Unsung Composers

The Swiss Fonogram label is planning to record a CD for release later this year featuring Johann Carl Eschmann's Concert Overture, orchestral songs by Raff and the rather fine Symphony of August Walter (http://www.unsungcomposers.com/forum/index.php/topic,7525.msg79026.html#msg79026), for which Reverie recently made such a good electronic realisation. Artists are the Swiss Orchestra, conducted by Lena-Lisa Wüstendörfer, with the mezzo Marie-Claude Chappuis as soloist in the Raff songs. This is a crowd-funded project - full details here (https://www.lokalhelden.ch/cd-schatzkammer).

It's completely in German. No translation available

Doch! It's also available in French and Italian...

I guess we'll have to ask Adriano for the story behind it. I have the suspicion he was involved!

Nice project, but they are missing a massive market of potential English speaking donors

This is where OCR technology and translating software, though easy to laugh at for their deficiencies (I don't!! I can just guess how hard they are to program at all), come into their own :)

Just copy & paste into Google Translate - it's perfectly understandable then. Adriano will tell us if he's involved, I'm sure, but I know that the Swiss Raff Society are quite heavily involved in the project.

Indeed: it's soooo simple - use Google translate! ::)

I'm pretty sure Adriano's not involved.

Quote from: Alan Howe on Saturday 01 August 2020, 14:59
Indeed: it's soooo simple - use Google translate! ::)

I'm pretty sure Adriano's not involved.

Simple for some, but maybe not for others. I have questioned if they are really serious about wanting English speaking donations. Maybe its a project not wanting donations from this source?

I'm sorry but I feel like if they want, they can make an English page as well. I know it's simple to translate via google but if they want donation then the least they can do is make an English page. I'm certainly not going to go through the task of translation myself to make a donation. I agree with @Joachim_Raff

QuoteIndeed: it's soooo simple - use Google translate! ::)

I'm, and it looks like I'm not alone, not comfortable using Google translate - why is that so hard for people to understand?

I can see the point about about attracting English-speaking donors; however, if it is a just matter of understanding, then Google translate is extremely simple, extremely quick and completely free. I use it all the time for translating from languages I don't know and I'm hardly a whizz with technology.

This particular issue has now been discussed to death. Let's now return to the music involved here.

Quote from: Alan Howe on Saturday 01 August 2020, 16:18
This particular issue has now been discussed to death. Let's now return to the music involved here.

Alan, I was going to jump in and keep beating the dead horse about the translating, but if you insist.  ;D

Have the two Raff songs (Op. 66 & Op. 199) ever been recorded in a concert or realized electronically? Or would this be the first time the public would be able to hear a recording?

It will be recording premieres for all three songs (Op.199 comprises two songs), which makes this release an important one for Raff aficionados. Together I estimate they'll last around 20 minutes. Of course, I'm making the assumption that all three will be recorded, but there should be plenty of room on the CD for them and Eschmann's Overture, as Walter's Symphony lasts around 40 minutes. There are actually two other, very short, orchestral songs by Raff which I discovered a few years ago, pieces written in the mid-1850s as additions to another composer's stage work. They remain in manuscript and I doubt whether there's enough time now to add them to this recording, although I have now suggested that. We'll see.

This is just a crowd funding advertisement; the producers are looking for money to finance this project. Curiously enough, the contributions should be paid to Raiffeisen, a Bank woth enough billions in its vaults, able to finance hundreds of such projects in full... One should not forget that we are probably the richest country of the world. On the disturbed realtionship of Swiss Culture Funds regarding forgotten music we discussed already in earlier threads.

Adriano is definitely not involved in this project. This joung lady conductor is being promoted since a couple of years over all media as a discoverer of forgotten Swiss music... Of course, Mrs Wüstendörfer has a Conservatory diploma and has been an assistant of Claudio Abbado - both things which I have not, so after all, who am I?

