Raff: Symphony No. 2/Four Shakespeare Preludes Orchestral & Concertos CHANDOS SACD

Raff: Symphony No. 2/Four Shakespeare Preludes

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CHSA 5117

Raff: Symphony No. 2/Four Shakespeare Preludes

Running Time: 76:59

CD UPC: 0095115511725

Release Date: February 2013
Originally recorded in 2012

Composer (1822-1882)
Joachim Raff

Orchestra
Suisse Romande Orchestra

Conductor
Neeme Järvi

Venue
Victoria Hall, Geneva, Switzerland

Producer
Brian Pidgeon

Engineer
Ralph Couzens

Genre:
Orchestral & Concertos

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JOACHIM RAFF

(1822-1882)

Symphony No. 2, Op. 140 (1866)

33:41

in C major - in C-Dur - en ut majeur

for Large Orchestra

Herzog Ernst zu Sachsen-Coburg- Gotha gewidmet

Allegro

12:32

Andante con moto

7:21

III

Allegro vivace - Trio

5:28

Andante maestoso - Allegro con spirito - Più mosso

8:06

Orchestral Prelude to Shakespeare's 'The Tempest', WoO 49 (1879)

14:10

in G minor - in g-Moll - en sol mineur

for Large Orchestra

Con moto - Poco meno moto, maestoso, marcato e deciso assai

Orchestral Prelude to Shakespeare's 'Macbeth', WoO 50 (1879)

11:22

in C minor - in c-Moll - en ut mineur

for Large Orchestra

Con moto - (L'istesso tempo) - Poco più mosso - Tempo I - Allegro guerriero - Meno mosso - Maestoso

Orchestral Prelude to Shakespeare's 'Romeo and Juliet', WoO 51 (1879)

9:46

in D major - in D-Dur - en ré majeur

for Large Orchestra

Allegro - Poco meno mosso - Tempo I - Meno mosso - Poco agitato - Tempo I (Allegro) - Meno mosso - Maestoso

Orchestral Prelude to Shakespeare's 'Othello', WoO 52 (1879)

8:14

in D major - in D-Dur - en ré majeur

for Large Orchestra

Con moto - Più mosso

77:47

Orchestra: Suisse Romande Orchestra

Conductor: Neeme Järvi

25-27 June 2012

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Reviews

“Raff’s post-Mendelssohnian lyric charm is offset by individuality in delicate orchestration and unexpected harmonies. Peerless performances from Järvi and his Swiss orchestra.” *****

David Nice – BBC Music magazine (Brief Notes Section) – September 2013

"...Chandos’s SACD sound serves the music well with sweet instrumental texture, good orchestral balance, and no trace of digital harshness or objectionable spotlighting of individual instruments. If you would enjoy a collection of pleasant but minor romantic music, don’t hesitate to acquire this well-executed recording.”

David Nice – BBC Music magazine (Brief Notes Section) – September 2013

“... Once again Neeme Jarvi shows he knows just what this music is about , and he gets excellent playing from his men This well-filled and sonorously recorded repast makes an excellent first instalment in Jarvi’s Raff cycle.”

Steven J Haller – American Record Guide – May/June 2013

"This is a simply terrific in every respect I was staggered by the excellence of the sound quality on this SACD. The orchestral image is both wide and deep – enhanced by the fine acoustic of the Victoria Hall, Geneva - and one is immediately aware of the pin-point accuracy with regard to the positions of individual instruments. Authoritative notes by Dr. Avrohom Leichtling complete this most recommendable issue."

Graham Williams - CD Choice.co.uk - 22 March 2013

“... Neeme Järvi and his Suisse Romande players seem to be hving a whale of a time, or at least that’s the impression that these extremely vital performances suggest a perfect place to dip a toe into Raffian waters.”

Rob Cowan – Gramophone magazine – April 2013

"...Raff’s music virtually disappeared after his death – saving his little Cavatina lollipop – and has only recently been rediscovered. This account of his Second Symphony, reckoned by many to be his finest can only help that process. Jarvi’s approach is pacey, the playing of the orchestra top drawer and the Chandos recording pin sharp. Filling the disc are Raff’s four Shakespeare Preludes from towards the end of his life and the colourful Macbeth that should surely find a home in Scottish concert halls ..."

Rob Cowan – Gramophone magazine – April 2013

“...Raff’s Second [Symphony] expertly scored and effortlessly fluent Järvi’s fleet performance avoids portentousness The Four Shakespeare Preludes were composed in 1879, when Raff’s style had become more concise and his orchestration even more imaginative; these pieces are based upon The Tempest, Macbeth, Romeo and Juliet and Othello respectively are brilliant showpieces” ***

Andrew Clements – The Guardian – 22 February 2013

Performance ***** Sonics *****

“This is a simply terrific release in every respect This is the sort of neglected repertoire on which the ever-questing Neeme Järvi thrives, and his performance of the symphony is both lively and affectionate. The Orchestra de la Suisse Romande play with great style and freshness for their new Artistic Director, and communicate a real sense of enjoyment to the listener Used as one is to the very fine sound quality from Chandos, I was staggered by the excellence of the sound quality on this SACD. The orchestral image is both wide and deep one is immediately aware of the pin-point accuracy with regard to the position of individual instruments”

Graham Williams – SA-CD.net – 8 February 2013

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