Joachim Raff - Choral Works a capella (Basler Madrigalisten)

Information

Composer: Joachim Raff

• 10 Gesänge für gemischten Chor, Op. 198
• 4 Marian Antiphones, WoO. 27
• Ave Maria, WoO. 33
• Kyrie und Gloria, WoO. 31
• Pater noster, WoO. 32

Basler Madrigalisten

Raphael Immoos, conductor

Date: 2022

Label: Capriccio

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Review

With barely 60 minutes, Joachim Raff’s choral music a capella fits comfortably on one CD. With secular and sacred pieces, the program is varied.

Joseph Joachim Raff (1822-1882) was born in Lachen, Switzerland. Musically, he was largely self-taught. Musician friendships connected him with Hans von Bülow, Joseph Joachim, Franz Liszt and Felix Mendelssohn. His extensive output includes more than 300 compositions, including 11 symphonies, 6 operas, several solo concertos, chamber music and also, to a more modest extent, choral music. The first compositions of this genre had impressed Liszt, who believed Raffe had the potential for a composer of sacred music. But the latter did not follow his mentor with much enthusiasm. The critical Christian was not particularly interested in religion. But then, while rediscovering the catholic faith, he nevertheless took a liking to the idea and composed large choral works with orchestra and also the sacred pieces that can be heard on this CD, but which are preceded by the cycle of Zehn Gesänge. These are sung by the Basel Madrigalists very finely and lively, without pathos. And if the human voice and the manifold possibilities of the choir spurred Raff’s imagination very much, the Basler do justice to the extraordinary richness of color and the various moods of the songs very well.

The extent to which Raff exploited the entire choral sound spectrum in a differentiated manner is also shown by the sacred works, which are sung by the Basel choir very sensitively, but without incense. They hit the simple character of the works without neglecting their hymnal upswing or, where necessary, the spiritualized, divine expression. Technically, the choir sings at a very high level, lean, with suppleness and the best possible balance.

— Remy Franck

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Joachim Raff (27 May 1822 —  24 or 25 June 1882) was a German composer and teacher who was greatly celebrated in his lifetime but nearly forgotten by the late 20th century. Initially a self-taught musician, he was influenced by Mendelssohn and Schumann before aligning with Liszt and Wagner's "New German School". He served as Liszt's assistant in Weimar and later taught piano in Wiesbaden. From 1877, he directed the Hoch Conservatory in Frankfurt. A prolific composer, Raff wrote 11 symphonies, concertos, operas, choral, chamber and piano music. Many of these works are now commercially recorded.

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The Basler Madrigalisten is a Swiss vocal ensemble. Founded in 1978 by Fritz Näf at the Schola Cantorum Basiliensis, the group has been led by Raphael Immoos since 2013. They specialize in both early and contemporary music, often commissioning new works and reviving forgotten pieces, usually centered around thematic programs. The ensemble has performed worldwide, including prestigious festivals and venues like the Sydney Opera House. Their activities also include stage performances, recordings, and broadcasts. They have received multiple awards, notably for contemporary music and outstanding recordings.

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