My Top 10 Recordings - no. 6: Fischer/WTC

A gold standard recording of a set of pieces that are in themselves gold standards of music. 

Recording all of the Well Tempered Clavier’s preludes and fugues is a rare feat not many pianists have been able to achieve. 

The reason I like Edwin Fischer’s 1930s collection of ‘the 48’ is his fluidity of lines. It reminds me of the fluidity of Bach’s handwritten scores, that outlines his music like a picture. 

Edwin Fischer’s interpretations are luminous and weightless. He weave lines with such ease. His very personal, intimate and romantic playing gives me a sense of Fischer’s utter dedication and devotion to Bach. 

I love Fischer’s polyphonic playing, as it is never instructive or school masterly, but rather like a  journey of discovery.

Since each prelude and fugue presents one of the 24 keys and the world of color and emotion within them, I love to see what Fischer does when it comes to the definition of a particular key.  This is for me a great opportunity of orientation for my own interpretations of a piece.

Not long before this recording will be a century old. A wonderful bridge to the past and to golden age of pianism, and a monumental and very current tribute to the strengths of humankind.