(I am promoting less-known/forgotten Swiss music since over 30 years, but Swiss media were never interested to write about it... Of all my Sterling, Guild and Marco Polo CDs with Swiss music I've got just a miserable handful of reviews over here - compared to the dozens fron the rest of the world.
An example: My Fritz Brun box has been reviewed so far in Switzerland only twice: a guy from Lucerne found my conducting uninspired and dull, another one from Berne spent no words about my interpretations - and both did not even mention that there is a 164-page booklet available online. On the first review, two foreign musicologists wrote protestation letters to the responsible magazine; they were scandalised and said that the author probably had not even listened seriously to the music.
And years ago, when a couple of Swiss Radio presentors announced my old Guild recording of Brun's Fourth in a "new CDs" transmission (what an honour!), the lady asked her male companion: "Adriano?? Is he still around??" and giggled softly).

Quote from: Mark Thomas on Sunday 02 August 2020, 08:08
It will be recording premieres for all three songs (Op.199 comprises two songs), which makes this release an important one for Raff aficionados.

Very exciting! And to know that it should be out by the end of the year. Looking forward to it.

Indeed. There hasn't been many Raff recordings to look forward to as of late(they seem to have tapered off unfortunately)

BTW I've just about the complete Raff Discography available. :)

Quotethey seem to have tapered off unfortunately

There are well over 40 CDs of his music already available, of course. The issue is that almost all his orchestral and chamber music has been recorded, many of the major works at least twice over, and what remains is the music which is either more difficult to sell (piano music and songs) or works which are very expensive to stage/record (operas and large scale choral works).

hrm. There are some small (low-overhead?) labels that specialize in a cappella music that could record maybe go there with his and several other Romantic composers who wrote a fair amount of this (in Raff's case we have Opp. 97, 122, 195 and for mixed chorus Op.198. Other Swiss composers I know of also wrote a lot of unaccompanied choral music, I think.)

Oh yes, eschcss1, that would make up a few very interesting CDs!

Yes! Mark, make it happen! ;D

Selfish of me, I know, but I like to choose my own projects, thanks.

Let them complain about the Brun. I found it an extremely pleasant surprise.

Incidentally, Brun also wrote quite an interesting quantity of unaccompanied (and accompanied) choral music - mainly for the two choirs (Cäcilienverein and Berner Liedertafel) he "owned" during many years, but also because he loved writing for smaller and less professional formations. Some of the pieces were, of course, of patriotic kind - it was the time of nationalism - but most are very lyric and valuable.
And, of course, he performed (and premiered) many choral pieces (with piano or unaccompanied) by his fellow composers Schoeck, Huber, Andreae, Hegar, Müller and others. Some full-evening programs were even uniquely dedicated to Swiss composers; I have the leaflets in from of me; it's incredible what one could hear in those times and what today is forgotten...
Just to mention two examples of "full Swiss" programs:
1926: works by Baumgartner, Huber, Niggli, Schoeck, Klose, Munzinger, Brun and Andreae.
1926: works by Andreae, Doret, Suter, Jelmoli, Gund, Lavater, Niggli, Munzinger and Jaques-Dalcroze.
In 1930 he conducted a mixed program containing Raff's "Sterben ist ein' harte Buss".

Among Brun's original output one can even find pieces on poems by "Rumantsch" (our 4th Swiss language) and Swiss Italian authors.
There is an old 78rpm recording of 1929 (the sole which, so far, could be found of him as a chorusmaster) of Brun conducting his "Aufblick". On the other side of the disc he conducts Suter's "Unsere Berge".
Particularly beautiful are his Four female a-cappella choir songs on poems by Ludwig Uhland - and the Eduard Mörike settings (also for female choir).
Of the two pieces I've recorded myself ("Verheissung" - for mixed choir - and "Grenzen der Menschheit" - for male choir - both with orchestral accompaniment) the second was at first conceived for an a-cappella formation; he orchestrated it later. It's one of his more ambitious and harmonically strangest/darkest pieces for that formation; I bet it caused not a huge success...

