Search - Raff, Albert, Philharmonia Hungarica :: Raff: Symphony 7 / Jubel Overture

Raff and the Alps at their peak!

Robert Thomas | Los Angeles, CA | 05/31/2006

(5 out of 5 stars)

"After a successful 6th, this symphony was not well received by the public.

Not sure why, because against the rest of Raff's stunning symphonic output, it holds up quite well.

One reason could be the unusual first movement, which deviates from the normal sonata allegro form used by Raff in previous symphonies. His use of an extended introduction, as well as a second development section which employs the main theme in a brilliant contrapuntal passage make this movement hard to grasp on a first hearing.

One reviewer claims that this is the least successful movement of the symphony.

I disagree. After several hearings, this 1st movement reveals itself as a masterpiece unto itself, and makes for very enjoyable listening.

As for the rest of the symphony, it seems Raff can do no wrong.

A lively 2nd movement gives way to a deeply heartfelt Larghetto 3rd followed by a catchy 4th which brings back elements of the 1st movement.

What a world unto itself this symphony is!

Buy it. Enjoy it. Get lost in it!

Oh, and as for the Jubel Overture, it's ok, but after the main course, who really cares?

Highest Recommendation."

Crown Jewel of Raff's Symphonic Series

Joseph Barbarie | new haven, CT | 11/28/2007

(4 out of 5 stars)

"Ignore the disparaging treatment of this disc by one of the other reviewers here, who seems to have gone deaf with age (to judge from his reference to Charles Ives by the familiar "Charlie"). This is the chef d'ouevre of Raff's symphonic efforts.



The playing (and sound engineering) on this disc is also far superior to the other release of Raff symphonies by this ensemble, a double album containing symphonies 8 - 11. I am a loss to explain such a disparity in playing, other than perhaps to suggest that the material here is so much more inspired that the performers were commensurately moved by it. In all four movements, you have thematic material and orchestration of an originality and power which at times approaches that of Tchaikovsky.



Raff's little formal deviations and idiosyncracies do not appear at the surface level -- they are subtle enough to go unnoticed. This is one of the chief difficulties of Raff's art; it is not a hand-waving, self-promoting sort of animal. Rather, it goes its steady way, ignoring passing crazes of expression and form. For instance, Raff, although a master of orchestral color (he helped Liszt in this regard) typically made do with rather conservative forces in his symphonies.



In this work, Raff's originality is most evident in the strange "walking" scherzo (which apparently confused audiences of Raff's time, as well), or the opening of the fourth movement, in which fragments of what is eventually to become the primary thematic material shuttle about before coagulating into place.



The second piece on this release, "Jubel Overture", is not on a par with the symphony. Nevertheless, despite the carping of our deaf friend of Ives mentioned above, it is not "boring" or "uninspired". It is, at the very least, far superior to anything in Ives's catalogue. In sum, this is a well-composed concert overture, tastefully done, in accord with Raff's typical usage."