JOACHIM RAFF : Symphonies Nos. 4 And 11 "Der Winter" (Slovak State Philharmonic Orchestra (Košice) · Urs Schneider) (1993) Two Version | FLAC (image+.tracks+.cue), lossless

The last of Raff’s symphonies, No. 11 in A minor, Der Winter, was left unfinished at the time of his death, and was later prepared for publication by Max Erdmannsdörfer. The symphony is scored for an orchestra of pairs of flutes, oboes, clarinets and bassoons, with four horns, two trumpets, three trombones, timpani, triangle and strings. The first movement suggests, in accordance with its programmatic title Der erste Schnee, “The First Snow”, the cold of winter, the delight that snow can bring, as well as its harsher aspect, with hints at times of Russian temperatures. A folk-song-like melody opens the A major second movement. The storms of winter intervene, only partly dispelled by the first appearance of the trumpets. The F major slow movement is spent, very properly, at the fireside, as the plucked strings accompany a melody played by the bassoon, soon joined by horn, then oboe and clarinet, as the music swells. The last movement Karneval opens in a firm A major, a call to celebration, followed by a contrapuntal start to the movement proper, the double basses answered by cellos, violas and second violins in turn, before the entry of the woodwind and music that, as it unfolds, brings a lively procession of characters in cheerful celebration. Keith Anderson

Joachim Raff (1822-1882)
1-4. Symphony No. 4 In G Minor, Op. 167
5-8.Symphony No. 11 In A Minor, Op. 214 "Der Winter"
Credits :
Orchestra : Slovak State Philharmonic Orchestra, Košice
Conductor – Urs Schneider
Painting – Ferdinand Hodler