8 in C Minor, Op. 13 ‘Pathetique’ – I. Grave – Allegro di molto e con brio
05. Piano Sonata No. 8 in C Minor, Op. 13 ‘Pathetique’ – II. Adagio cantabile
06. Piano Sonata No. 8 in C Minor, Op. 13 ‘Pathetique’ – III. Rondo (Allegro)
07. Piano Sonata No. 23 in F Minor, Op. 57 ‘Appassionata’ – I. Allegro assai – Piu allegro
08. Piano Sonata No. 23 in F Minor, Op. 57 ‘Appassionata’ – II. Andante con moto –
09. Piano Sonata No. 23 in F Minor, Op. 57 ‘Appassionata’ – III. Allegro ma non troppo – Presto

CD 10
01. Piano Concerto No. 3 in C Minor, Op. 37 – I. Allegro con brio
02. Piano Concerto No. 3 in C Minor, Op. 37 – II. Largo
03. Piano Concerto No. 3 in C Minor, Op. 37 – III. Rondo (Allegro)
04. Piano Concert No. 4 in G Major, Op. 58 – I. Allegro moderato
05. Piano Concert No. 4 in G Major, Op. 58 – II. Andante con moto –
06. Piano Concert No. 4 in G Major, Op. 58 – III. Rondo (Vivace)

CD 11
01. Four Impromptus, D899 – No. 1 in C Minor
02. Four Impromptus, D899 – No. 2 in E Flat Major
03. Four Impromptus, D899 – No. 3 in G Flat Major
04. Four Impromptus, D899 – No. 4 in A Flat major
05. Four Impromptus, D935 – No. 1 in F Minor
06. Four Impromptus, D935 – No. 2 in A Flat Major
07. Four Impromptus, D935 – No. 3 in B Flat Major
08. Four Impromptus, D935 – No. 4 in F Minor
09. Six Moments musicaux, D780 – No. 1 in C Major
10. Six Moments musicaux, D780 – No. 2 in A Flat Major
11. Six Moments musicaux, D780 – No. 3 in F Minor
12. Six Moments musicaux, D780 – No. 4 in C Sharp Minor
13. Six Moments musicaux, D780 – No. 5 in F Minor
14. Six Moments musicaux, D780 – No. 6 in A Flat Major

CD 12
01. Piano Concerto No. 2 in B Flat Major, Op. 83 – I. Allegro non troppo
02. Piano Concerto No. 2 in B Flat Major, Op. 83 – II. Allegro appassionato
03. Piano Concerto No. 2 in B Flat Major, Op. 83 – III. Andante
04. Piano Concerto No. 2 in B Flat Major, Op. 83 – IV. Allegretto grazioso
05. Symphonic Concerto in B Minor – II. Adagio – Sehr langsam

great set on the whole

A necessity with a few caveats. I have not heard the APR Fischer Mozart collection which some reviewers prefer to this EMI
box, nor can I evaluate the relative technical expertise of the transfers. I do prefer sonically Fischer’s 1946 Mozart concerto #22/EMI
which he conducts to this Icon version with Sir John Barbirolli (1935)- first movement is too quick, I think, but the second movement is also devastating. I would also like to hear other of Fischer’s concerto 24s. e.g.
that with the Danish orchestra. #17 is marred by an excessively hasty first movement. HIs Mozart concerto #25 with the VPO/Krips remains among the very best (see my review). The Rondo k382
is slower than most but is also more exquisite than most, especially in the slowest variation. The unfinished Fantasy k396
is also slower and could use some added fury in the wild second section.
I find the Bach flawless-cds 1-5 here including the complete WT Clavier, the solo keyboard concerti #s 1,2,4, and 5, Brandenburgs #2 and 5
and three solo works: the Chromatic Fantasy and Fugue BWV903, the Fantasia and Fugue BWV904, and the C minor Fantasia BWV906.
All definitely not HIP but informed by interpretive genius // Rudolf Serkin’s BWV903. Best of the Beethoven here is the 39 minute Emperor with Furtwangler/Philharmoni/1951. It is not too slow, but extremely powerful in the outer movements and deeply poetic in the
second movement. This also characterizes their 1942 Brahms second concerto interpretively at least.
The Schubert Imprompti are also excellent , especially D899/2-4 and D935/3 and 4. Fischer understood Schubert’s aggravated bipolarity
in these works, and his playing at best matches the best versions that I know: Arrau in D899 (espeicially his #1) and Rudolf
Serkin’s D935.

Musicality from another era

This is how Emi should always produce their big boxes: an essential selection of the great Edwin Fischer’s recordings, where highlights are many: the pioneering Bach WTK, two lovely Brandenburg concerti, probably unsurpassed Schubert imprompti and an almost deconstructive Brahms second with Furtwängler with quite a few lapses but wonderful sense of creativity plus the legendary Beethoven’s Emperor Concerto. So muss es sein, as Edwin and Wilhelm said in unisono while listening to tapes of the Emperor.

One could have wished more of his Beethoven, as the two sonati here indicate that he is on a par with Schnabel as a Beethovenian. A few additional discs could have been therefore accomodated into this collection. Yet it contains musicianship of the very highest order, unhurried and lovingly played even if pianistically occasionally fussed. Fischer was a musician foremost, composer’s companion and pianist only secondly.

Every piano student should listen to Fischer and avoid copying piano technicians in the mood of Horowitz. This is the antithesis of Lang Lang; instead here can heard the long uninterrupted line from Bach via Beethoven to Brahms. For Fischer they all are contemporaries.

So, this is indispendable. Edwin lives forever and composers through his thoughts of them. And thougths are what one can hear even if Edwin’s fingers are not almost up to his thoughts – but mostly they are.