Fisher: Symphonies Nos. 1-6 Petra Žďárská, Czech Chamber Philharmonic Orchestra Pardubice & Michael Halász

• John Abraham Fisher (1744 - 1806): Symphony No. 1 in E Major:
• 1 Fisher: Symphony No. 1 in E Major: I. Maestoso 02:22
• 2 Fisher: Symphony No. 1 in E Major: II. Andantino 01:42
• 3 Fisher: Symphony No. 1 in E Major: III. Prestissimo 01:32
• Symphony No. 2 in D Major:
• 4 Fisher: Symphony No. 2 in D Major: I. Allegro di molto 02:43
• 5 Fisher: Symphony No. 2 in D Major: II. Largo e pomposo 01:57
• 6 Fisher: Symphony No. 2 in D Major: III. Presto assai 01:36
• Symphony No. 3 in E-Flat Major:
• 7 Fisher: Symphony No. 3 in E-Flat Major: I. Con molto spirito 03:11
• 8 Fisher: Symphony No. 3 in E-Flat Major: II. Andantino amoroso 05:38
• 9 Fisher: Symphony No. 3 in E-Flat Major: III. Presto assai 02:10
• Symphony No. 4 in B-Flat Major:
• 10 Fisher: Symphony No. 4 in B-Flat Major: I. Allegro di molto 04:28
• 11 Fisher: Symphony No. 4 in B-Flat Major: II. Adagio molto affettuoso 05:21
• 12 Fisher: Symphony No. 4 in B-Flat Major: III. Tempo di minuetto 03:18
• Symphony No. 5 in D Major:
• 13 Fisher: Symphony No. 5 in D Major: I. Allegro con molto spirito 02:53
• 14 Fisher: Symphony No. 5 in D Major: II. Andantino 05:16
• 15 Fisher: Symphony No. 5 in D Major: III. Allegro di molto 02:13
• Symphony No. 6 in C Major:
• 16 Fisher: Symphony No. 6 in C Major: I. Allegro di molto 04:00
• 17 Fisher: Symphony No. 6 in C Major: II. Adagio 03:29
• 18 Fisher: Symphony No. 6 in C Major: III. Tempo di minuetto 03:26
• Total Runtime 57:15

Info for Fisher: Symphonies Nos. 1-6

Described as having ‘natural genius’, John Abraham Fisher (1744–1806) was a significant figure in London during the second half of the 18th century. A virtuoso violinist, he also wrote admired stage works for the Theatre Royal, Covent Garden. His orchestral works are largely forgotten today, but his symphonies display a surprising awareness of contemporary continental trends in their use of dynamic variations, revealing the influence of the Mannheim School. Possessing a richness of colour, contrast and surprise, these symphonies typify Fisher’s expanding Classical style.

The composer’s name is barely known and this is an excellent opportunity to promote British symphonic music of the second half of the 18th century; he can viewed alongside John Christopher Smith and Thomas Arne.

Michael Halász’s recordings for Naxos include ballets by Tchaikovsky, operatic excerpts of Wagner, symphonies by Beethoven, Schubert and Mahler, Rossini’s overtures, three volumes of Liszt’s symphonic poems (the latter critically acclaimed by The Penguin Guide), Fidelio (866007071), Don Giovanni (866008082), Le nozze di Figaro (866010204), Die Zauberflöte (866003031), and a pioneering recording of Schreker’s opera Der ferne Klang (866007475). He has also recorded Pergolesi’s Stabat Mater and Orfeo (8550766), Richard Strauss’s Le Bourgeois Gentilhomme (8553379), and Rubinstein’s Don Quixote (8555394).

The Czech Chamber Philharmonic Orchestra Pardubice is valued for its stylistic interpretations and the extraordinary quality of its orchestral sound. They have appeared on several volumes of the Cimarosa Overtures series on Naxos – the final instalment (8574103) receiving praise for their ‘clean and competent’ (Fanfare) performances under Michael Halász.

Petra Žďárská, harpsichord
Czech Chamber Philharmonic Orchestra Pardubice
Michael Halász, conductor

Petra Žďárská
graduated in piano from the Conservatory of Pardubice, but after developing a passion for the harpsichord decided to continue studies at the Academy of Performing Arts in Prague (HAMU) with Giedré Lukšaité Mrázková, and the Conservatoire National Supérieur Musique et Danse de Lyon as part of the Erasmus programme. Žďárská has been mentored by numerous world-renowned musicians.

In 2012, she completed her master’s degree, and in the same year won The Gideon Klein Foundation prize for best Czech participant at the Prague Spring International Music Competition. In 2018, she earned her doctorate from HAMU and established herself as a professor of the harpsichord at the same institution. She also teaches at the Conservatory of Pardubice. Žďárská regularly collaborates with ensembles Pro Arte Bohemica and Project FANDANGO.

Booklet for Fisher: Symphonies Nos. 1-6