Brun knew very well how to write for choirs: his Cologne Conservatory composition teacher was Franz Wüllner, who, among others, is the autor of various chorus teaching and excercises manuals who are still reprinted and used today.
Wüllner the composer wrote some very valuable works for chrous and orchestra, as an impressing "Te Deum":
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZxA3yhcAbIM

Getting back to the projected CD, it looks like it's going to happen. The crowd funding target is CHF20,000 by the end of October, but after only a few days CHF16,230 has been pledged.  Good oh!

Yes indeed, it's looking good! It's to be hoped that the momentum can be kept. Perhaps the choice of a local funding platform was a wise one even though that bank's site is not available in English.
Definitely looking forward to this!

Quoteeven though that bank's site is not available in English

Let's not go there again.

It is certainly very encouraging that so much has been raised in so short a period of time.

It will be interesting to see if there is a good turnout for the concerts of the Swiss Orchestra  scheduled for November.
KONZERTPROGRAMM

Felix Mendelssohn Bartholdy (1809 – 1847)
Ouvertüre zu «Das Märchen von der schönen Melusine», op. 32

Joseph Joachim Raff (1822 Lachen – 1882)
Zwei Scenen, op. 199 sowie «Traumkönig und sein Lieb», op.66
für Singstimme und Orchester

Menuett und Scherzo aus der Suite Nr.1, op. 101

Cavatina für Violine und Orchester, op. 85 Nr. 3

Richard Wagner (1813 – 1883)
«Tribschener Idyll» (Siegfried-Idyll), WWWV 103

August Walter (1821 – 1896 Basel)
Sinfonie in Es-Dur, op. 9

The Eschmann overture is part of another Swiss tour that had to be postponed to June next year.

It's good to have confirmation that all three of Raff's published orchestral songs should be recorded.

Even though I couldn't make heads or tails of the campaign I'm glad it was a success.

I do wonder how they will record this with the all pervasive covid? supposed to be coming out this year?

That is exactly what I am asking myself too, Kevin. Swiss Covid regulations allow a minimum of 2 meters of distance (360 degrees) between musicians. Imagine if a chorus would have been involved - in the concert-hall no place for a (limited) audience would have been possible.
Since June 6th, audiences of only 300 people are allowed for concerts and public manifestations and I imagine that in the following cold season, Covid will come back with more virulence. They hope to allow a maximum of 1000 perople starting August 31st, but meanwhile here in Switzerland too, we have come back to three-digit new infections figures per day.

Are we sure that the recording hasn't already taken place?

Huh? So why did they do the campaign to raise funds??

Everybody is optimistic, Kevin... But I have the reputation of always being a pessimist - from what I had to learn in my own past career  :-)
It's a public concert:
https://www.ticketino.com/de/Event/SWISS-ORCHESTRA-Tour-3-Schatzkammer-Schweizer-Sinfonik/98786

Don't be so down with yourself hadrianus, you've accomplished a lot.  :)

QuoteSo why did they do the campaign to raise funds??

It was just a thought, given the current Covid restrictions on orchestral performances. And I'm sure some recordings are made and then not released until public funding is secured.

To be honest all I care about is when I get the CD(download) in my grubby paws, hopefully soon. I'm always hankering for more Raff.

QuoteTo be honest all I care about is when I get the CD(download) in my grubby paws

My lips are sealed.  :(

Well, hopefully it won't be as long as Benedetto Marcello(18 years) SPOILER ALERT: I'm not going to be around.   :(

That's an absolutely risible - not to say entirely inappropriate - comment which demonstrates a complete misunderstanding of Sterling's modus operandi. Bo Hyttner has always sought to license and release archived recordings made by radio organisations, often made years, even decades ago. Frankly, we are extremely fortunate to have Benedetto Marcello on CD - and many other recordings of unsung music on the Sterling label.

You owe Mr Hyttner a full and sincere apology.

It's a joke - relax.

It was in extremely poor taste - and offensive.

What? Sterling , as far as I understand it only secured the rights last year. It was sitting in some radio archives somewhere until then for some + 15 years. I'm grateful for Sterling finally to bring it to release.

