Joachim Raff: The essential Raff reference Hailed in his lifetime as one of the foremost composers of the romantic era, Raff was forgotten for most of the 20th century Now his reputation is being restored as a new generation of music lovers and performers rediscover him, treasuring his music's beauty and vitality
Joachim Raff: Music Scores This currently offers 27 volumes of Raff's orchestral music, which includes all the symphonies, together with shorter orchestral works, concertos and choral compositions Each score is prefaced by an extensive essay about the work and the background to its composition
Joachim Raff: Catalogue - Orchestral Music Fest-Ouvertüre (für Blasinstrumente) über vier beliebte Burschenlieder [Festival Overture (for Wind Instruments) on four favourite Student Songs] Op 124 (1865) Listen to the complete work Published: 2021, Edition Nordstern Premiere: 15 August 1865, Jena The Music of Joachim Raff: An Illustrated Catalogue Edition Nordstern
Joachim Raff: Catalogue - Vocal Music Musical Tragedy: Samson WoO 20 (1853-57) Listen to an extract Published: 2019 2021, Edition Nordstern Libretto: Raff Premiere: 2022, Weimar Synopsis: Set in biblical Gaza, chief city of the Philistines, the opera tells the story of Samson and Delilah
Joachim Raff: Biography - Switzerland 1822-1845 Raff was born on 22 May 1822 in Lachen, Switzerland He was the second child of the community's school teacher, a German refugee from Württemberg who had fled the Napoleonic wars
Joachim Raff: Biography - Frankfurt 1877-1882 Raff’s enthusiasm and aptitude for teaching reasserted themselves, as did his principled streak; he taught the composition class himself but forbad performances of his own music, and unhesitatingly paid Stockhausen more than himself to secure the singer’s services
Joachim Raff: Biographical Sketch Raff walked the 80kms from Zurich but found the recital sold-out Liszt, impressed with Raff determination, insisted that the rain-soaked young man sit next to him throughout the recital and, recognising his talent, offered him a place on the tour he was conducting, which took them to Germany
Joachim Raff: Biography - Weimar 1850-1856 Raff's spirits were lifted by the visit in June 1851 of Hans von Bülow and his mother, during which Raff gave instruction to his young friend and also helped persuade Bülow's mother, who remained nervous at the prospect, that her son had a brilliant musical future
Joachim Raff: Biography - Wiesbaden 1867-1877 The other two significant works completed by Raff in 1867 were his String Quartet No 4 Op 137 and String Quartet No 5 Op 138, together with the two Piano Four Hands Sonatas which Raff arranged from them The quartets were published a couple of years later, but the sonatas remain in manuscript