Raff - Piano Concerto in C minor, Op. 185 - Part 1/3

[RollaArtis]

A forgotten composer indeed - I recently walked past Victoria Hall in Geneva (built C.1890) and noted that the facade is inscribed with legendary composers such as Mozart Beethoven Liszt Wagner alongside Cherubini, Balfe (?) and also Raff. I dare say the music by these last two were extremely popular at the time and were regarded as major figures but it's surprising how reputations fade. To me much of Raff's music seems highly forgettable, but maybe he did compose something really interesting?

[bboydaduke]

The coda starting at 9:42 reminds me of Schumann's piano concerto in structure, the music has a very steady rhythm that builds in intensity until the soloist plays fortissimo octaves.

Very romantic!

[HURLEYP]

Another very pleasant work he wrote, in the same style as this, is "Ode to Spring" - Piano & Orchestra - more like a concert piece.

[gerardbedecarter]

thanks for uploading this interesting concerto!

[Clivejvaughan]

Very pleased to have found yet another composer of attractive, easily listenable works to improve my musical education. Thank you (and for the extensive bio. !).

[Balancement]

@Clivejvaughan

Although more well known as a composer, you should try and track down a good recording of the original and uncut version of Tchaikovsky's 2nd Piano Concerto in G Major. Far better than his famous First PC, it's rarely performed or recorded and one of the best pieces Tchaikovsky ever wrote. Just make sure you get the *original* version as Tchaikovsky wrote it and not with the awful Ziloti cuts and you'll discover a brilliant, revelatory, and amazing work!

[uhartchristian]

nice , pleasant, well done by someone who knows how to compose. but inspired as the concertos of chopin or Liszt , I don t think so.

reminds me of less known russian composers of this period who are also more or less forgotten.

but anyway thanks for sharing, it is always interesting to hear something "new"

[radioplug14]

Raff is an interesting person for me. He was very popular when he lived, but is rarely studied today. In my opinion, he was a better pedagogue of composition as he taught Edward MacDowell. But that is personal preference. This piano concerto is "ok." It's tough to compare with the other great Romantic piano concertos (Grieg, Rach, Chopin, etc)

[Kreisleriana80]

This piano concerto is amazing, very romantic! I would love to play it someday! Is it difficult to find the sheet music? Thanks for uploading such an interesting music!

[Dogsledfan]

The concerto is reproduced in its entirety at the IMSLP website. Personally, I believe this is one of the BEST PC's written in the Romantic era. We've become so "brainwashed" by the mere handful of concertos that everyone plays that we forget about such as these )-:

[CodyNelsonMusic]

The orchestra got it perfect, there were a few parts where the pianist could have done better, but all in all I give 9/10!

I'm very impressed.

[HURLEYP]

Raff also wrote a delightful little number called "Ode to Spring". Very similar in attitude to this..it just sweeps along - a rollicking good romp.

[zirianos]

A Really wonderful work. I'm surprised.

[danielemanuelb]

because a lot of musicians don't care, and a lot of managers don't dare!

[Grigor99]

Liszt could sight read the Hammerklavier!

[marcparella]

Come on this is not top-shelf stuff. It sounds exactly what you would expect for a novice. Compare this to the underperformed Dvorak G minor -- simple and direct.

[Sinfoniette]

Marc; it is still a good piece to listen to; maybe it deserves the position it is in right now, but I don't think a concerto is bad music if it is simple and direct.

[FiDiTanzer528]

This was very nice to hear. I've heard a couple of his symphonies, especially the "Forest" but no concertos. I must hear the "Lenore" symphony. The work by Liszt based on "Lenore" is a melodrama (spoken text with piano). Fischer-Dieskau included it on his CD set of Melodramen. Most interesting!

[tHEnOOSEsWING]

I would have walked water to hear Franz Liszt play. What fascinating and also refreshing piano music and the orchestration is broadly based with many light tones and incisive boardering: decorative tonal colour. This is my first exposure to Joseph Raff, and thank you Amy for another beautiful set.

[Sinfoniette]

I would swim the seven oceans (ok, maybe I won't) to hear Liszt's Hammerklavier performance!