Joachim Raff - Piano Works Vol. 6 (Tra Nguyen)

Information

Composer: Joachim Raff

• Erinnerung an Venedig, Op. 187
• Barcarolle, Op. 143
• 6 Poemes, Op. 15
• Fantaisie, Op. 142
• 2 Pieces, Op. 169

Tra Nguyen, piano

Date: 2015

Label: Grand Piano

-----------------------------------------------------------

Review

The sixth and final volume in this survey of the music by the Swiss-born composer, Joachim Raff, most of the contents receiving their world premiere recordings. Having lived his early life in poverty, much of that period being spent in the Liszt household acting as the distinguished composer’s amanuensis. Then came a remarkable change in fortune, his symphonic output by the time of his death being in many quarters enjoyed in preference to Beethoven. In his considerable output for the keyboard, the obvious influence of Chopin and Mendelssohn at times resulted in works that are readily likeable. As this disc shows, he was happiest in a quiet and uneventful world, his few moments of drama seemingly superimposed. We gently flow along the waterways of Venice in the six sections of Erinnerung an Venedig, a series of holiday snapshots ending in a jovial dance. Barcarolle is in a similar mode, its seven minutes of amiable note-spinning spent in search of a memorable melody. Fantaisie, also from the same period, has more substance, and there is a likeable melody buried under a profusion of notes that require much dexterity in the fingers of the performer. Turning to the Six Poemes, written while still young—and scrutinised by Liszt—and we have works very worthy of preserving. There are many differing moods, the passion of the opening poem driving the work forward as we pass through a vivacious scherzo, a Swiss song, and arriving finally at a dazzlingly fast Presto. Throughout the series the British-Vietnamese pianist, Tra Nguyen, has shown her obvious enjoyment and affection for the composer, and we thank her for her many enjoyable discoveries.

— David Denton

-----------------------------------------------------------

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.

***

Tra Nguyen (born 1973 in Hanoi) is a distinguished Vietnamese pianist. Trained at the Moscow Conservatory with Lev Naumov and later at the Royal Academy of Music with Christopher Elton, she has since performed at major venues worldwide, including Wigmore Hall and Tokyo Opera City. Nguyen explores both core and lesser-known repertoire, recently tackling Schubert's complete sonatas and Liszt's Grandes études. Her acclaimed recordings, including world premieres and a Joachim Raff series, have earned international praise. She is also an accomplished chamber musician, collaborating with top artists.

-----------------------------------------------------------