*blink* And with no attempt to understand cpo's difficulties we regularly get on -their- case, well, eh.

QuoteIt was sitting in some radio archives somewhere until then for some + 15 years

So, whose fault do you think it was that you were kept waiting for so long?

The issue with Benedetto Marcello was Sudwest Rundfunk's refusal to sell rights to use their recording - something they have every right to do, of course, even if it's frustrating for the likes of us. Eventually, and it took quite a few years, Bo ground them down and they agreed to sell Sterling the rights, provided the artists acquiesced, which they did after further delay. Only then was it possible to issue the recording commercially. Frankly, I think Bo deserves praise for his patience and tenacity.

I heartily agree. Thanks, Mark.

I'm not re-opening the issue of the lack of an English version of lokalhelden.ch, the crowd funding platform, but very helpfully Sharkkb8 contacted the site, raising the issue. He got this reply: "As our platform is only for projects which are realized in Switzerland we try first of all to cover most of the Swiss national languages which are German, Italian and French. But we are always interested in improving our platform. So maybe in the near future we will also have the option to switch to English." Thanks, Sharkkb8.

Now, back to the promised CD.

Quote from: eschiss1 on Wednesday 05 August 2020, 13:24
*blink* And with no attempt to understand cpo's difficulties we regularly get on -their- case, well, eh.

The crucial difference is that cpo usually is a partner in the recording, so there are no licensing issues to contend with.

Indeed. By contrast Sterling often engages in what we might call 'recording archaeology'...

Oh really? Could they be persuaded to become interested in historical recordings of unsung composers held in former Soviet archives (thinking particularly of Ukraine and Belarus, where they are presumably waiting for a good offer)?  I know this leads away from Swiss matters..

I doubt it. But why don't you contact Bo Hyttner yourself? Sterling's contact email is: sterling@mbox301.swipnet.se

I'm sure he won't be interested unless the recordings concerned are in decent, modern sound. You would also have to supply specific information about particular works, what recordings are available, etc. And, most importantly, you'd have to explain why certain works are worth licensing for release. In other words, the background spade work would be up to you...

I'm told that the recording sessions have been completed and it's disappointing to report that there was only time to record one of the Raff songs: Traumkönig und sein Lieb. Admittedly, this is a much more significant composition than the two Op.199 songs which were also planned. It's hoped that they will be recorded for a further CD of Swiss music, together with two further very short orchestral songs, previously unknown, which I unearthed a couple of years ago. As far as I know Eschmann's Overture and Walter's Symphony have also now been recorded.

I wonder when the recording might be released...

Quote from: Mark Thomas on Tuesday 01 September 2020, 19:15
I'm told that the recording sessions have been completed and it's disappointing to report that there was only time to record one of the Raff songs

Given that donors were handed this rare opportunity to be involved in a project involving Raff works, and for the orchestra to proceed in getting most of the program recorded in pandemic conditions, we are still grateful for them in honoring this commitment. Hopefully another crowd-fund will be organized for the next CD if not a public concert.

Quote from: Alan Howe on Tuesday 01 September 2020, 23:24
I wonder when the recording might be released...

I don't like to speculate, but I presume it will still be "Fall 2020" according to the fundraising page.

So far they've stuck to schedule and AFAIK the plan is for the CD to be available by the end of this year.

Thanks for the updates. An exciting prospect.

Yes...Thanks for the updates.

Just had the news that financing has been successful.

Excellent news!

Thanks Thomas, so have I. Good news.

I've just received an email confirming that "The discovery of unknown repertoire is an exciting challenge, but it also harbours surprises. So we had to decide in favour of the highest musical standards and the length of the compositions in the recording process, which cannot be precisely determined in advance, to concentrate our financial resources on two works" [excuse my translation]: Raff's orchestral song Traumkönig und sein Lieb and Walter's Symphony. Which means that in addition to Raff's two Op.199 songs which we already knew about, we've now lost Eschmann's Overture as well. "Length of the compositions" is hardly an issue as, unless incredibly slow tempi have been adopted, I doubt whether the two works will amount to much more than 50 minutes. It looks like the amount of rehearsal and recording time needed to record the CD was severely under-estimated - in my experience three days would be the minimum for a full CD of unfamiliar orchestral repertoire. This is a shoddy way to treat those of us who stumped up to crowd fund this project and I shall think very seriously about supporting future projects planned by the Swiss Orchestra, even if they include (as promised) more Raff recording premieres.

