Joachim Raff - start with what?

[verismissimo]

I want to do some listening to Joachim Raff - I've been reading about him.

What should I kick off with?

[Roehre]

I want to do some listening to Joachim Raff - I've been reading about him.

What should I kick off with?

Some of his symphonies, especially no.3 op.153 "Im Walde" (In the forest), no.4 op.167 (with a brilliant joke in the finale) or no.5 op.177 "Lenore". The last four symphonies 8-11 are representing the four seasons, but are increasingly weak following Raff's (final) illness.

[Op. XXXIX]

The Piano Concerto has some nifty tunes, especially the primary theme of the finale.

[Il Grande Inquisitor]

I'd certainly agree with Roehre and start with some of the symphonies - No.5 is especially fine, as is the Third. I'd recommend the recordings on Tudor, with the Bamberg SO conducted by Hans Stadlmair.

[BBMmk2]

He has made a transcription, a rather good one, of J S Bach's Chaconne.

[verismissimo]

Thanks for all your suggestions.

I've been researching the Hoch Conservatorium in Frankfurt (that Raff was first director of) and its "offspring" after he died, the Raff Conservatorium.

Realised I'd never listened to his music.

[Barbirollians]

I have been very taken with his Cello Concertos in the cracking Tudor recording with Daniel Muller Schott . Charming and interesting pieces . No 1 in particular would make a nice change in concert.

[Roehre]

I have been very taken with his Cello Concertos in the cracking Tudor recording with Daniel Muller Schott . Charming and interesting pieces . No 1 in particular would make a nice change in concert.

The same applies to his (one) piano concerto op.185 btw.

[Barbirollians]

The same applies to his (one) piano concerto op.185 btw.

The cello sonata is great fun too .

[Dave2002]

Just went looking for some Raff, and found a pleasant Romanze for piano and horn - Op 182, No 1. Prompted by this, I will investigate this composer further.

[Roehre]

Just went looking for some Raff, and found a pleasant Romanze for piano and horn - Op 182, No 1. Prompted by this, I will investigate this composer further.

In the 1860s and early '70s Raff was considered to be THE german symphonic composer of those days, whereas Brahms was the leading chamber music and Wagner the ditto opera composer.

[Barbirollians]

I should of course have said the Duo for cello and piano . The Cello Concertos are delightful I found myself playing the disc right through again.

The Raff Cello Concerto No1 has not been heard at the Proms since 1903 and the rest of his concertos have never made it there. Would be ear tickling different from the Saint Saens foe example again . They sound as if they would have been absolutely made for Jacqueline du Pre.

[Jonathan]

Try the Grand Piano releases for the piano music - there are 3 volumes to date and another 3 in the pipeline!

[DublinJimbo]

A touch of "me too", I'm afraid, but may I add my voice to the recommendations for the Fourth Symphony, the Cello Concertos, the Piano Concerto and the Grand Piano series of raff's piano music. I'd also add the Violin Sonatas to the worth-a-listen list.

[Barbirollians]

Are the Stadlmair performances of the symphonies the ones to have?

I am smitten with the Cello Concerto No1 - though I am sure it helps that the young Daniel Muller-Schott is the soloist.