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Friday, September 8, 2017

Joachim Raff - Works for Violin & Piano Vol. 3 (Ingolf Turban; Jascha Nemtsov)


Information

Composer: Joachim Raff
  1. Aus der Schweiz, Op. 57: Phantastische Ekloge
  2. Violin Sonata No. 3 in D major, Op. 128: I. Allegro
  3. Violin Sonata No. 3 in D major, Op. 128: II. Allegro assai
  4. Violin Sonata No. 3 in D major, Op. 128: III. Andante quasi Larghetto
  5. Violin Sonata No. 3 in D major, Op. 128: IV. Allegro vivace
  6. Sonatillen, Op. 99: No. 4 Allegro
  7. Sonatillen, Op. 99: No. 5 Scherzo
  8. Sonatillen, Op. 99: No. 6 Larghetto quasi Andante
  9. Sonatillen, Op. 99: No. 7 Vivace
  10. Duo on motifs from Wagner's 'Der fliegende Holländer', Op. 63 No. 1

Ingolf Turban, violin
Jascha Nemtsov, piano

Date: 2004
Label: cpo


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Review

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 WallerMusicWeb International

More review:
http://www.raff.org/records/reviews/chamber/13.htm

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Joachim Raff (May 27, 1822 – June 24 or June 25, 1882) was a German-Swiss composer, teacher and pianist. He worked as Liszt's assistant at Weimar from 1850 to 1853, helping in the orchestration of several of Liszt's works. From 1878 he was the first Director of, and a teacher at, the Hoch Conservatory in Frankfurt, where he employed Clara Schumann and a number of other eminent musicians as teachers. His pupils there included Edward MacDowell and Alexander Ritter. Raff was very prolific, and by the end of his life was one of the best known German composers, though his work is largely forgotten today.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Joachim_Raff

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Ingolf Turban (born 17th March 1964 in Munich) is a German violinist. He studied with Gerhard Hetzel, Jens Ellermann and Dorothy DeLay, among others. Turban was appointed concertmaster with the Munich Philharmonic Orchestra under Celibidache in 1985, but departed to launch a solo career in 1988. Turban is best known for his spirited interpretations of the works of Paganini, and also commands a huge repertory of works by Mozart, Schumann, Joachim Raff, Ysaÿe, Wieniawski, Bruch, Reinecke, Respighi, Kreisler, etc. He has concertized throughout Europe and the U.S., and has made over 30 recordings.

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Jascha Nemtsov (born 7th October 1963 in Magadan, Siberia, USSR) is a Russian pianist and musicologist. As a pianist he has recorded more than 30 CDs, featuring numerous world premiere recordings and a vast spectrum of repertoire from Romantic compositions such as Liszt and Raff to music of the New Jewish School, Turkish music (Saygun), Bartok, Shostakovich, Prokofiev and other modern Russian composers. In his scientific works he focuses on Jewish music and Jewish composers of the 20th century, and gives guest lectures and master classes in Europe and North America.

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