This disc is the third
in a series of Raff’s music for violin
and piano which has received excellent
reviews so far (see links to volumes
1 and 2 below). Raff was a prolific
composer whose output includes 11 symphonies
and much more besides (see composer
sketch by David Wright linked below
for details). Although some of his most
important works have been recorded in
recent years, they do not seem to survive
in the catalogue for long. Perhaps that
is about to change but, in case not,
I recommend investigating this series
without delay. Raff may not have a truly
individual voice but the music on this
disc is full of invention and consistently
pleasurable listening. The literature
seems to suggest that Raff’s strongest
influence was Mendelssohn. Whilst there
is evidence of that here, I was also
reminded of Beethoven (for example,
in the Larghetto movement of Sonatillen),
which is surely a compliment!
The disc opens with
Aus der Schweiz, subtitled "Fantastic
Eclogue", an extended single movement
work lasting about 14 minutes. This
opens and closes dramatically but is
a fundamentally pastoral work depicting
cowherds in Alpine meadows and utilising
a traditional melody in the form of
a waltz. It is a relatively youthful
work but perhaps the most striking piece
on the disc.
The Sonata No 3 is
the most substantial work, traditionally
crafted in four movements with the slow
movement placed third. Although not
a masterpiece (the thematic material
in the first movement is rather lightweight),
it is well-proportioned and does not
outstay its welcome. Following a restless
scherzo-like 2nd movement,
the Andante quasi Larghetto is particularly
attractive, and the Finale sprints along
delightfully.
There follows four
movements from Sonatillen, pieces derived
from music originally intended for solo
piano. In practical terms they make
up a Sonatina lasting a quarter of an
hour. This is less technically demanding
than the Sonata but even more immediately
attractive. Finally, the Duo is based
on motifs from Wagner’s The Flying
Dutchman. Raff seems to have absorbed
relatively little Wagner and had to
leave Weimar in the mid-1850s after
the publication of his book The Wagner
Question. So it is rather curious
that he should then compose a series
of three such pieces (the others are
based on Tannhäuser and
Lohengrin and appear in volumes
1 and 2). Inevitably, some of the passion
and grandeur of the original music are
lost – Wagner without the fizz – but
what’s left behind is entertaining nevertheless.
The playing on this
disc is simply excellent. Turban and
Nemtsov are a fine duo who seem perfectly
attuned to Raff’s music. They make a
convincing case for all these pieces
and are very naturally recorded. The
presentation contains detailed notes
on the composer and each work. In every
way this is a most successful disc.
It is part of a valuable project which
deserves a long-term place in the catalogue.
Patrick C Waller
Links
Volume 1: http://www.musicweb-international.com/classrev/2003/Jun03/Raff_sonatas1.htm
Volume 2: http://www.musicweb-international.com/classrev/2003/Oct03/MoWRaff.htm
Composer Sketch: http://www.musicweb-international.com/classrev/2002/July02/Raff_profile.htm
Ingolf Turban (violin), Jascha Nemtsov (piano)
