Joachim Raff - Piano Trios Nos. 1 & 4 (Trio Opus 8)

Information

Composer: Joachim Raff

• Piano Trio No. 1 in C minor, Op. 102
• Piano Trio No. 4 in D major, Op. 158

Trio Opus 8

    Eckhard Fischer, violin

    Mario de Secondi, cello

    Michael Hauber, piano

Date: 1999

Label: CPO

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Review

Joachim Raff’s (1822-82) First and Fourth trios exhibit many of the same qualities found on the previous CPO disc of Nos. 2 & 3, reviewed earlier. A consummate craftsman, Raff paid particular attention to such things as motivic and rhythmic development and careful part-writing, which, combined with a flair for expressing genuine emotion, give his chamber works a distinctive sound and compelling character. This is especially evident in Trio No. 1 (1861), the most popular of the four and one of two in the minor mode. A grim introduction soon leads to a roiling, passionate allegro. Next, a galloping scherzo seems to be taking the first movement material out for a night-ride, while the following langsam movement is a song-like rhapsody that once again displays Raff’s talent for melodies that speak from the heart. The finale closes the work in a demonically Beethovenian vein, with some dance music thrown in for good measure.

Trio No. 4 (1870) launches in a challengingly fast 12/8 meter, creating an effect not unlike Schubert’s Trout Quintet. Most interesting however is the Andante quasi larghetto, with its mournful Venetian Gondola Song first heard on the solo cello. From this opening Raff builds an Elegy of considerable expressive power before closing with a reprise of the plaintive melody. After this exquisite movement, the material of the robust finale seems rather prosaic, and it takes all the energy, imagination, and commitment Trio Opus 8 can muster to hold your interest. That they do is testament to the superlative talent of these three fine musicians, who shine in the remaining movements of both trios as well. As before, CPO’s recording is close in perspective but manages to capture more bass information this time around. Both discs in this series are excellent, but this one is the top choice.

— Victor Carr Jr

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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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Trio Opus 8, founded in 1986, quickly gained recognition by winning prizes in Colmar, Trieste and Florence. The group's name honors notable piano trios composed as Opus 8 by composers such as Brahms, Chopin, Pfitzner and Shostakovich. The trio has received numerous prestigious awards, including the Felix Mendelssohn-Bartholdy Prize in Berlin and a gold medal the Festival de Jeunes Solistes in Bordeaux. Performing globally and at major festivals, they have collaborated with prominent musicians and recorded extensively for radio, television, and labels such as Tacet, CPO, Arte Nova, NEOS and Profil.

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