Raff: Symphony No. 2 / Macbeth / Romeo And Juliet

Urs Schneider (Artist), Joseph Joachim Raff (Composer), Urs Peter Schneider (Conductor), Slovak State Philharmonic Orchestra Kosice (Orchestra) | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Orchestra: Slovak State Philharmonic Orchestra Kosice
• Conductor: Urs Peter Schneider
• Composer: Joseph Joachim Raff
• Audio CD (July 27, 2009)
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Marco-Polo
• ASIN: B00000461V
• In-Print Editions: MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (1 customer review)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #222,816 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A gem among giants., June 2, 2006

By 

Robert Thomas "thomastoons" (Los Angeles, CA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Raff: Symphony No. 2 / Macbeth / Romeo And Juliet (Audio CD)

Sandwiched between Raff's monumental 1st, 3rd, and 5th symphonies, we find 2 works which are much shorter in length, scope and vision.
Symphonies 2 and 4 are, however, no less enjoyable than their towering neighbors.
Of Raff's 11 outings in the symphonic genre, numbers 2 and 4 are unique in the fact that they are the only 2 without an accompanying title. They are also similar in the fact that the influence of Beethoven can be keenly felt throughout. It's almost as if they are in a sense Raff's homage to the great master.
And what an homage they are!
Don't get me wrong, the writing is unmistakably Raffian through and through, but Raff makes no bones about the fact that Beethoven was a major influence. In fact, the opening of the final movement of symphony 4 has a DIRECT QUOTATION from the choral movement of Beethovens 9th. It is not meant to be hidden, and is guaranteed to bring a smile to your face.
Now, as for this recording of Symphony 2, there is much to love.
Chalk full of dynamite melodic and thematic material, every movement is an absolute winner. No favorites here, and that is a rare statement for me.
The 2 overtures on this disk are very good, but to be honest, I'd rather stick with the main course.
A stunning, brilliant performance, excellent recording quality and equally good liner notes earn this CD my highest recommendation.
Enjoy.
PS-Don't lend it to a friend. You may never get it back.