I agree, Mark. Given in all the recordings I have done the companies concerned have aimed at doing enough takes for 15 minutes of final music (unfamiliar or not) per session (3 hours with a 20 minute break), so the allocation of studio time ought to have been at least 5 x 3 hour sessions (2 and a half days). How much did they allow?

Someone told me it was two days, but my information is second hand as this isn't a project I've been involved with other than to contribute to the crowd funding, something which I now regret.

Do we have a release date?

Found a couple cool videos featuring the orchestra:

The first is Chappuis conducting both Cavatina from Six Morceaux for violin and piano op. 85, no. 3 and Die Jägerbraut» from «Zwei Scenen für eine Singstimme mit Begleitung des Orchesters op. 199 . Both were performed outside Raff's birthplace in Lachen, Switzerland.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JjBYZLxp1KA (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JjBYZLxp1KA)

The second features footage from the recording session for Raff's «Traumkönig und sein Lieb» op. 66.

https://vimeo.com/478401140 (https://vimeo.com/478401140)

QuoteDo we have a release date?

"Very soon", apparently.

Quote from: Mark Thomas on Thursday 05 November 2020, 07:47
Which means that in addition to Raff's two Op.199 songs which we already knew about, we've now lost Eschmann's Overture as well.

The Eschmann Overture has been rescheduled to four concerts from June 6th to June 13th, 2021.

https://swissorchestra.ch/en/swiss-symphony-in-focus/ (https://swissorchestra.ch/en/swiss-symphony-in-focus/)

The two Op. 199 songs have been rescheduled to four concerts from August 27th to October 16th, 2021.

https://swissorchestra.ch/en/the-swiss-symphonic-treasury/ (https://swissorchestra.ch/en/the-swiss-symphonic-treasury/)

Despite the length of the CD, I shall definitely buy it , once jpc etc advertise it

Dear Friends,

For some reasons we didn't have enough time to record what we were supposed to... and decided to prioritize quality over quantity.
The CD will arrive next week in Switzerland so I think it'll be soon available.
Please check Schweizerfonogramm.com in a few days.
Fred.

Thank you, Fred! You guys are doing great work. Your Lauber record is excellent, and I am looking forward to this new release.

Here is the website: https://www.schweizerfonogramm.com/en/ (https://www.schweizerfonogramm.com/en/)

I am glad the Walter symphony is receiving a commercial recording :)

Album now available for sale from the label's website. Details have now been posted, along with audio excerpts.

https://www.schweizerfonogramm.com/en/cd/the-treasure-chamber-of-swiss-symphonic-music/ (https://www.schweizerfonogramm.com/en/cd/the-treasure-chamber-of-swiss-symphonic-music/)

Unfortunately, the website isn't working properly: all I get is the error message 'invalid payment method', whether I choose PayPal or just a straightforward credit card payment. Very annoying!

It also took three attempts to send a message about this via their contact page!

Anyway, I'll report back...

I also had similar problems with the payment on the website earlier this morning - however, I have just successfully completed my order at the fourth attempt, and have received the relevant acknowledgement! Now all I have to do is sit back and wait......

As the label is the same as in case of the Lauber symphonies, I would expect the CD to be available via jpc sooner or later.

My order has now been processed successfully as well.

