Edwin Fischer (1886-1960) was a profound interpreter whose performances as soloist and in concertos conducted from the keyboard remain compelling and timeless. Fischer's main teacher was Martin Krause, a Liszt-pupil who never played for this students. Fischer's originality enlightened his readings of familiar and forgotten works: he frequently programmed Mozart's Piano Concertos and led romantic and insightful performances of Bach's Concertos, excerpts from the Musical Offering, and Brandenburg Concertos. As a conductor, his left great interpretations of Haydn and Mozart symphonies. Fischer's incursions into the 20th century included the late-Romantic piano concerto by his colleague, the conductor Wilhelm Furtwangler, and works by Reger. He actively taught and performed throughout Europe as a soloist and in trios until arthritis prematurely halted his career in 1955. Fischer's books on composers and the mission of the interpreter were published in German, French, and Italian. As usual, they have not yet been translated into English.
© Allan Evans, 1998