Johann Caspar Ferdinand Fischer (some authorities use the spelling Johann Kaspar Ferdinand Fischer) (c. 1656 – 27 August 1746) was a German Baroque composer. Johann Nikolaus Forkel ranked Fischer as one of the best composers for keyboard of his day, however, partly due to the rarity of surviving copies of his music, his music is rarely heard today.
Fischer seems to have been of Bohemian origin, possibly born at Schönfeld, but details about his life are sketchy. The first record of his existence is found in the mid-1690s: by 1695 he was Kapellmeister to Ludwig Wilhelm of Baden, and he may have remained with the court until his death in Rastatt.
Much of Fischer's music shows the influence of the French Baroque style, exemplified by Jean Baptiste Lully, and he was responsible for bringing the French influence to German music. Fischer's harpsichord suites updated the standard Froberger model (Allemande - Courante - Sarabande - Gigue); he was also one of the first composers to apply the principles of the orchestral suite to the harpsichord, replacing the standard French ouverture with an unmeasured prelude. Both Bach and Handel knew Fischer's work and sometimes borrowed from it.
"Ricercar pro tempore Adventus" is a nicely formal piece, fugal in nature, and appearing to be of the "south German" style more than from the north. Consequently, it is played on manuals only, the registration being the Great principals at 8' 4' & 2' with the 8' Coppel (Flute) also in use.
The score is attached below, as well as a painting of Johann Caspar Ferdinand Fischer.
Another Advent piece by Fischer can be found here:
http://www.contrebombarde.com/concerthall/music/6031
MORE Advent music to come! :-)
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