Michael Gotthard Fischer was a student of Johann Christian Kittel, hence a grandson of Johann Sebastian Bach. Fischer succeeded Kittel as organist at the ''Predigerkirche'' in Erfurt and also served as organist at the ''Barfüßerkirche''. From 1816, Fischer taught basso continuo and organ at the ''Erfurt Lehrerseminar''. August Gottfried Ritter, Ludwig Ernst Gebhardi and Eduard Grell were among his students. Due to his gout affliction, he was forced to resign from his position as organist in 1820.
Fischer wrote numerous vocal and instrumental compositions for solo instruments, small and large ensembles, but it was mainly his organ compositions that became famous.