And here's the booklet:
https://www.schweizerfonogramm.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/20_11_SFG_Wuestendoerfer_booklet-def.pdf

Album is now streaming, and also available for digital download purchase:

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B08PFXC4HB/ref=sr_1_1?dchild=1&keywords=Swiss+Orchestra+%26+Lena-Lisa+Wüstendörfer&qid=1606971469&sr=8-1 (https://www.amazon.com/dp/B08PFXC4HB/ref=sr_1_1?dchild=1&keywords=Swiss+Orchestra+%26+Lena-Lisa+W%C3%BCstend%C3%B6rfer&qid=1606971469&sr=8-1)

This appears to be an enterprising new label. Perhaps they might consider doing a modern recording of the second symphony of Schnyder von Wartensee, which I have on an ancient LP

I believe that they have quite enterprising plans for a series of recordings of works by Swiss composers, but focusing on previously unrecorded pieces. Maybe adcsound can tell us more? The recording is also now available on Spotify, by the way.

First impressions of these two works are very positive: the Walter fulfils the promise of Reverie's pioneering digital realisation as a fine, big-boned Beethovenian symphony which maintains interest throughout its 40-odd minutes and is given an appropriately red-blooded performance which belies the comparatively modest size of the Swiss Orchestra. Walter was actually German, not Swiss (though he spent most of his later life there), and this is a Viennese symphony - comparisons with the contemporaneous symphonies of Franz Lachner might be interesting. Raff's orchestral song is unexpectedly lush - somehow I was expecting the vocal equivalent of the single-movement concert pieces Ode au printemps and La Fée d'amour of the same vintage, but no, Traumkönig und sein Lieb has an almost Straussian glow to it which perfectly underpins the radiant vocal line. A very welcome surprise. The short playing time of the CD still rankles, though.   

Is there an English translation for the text of Traumkönig und sein Lieb?

Lieder.net has this text of Horatio Parker's setting in English (Dreamking and his love, Op.31) of the same Geibel poem, which may be approximately the same? Lieder.net (https://www.lieder.net/lieder/get_text.html?TextId=44014)

Yes, I saw that. I am sometimes wary about those translations which can lose some of the original meaning just so they can rhyme in English.

Just to clarify my earlier post.  I wasn´t referring to Schnyder´s so-called Military Symphony, splendidly recorded on a Sterling CD, but the Zweite Sinfonie in c-moll     (Erinnerung an Joseph Haydn) ,in which the Austrian hymn is mellifluosly interwoven.  That fine work has never been recorded on CD, although I have it on a 1970 Ex Libris (EL 16 629) LP with the Frankfurt Radio Symphony Orchestra conducted by Rato Tschupp.  Somewhat surprisingly, this LP does not feature in Mike Herman´s magnificent discography.  I played it again a few weeks ago and wished I had the German to understand the sleeve-notes. Schnyder´s portrait looms out of the front cover, looking somewhat like a selfsatisfied Herbert Lom. Putting Raff to one side, I think that Schnyder is the foremost Swiss nineteenth century composer and this invigorating new label  might want to consider placing this work finally on CD.

QuotePutting Raff to one side, I think that Schnyder is the foremost Swiss nineteenth century composer

Raff may have been born in Switzerland, but he was at best only half-Swiss (from his mother), and from birth was a citizen of his father's country - Württemberg (later the German Empire) - as he inherited his father's citizenship. That said, my guess is that we wouldn't have at least a third of the CDs we do have of Raff's music, if the Swiss nowadays didn't count him as one of their own.

Here's a video (https://vimeo.com/478401140) about the recording, featuring a lot of the Raff and, at the end, a few seconds of the Walter.

Quote from: Mark Thomas on Thursday 03 December 2020, 14:14
I believe that they have quite enterprising plans for a series of recordings of works by Swiss composers, but focusing on previously unrecorded pieces. Maybe adcsound can tell us more? The recording is also now available on Spotify, by the way.

I work mainly - but not exclusively - for this label so I know what is planned.
It is not swiss focused (we did some Mahler pocket version symphonies and shall record the 5th next July).
We already did the takes last September for Leimer 3rd concerto (left hand) and Strauss "Panathenäenzug" (also Left hand) Berner Symphonieorchester / Gilles Vonsattel / Mario Venzago.
I shall edit next February. (Pictures on my website http://www.adcsound.ch/fr/actualites-2 (http://www.adcsound.ch/fr/actualites-2) if you scroll down to Septembre 2020).

