On the 1714 Balthasar König organ in the former abbey church at Niederehe, restored to its original speech, tuning, and temperament by Hubert Fassen beginning in 1998, Serge Schoonbroodt plays the complete organ works of Johann Caspar Ferdinand Fischer (1656-1746). Fischer’s early post as Kapellmeister to the prince of Saxony-Lauenburg and 32 years in charge of music at the Rastatt court produced a huge amount of music of which very little survives. J. S. Bach knew Ariadne Musica, composed in 1702, and he quoted one theme from it in the Well-Tempered Clavier, perhaps in tribute to Fischer’s work composed in 19 of the 24 chromatic keys. Perhaps the work was composed for a small organ built for the monastery at Tepl in 1700 and that may have been tuned in an equal beating temperament. Blumen-Strauss (Floral Bouquet) is an anthology of works that almost certainly were composed for use in church services. Ariadne Musica (20 Preludes & Fugues) Blumen-Strauss (8 Suites of 8 pieces each) Ricercars: Ave Maria klare Der tag der ist so freüdenreich Da Jesus an dem Creütze stund Crist ist erstanden Komm Heiliger Geist |