Johann Caspar Ferdinand FISCHER
(c1670-1746)
Musical Parnassus, Volume 2.
Muscalischer Parnassus - Terpsichore (Suite No. 7);
Polymnia (Suite No. 8); Uranie (Suite No. 9). Musicalisches
Blumen-Büschlein, Op. 2: Suite No. 2 in F; Suite No. 8
in G.
Luc Beauséjour
(harpsichord).
Naxos 8.554446 [DDD]
[60'19]
Crotchet
C.P.E. Bach stated that Fischer was one of the few composers who had influenced
his father's music. Praise indeed, although quotes like that can send one's
expectations rocketing over and beyond the music's actual substance.
It would appear Luc Beauséjour believes in the status Fischer's music
without reservation, however. He is always compelling and sensitive to the
music's every mood and is capable of applying the requisite rigour when
warranted.
The Musicalischer Parnassus was published in Augsburg in 1738 and
consists of nine Dance Suites. Fischer brought the French style to German
keyboard music with great panache. Beauséjour enjoys the nimbler moments
and makes effective use of the lute stop in the second Menuet of Suite
No. 7 and again in Suite No. 9. He brings the same authority to the generally
less inspired Suites from the Musicalisches Blumen-Buchlein, Op. 2
(1698), which despite his advocacy make for less interesting listening. The
ninth movement of the Second Suite (entitled Canaries) exemplifies
a general trend, however: the ornaments are on the slack side and require
that extra bit of life.
All in all, interesting if not indispensable. The harpsichord is recorded
at a high level.
Reviewer
Colin Clarke
Performance
Recording
