JOACHIM RAFF : Symphony No.3 "In The Forest" · Symphony No.10 "In Autumn" (Slovak State Philharmonic Orchestra (Košice) · Urs Schneider) (1990) Two Version | FLAC (image+.tracks+.cue), lossless

The third of Raff’s eleven symphonies, which bears the title Im Walde (“In the Forest”), was written in 1869 and won its composer considerable success. In Wiesbaden, where he had settled after leaving Weimar, he was eventually free of immediate material worries and could devote himself largely to his work as a composer. The Wald-Symphonie was one of the most significant results of this period of his life and was regarded for long as his masterpiece. The work is in four movements, included in three parts. The first part, Am Tage (“By Day”), like the Tenth Symphony, gives impressions and feelings aroused by the forest. The second part, which includes a slow movement and the counterpart of a Scherzo, moves to evening twilight, In der Dämmerung, with Träumerei (“Dreams”) and a following Tanz der Dryaden (“Dance of the Dryads”), in the spirit of Mendelssohn. The third part, Nachts (“At Night”), has a more explicit programme. The stillness of the night is followed by the wild hunt of Teutonic mythology, led by Wotan (“Odin”) and the wintry Frau Holle. Dawn breaks and the symphony ends in triumph.

The tenth of the symphonies, Zur Herbstzeit (“In Autumn”), was written in 1879, after Raff’s removal to Frankfurt and at a time when he was occupied with a number of larger scale works. Following tradition in its structure, the symphony declares its programme in its general title and in the descriptive titles of the movements. It forms one of a final group of symphonies depicting the four seasons of the year, No. 8, Frühlingsklänge (“Sounds of Spring”); No. 9, Im Sommer (“In Summer”), the present work, and his last symphony, No. 11, Der Winter (“Winter”). The first movement of Symphony No. 10 sets the mood, with its evocation of a season of mists and mellow fruitfulness. Phantom drums and double basses introduce the ghostly dance of the second movement, a mysterious waltz dispelled momentarily by a chorale. There follows a sustained elegy for the passing year and a final seasonal hunt, appropriately introduced, but allowing occasional rest from the chase. Keith Anderson

Joachim Raff (1822-1882)
1-4. Symphony #10 in F Minor, Opus 213 "Zur Herbstzeit"
5-8. Symphony #3 In F Major, Opus 153 "Im Walde
Credits :
Orchestra : Slovak State Philharmonic Orchestra, Košice
Conductor – Urs Schneider
Painting – Ferdinand Hodler