Edwin Fischer: Unpublished Recordings In The Swiss National Sound Archive
The Swiss National Sound Archive (“Fonoteca”) has uploaded for home listening a number of 78rpm test pressings of unissued HMV recordings from Edwin Fischer’s estate. They add significantly to his legacy, and even include some alternate takes. The sound is excellent in all cases; the discs were evidently in good condition and the restorations have used little or no processing.
We can now hear three more complete Bach concertos with Fischer’s own Chamber Orchestra. This Brandenburg Concerto no 5 is arguably better than his 1952 HMV version, with a magnificent first-movement cadenza; the Concerto for three pianos is the only studio recording by Käte Aschaffenburg, who changed her name to Katja Andy after leaving Germany.
Mozart’s Piano Quartet KV 478, like the published Brahms Quartet op 25, features members of the Breronel Quartet who also played in Fischer’s orchestra. The Mozart D minor Concerto with Jochum was rejected because of unsatisfactory sound, and Fischer recorded it successfully in London in 1933. Two Mozart Sonatas of which he made no other records are unfortunately incomplete.
The recordings can be accessed via the “simple search” facility on Fonoteca’s website, and identified by the catalogue numbers prefixed HR.
Mozart Concerto no 20 KV 466 (HR10223)
2D1121 Movement 1 part 2 Take 1
2D1125 Movement 3 part 1 Take 1
2D1126 Movement 3 part 2 Take 1
Berlin PO conducted by Eugen Jochum, recorded 22 September 1932, Berlin, Electrola Studio
Bach Concerto for 3 pianos BWV 1064 (HR10176)0D1495 Movement 1 part 1 Takes 1 and 2
0D1496 Movement 1 part 2 Takes 1 and 2
0D1497 Movement 2 part 1 Take 1
0D1498 Movement 2 part 2 Take 2
0D1499 Movement 3 part 1 Take 1
0D1500 Movement 3 part 2 Take 1
0D1501 Movement 3 part 1 Take 1 (alternate of 0D1499)
0D1502 Movement 3 part 2 Take 1 (alternate of 0D1500)
Edwin Fischer Chamber Orchestra conducted by Fischer from the piano; Conrad Hansen and Käte Aschaffenburg (pianos II and III), recorded 8 March 1933, Berlin, Electrola Studio
The work is complete on six 10-inch (25cm) sides, two for each movement, but eight matrix numbers were used; 0D1501-1502 are alternate takes of movement 3
Brahms Intermezzo op 117 no 1 (HR10192)
2B5458 Take 1
Recorded 25 November 1933, London, Abbey Road Studio 3
Mozart Sonata KV 545 (HR10262)
2EA4845 Movements 2 and 3 Take 1
Recorded 6 March 1937, London, Abbey Road Studio 3
Mozart Quartet for piano and strings KV 478 (HR10233)
2RA4566 Movement 1 part 1 Takes 1 and 2
2RA4567 Movement 1 part 2 Takes 1 and 2
2RA4568 Movements 1 part 3 & 2 part 1 Take 1
2RA4569 Movement 2 part 2 Take 1
2RA4570 Movement 3 part 1 Takes 1 and 2
2RA4571 Movement 3 part 2 Takes 1 and 2
Edwin Fischer (piano), Vittorio Brero (violin), Rudolf Nel (viola), Theo Schürgers (cello), recorded circa March-April 1940, Berlin, Electrola Studio
Mozart Sonata KV 576 (HR10270)
2RA5317 Movement 2 Takes 1 and 2
Recorded 2 January1942, Berlin, Electrola Studio
Bach Brandenburg Concerto no 5 BWV 1050 (HR10144)
2RA5490 Movement 1 part 1 Take 1
2RA5491 Movement 1 part 2 Take 2
2RA5492 Movement 1 part 3 Take 1
2RA5493 Movement 2 part 1 Take 2
2RA5494 Movements 2 part 2 & 3 part 1 Take 2
2RA5495 Movement 3 part 2 Take 1
Edwin Fischer Chamber Orchestra conducted by Fischer from the piano, recorded circa April 1942, Berlin
Soloists not identified but are almost certainly Fritz Kröckel (flute) and Karl Freund (violin), who played in the issued recording of Brandenburg Concerto no 2 from the same sessions (2RA5470-73, Electrola DB7612-13)
Bach Brandenburg Concerto no 1 BWV 1046 (HR10142)
2RA5570 Movement 1 Takes 1 and 2
2RA5571 Movement 2 Take 1
2RA5572 Movement 3 Take 1
2RA5573 Movement 4 Take 1
Edwin Fischer Chamber Orchestra conducted by Fischer, recorded circa mid-1942, Berlin
Soloists not identified but almost certainly include Karl Freund (violin), Wilhelm Meyer (oboe) and Gerhard Burdach (horn), who were section principals in the orchestra at that time and played solo parts in other recordings
Roger Smithson, 2026
