The Raff Symphonies: which one is your favourite and why?

[Ilja]

Being a mac owner, I never experienced a similar problem. (combination Firefox/iTunes).

[DennisS]

thanks Mark for your reply re- my difficulty streaming certain extracts on the Raff site. The problem seemed to arise only on certain works(newer entries?) and I have listened to a large number of extracts merely by clicking on the icon. As I now know what to do, it's no longer a problem as such. I note that Ilya says it's not a Mac problem. I use a Dell computer.

By the way, I would still like to have your thoughts on Erkki Melartin, especially his violin concerto.

Regards
Dennis

[Mark Thomas]

Dennis, I've replied to you by private email.

[Peter1953]

I have just listened again to Raff's less beloved 6th. Definitely an attractive and interesting symphony to listen to, and I simply love it. Maybe not as good as most of his other symphonies, but that is partly due to the last movement, I guess.
This symphony raises a question, which I like to discuss in a seperate topic.

[Alan Howe]

The 6th is one of my guilty pleasures. I particularly love the first movement coda - exciting, or what?

[Wieland]

Oops, for seven years no one wrote something here. Today, I listened again to the "In Summer" symphony of Joachim Raff and its seems to become my favourite symphony of his along the "Lenore". It is such a wonderful symphony and the main theme of the 1st movement is one of those melodies that will stay in my mind for days. I listened to the Stadlmair recording today and I have to check soon whether I prefer this one or the Albert on cpo.

[adriano]

@Lew Lewis (who, unfortunately, posted as a guest only).

I am intrigued about what you write, since I have no idea anymore who you are (sorry) :-(

As posted in earlier Raff chapters, there are quite a few of his Symphonies or Symphony movements which I find a bit boring and superficial, but excellently orchestrated and perfectly constructed. I miss in Raff the sparkle and tightness of a Mendelssohn or the dephth of a Schumann - nevertheless, if perfomed/interperted well, Raff can be "sold" - and we Swiss should be proud of him. I find his Grand Quintuor for piano and string quartet much better than some of his Symphonies or his great (and "Great") piano trios...

"Leonore" remains my favorite: in there, Raff almost breaks the mould...

[Wieland]

Hi Adriano
nice to also meet you here. We recently had some exchange on your Brun series on another forum.
Best regards
Lutz from Stuttgart

[Alan Howe]

A quick reminder, if I may: personal messages are best sent via UC's PM facility.

[Wieland]

You may, I did not realize this forum has this function, nice

[adriano]

I know, Alan, but he is a guest and there is no possibility to send a personal message

[Alan Howe]

Well, actually he's a member, so...

[adriano]

And how can I know this? I just answered his old posting of June 2009, where he wrote as a guest. Is there a complete member list somewhere?

[Wieland]

I try to solve this misunderstanding via UC PM.

[Alan Howe]

Apologies, Adriano. Obviously I have this information as Administrator.