Johannes Brahms; Richard Wagner - Edwin Fischer & Wilhelm Furtwängler in Berlin 08.11.1942

Information

Composer: Johannes Brahms; Richard Wagner

• Brahms - Piano Concerto No. 2 in B-Flat Major, Op. 83
• Wagner - Tristan und Isolde, WWV 90: Prelude - Liebestod

Edwin Fischer, piano

Berlin Philharmonic Orchestra

Wilhelm Furtwängler, conductor

Date: 1942 / 2025

Label: Archipel

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Edwin Fischer (1886–1960) was a distinguished Swiss pianist, conductor, and pedagogue, widely regarded as one of the leading pianists of the 20th century, especially in the Germanic repertoire of Bach, Beethoven, and Schubert. Educated in Basel and Berlin, he later taught at major institutions and gained prominence after World War I. Fischer was noted for his intellectually rigorous, non-virtuosic approach and his early interest in historically informed performance. He was also an influential teacher, mentoring figures such as Alfred Brendel and Daniel Barenboim. His recordings, particularly Bach’s Well-Tempered Clavier, remain highly influential.

Wilhelm Furtwängler (1886–1954) was a renowned German conductor, known for his deeply personal interpretations and devotion to the German artistic tradition. Though he saw himself primarily as a composer, his fame came from conducting, notably works by Beethoven. He held top posts with major orchestras, including the Berlin Philharmonic and Staatskapelle Berlin. Furtwängler's conducting style emphasized expressive re-interpretation over strict adherence to tradition. During the Nazi era, he remained in Germany, resisting Nazi ideology while being exploited by the regime for propaganda. His Second Symphony, composed in exile in Switzerland (1945–46), remains his most recognized original work.