Notes and Editorial Reviews
This is not a new disc but like the recent recording of his quartets,
which I reviewed recently, it brings some Raff works to the spotlight
that might otherwise rest untended.
The one movement Ode is a compact affair written in 1857. It’s
deliciously verdant, with finely and characteristically eventful
scoring. The first violin figure with which it begins is captivating
in its freshness. The piano slides in quietly, even speculatively,
without fuss certainly. It is however full of lyrical sentiment,
responding to the ensuing solo cello lied with dapple and filigree.
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Raff assuredly mines some Lisztian rhetoric from time to time
but he is always affable, balancing the urge for virtuosity with
Mendelssohnian warmth. His wind melodies are pleasing, and there’s
a proud and strong conclusion. Michael Ponti recorded this with
the Westphalian Symphony and Richard Kapp on Vox, a performance
I’ve yet to hear, but this more up-to-date effort sees Peter Aronsky
and Jost Meier collaborating with verve and sensitivity.
It’s a touch surprising that Raff wrote only one full-scale concerto
for the piano. Of the two works in this disc the Piano Concerto
of 1873 should be the more imposing. For one thing it’s the product
of his maturity, and for another it’s twice as long as the Ode.
It was premiered by no less a figure than von Bülow with the composer
himself conducting, and was apparently extremely popular. The
piano pitches straight in, but soon embraces warm filigree and
a Chopinesque ethos. The writing for the piano is fluent, a touch
decorative. The orchestration however is, to my ears, bafflingly
modest. The Lisztian charge in the opening movement, with its
cascading piano, is certainly arresting, and the virtuosic flourishes
to end the movement are undeniably effective. But the roulades
of the second movement are dainty and pretty and there’s not overmuch
textual interplay between piano and orchestra; the Field-Chopin
influence is strong but without quite their purposeful quality.
The skittish Mendelssohnisms of the finale bring the Concerto
to an enjoyable conclusion.
Of the two though, the Ode is the more attractive work. It’s better
integrated and has better melodies, and is more of a whole. Aronsky
is a fine guide, and he has been accorded good collaborators and
a recording to match. Don’t however start your quest for the composer
here: this is for the more seasoned Raff traveller.
-- Jonathan Woolf, MusicWeb International Read less
Works on This Recording
1.
Ode au printemps, Op. 76 by Joseph Joachim Raff
Performer:
Peter Aronsky (Piano)
Conductor:
Jost Meier
Orchestra/Ensemble:
Basel Radio Symphony Orchestra
Period: Romantic
Written: 1857; Wiesbaden, Germany
2.
Concerto for Piano in C minor, Op. 185 by Joseph Joachim Raff
Performer:
Peter Aronsky (Piano)
Conductor:
Matthias Bamert
Orchestra/Ensemble:
Basel Radio Symphony Orchestra
Period: Romantic
Written: 1873; Wiesbaden, Germany
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