Hardly any of Beethoven’s symphonies lives as much from the colourfulness of the instrumentation as the “Pastoral”.

Nevertheless, a contemporary dared to write a chamber music transcription of this popular masterpiece immediately after its publication - with profit!

The latest discovery of the Parnassus Academy juxtaposes Michael Gotthard Fischer’s version of the Sixth Symphony for string sextet with his own Piano Quartet, which have never been recorded before.

Fischer was only three years younger than Beethoven and was one of the first reviewers of the “Pastoral” in the renowned Allgemeine musikalische Zeitung.

His judgement shows a deep understanding of Beethoven’s visionary creative power and the subtle tonal details of the composition.

Fischer was an extremely talented composer, as the piano quartet beautifully demonstrates. The ambition of the large-scale work is expressed not least in the dedication to Queen Luise, and Fischer does justice to it by every trick in the book. Elements of sonata and concerto are skilfully interwoven and artful cadenzas introduced.

The musicianship of pianist Johann Blanchard and the other soloists of the Parnassus Academy ably demonstrate this new discovery for all to enjoy.