For this season, the swiss symphonic productions are:
Lauber vol2 with sympho 3&6 and maybe "Die Alpen"  in 2 weeks - Biel Sinfonieorchester / Kaspar Zehnder.
Lauber vol3 with sympho 4&5 and maybe "chant du soir" next August - Biel Sinfonieorchester / Kaspar Zehnder.
Dieter Ammann with 4 symphonic pieces next August - Orchestre de la Suisse romande / Jonathan Nott

The label has a big swiss project for (1822>1882) 2022 but I can't say more right now as it's not yet sure...

I wish you all a nice weekend, Fred.

From all of this news, I am happy for the Swiss to claim Raff as their own for ever and a day

QuoteThe label has a big swiss project for (1822>1882) 2022

Raff, evidently...

Yes, that prospect definitely brings a smile to the face. I do hope that what's planned doesn't involve too much duplication of existing recordings - I've heard rumours of an upcoming CD of Raff's music for cello and piano, mirroring an already more than adequate, modern Toccata CD. There's still plenty of unrecorded Raff to savour.

My copy of the CD arrived today - they've certainly moved quickly.

Here's hoping my copy'll follow...

It's now listed at jpc:
https://www.jpc.de/jpcng/classic/detail/-/art/august-walter-symphonie-es-dur-op-9/hnum/10392556

no sound samples, though...

You want samples? Simples!>>
https://www.schweizerfonogramm.com/en/cd/the-treasure-chamber-of-swiss-symphonic-music/

(https://brooksandkirk.co.uk/assessor/wp-content/uploads/2017/05/simples.jpeg)

when the hounds are barking , we know we're in the saddle :)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Hl545RF6dXA

The Raff Lied for soprano and orchestra is a distinct pleasure - and an indication of the Wagnerian direction his vocal/orchestral writing was taking at this stage in his career. The sleevenote suggests Lohengrin as a possible influence and one can hear why.

Yes, Wagner's influence is very clear and fits in perfectly with the fact that in the same year as Raff composed Traumkönig (1854) he published Die Wagnerfrage, an analysis of Lohengrin, and in the previous year he had written six piano works and three pieces for violin and piano based on themes from Wagner operas. It was the high point of Wagner's influence on him, which within a year or so turned to antipathy once he understood the direction in which Wagner's music was developing. He even went so far as to plan in 1856 a large scale dramatic opera as a "counterweight" to Wagner's embryonic Ring. It was still a project in 1858, but came to nothing.

There's now a review up from Mr Woolf at MusicWeb (http://www.musicweb-international.com/classrev/2021/Mar/Walter-sy-SF.htm).

Quote from: eschiss1 on Thursday 25 March 2021, 12:18
There's now a review up from Mr Woolf at MusicWeb (http://www.musicweb-international.com/classrev/2021/Mar/Walter-sy-SF.htm).

Mr. Adriano gets a flattering shout-out!

The conductor of this album, Lena-Lisa Wüstendörfer, will be leading concert operations at the Andermatt Music Hall in Switzerland starting in 2022. With the Swiss Orchestra, she will have three program levels of concerts for at least five years, including unsung Swiss symphonic pieces.

My guess is that this lines up with Raff's 200th birthday.

https://www.andermatt-swissalps.ch/de/news/swiss-orchestra-neu-residenzorchester-der-andermatt-konzerthalle?fbclid=IwAR0IgGiCT6d2WOG5aAo8H3pzbp_WqXMiRbyeJXLsWIdxPJOQuaMezsyOHqE (https://www.andermatt-swissalps.ch/de/news/swiss-orchestra-neu-residenzorchester-der-andermatt-konzerthalle?fbclid=IwAR0IgGiCT6d2WOG5aAo8H3pzbp_WqXMiRbyeJXLsWIdxPJOQuaMezsyOHqE)