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FERNANDO OLIVA   05/6/2003	Subject: SYMPHONIES 8 & 9 + "IL TRITTICO" Message: Dear Friends, I purchased two interesting Raff´s CD´s: -Symphonies 8 & 9 (MARCO POLO/Schneider/Czecho-Slovak Phil.) -Complete Piano Trios (ARTE NOVA/"Il Trittico"). I´m very busy this week, but I´ll listen both next week-end. I appreciate your expert opinions about those works. Thanks in advance, Best regards from Barcelona, Fernando.
John Boyer   05/6/2003	RE: SYMPHONIES 8 & 9 + "IL TRITTICO" IP: Logged Message: I think you will find both symphonies very rewarding. The Ninth is my probably my favorite of all Raff's symphonies (though others are such close seconds as to constitute a three or four-way tie). I especially like the atmospheric beginning on the divided strings; the characteristically Raffian main theme; the trio of the scherzo, which anticpates (for me anyway) Mario Nascimbene's score for "The Vikings"; and the vigorous, exciting finale (unfortunately cut in both available recordings). The Eighth was a 19th century favorite, along with the Third and Fifth. Historically it is third most popular symphony and was once often played. It has much to offer, not the least of which is the very effective scoring. I hope you enjoy the rest of the trios. The opinions expressed on this site favor the Op. 8 performances, but Luis de Orueta likes Il Trittico too. Alas, according to Luis, Il Trittico is least sharp in the Second Trio, which is my favorite of the four. In any case, the general opinion is that Il Trittico is never less than professional, so now you'll be able to experience all the trios, which are among Raff's best compositions. Have fun!
Mark Thomas   05/6/2003	RE: SYMPHONIES 8 & 9 + "IL TRITTICO" IP: Logged Message: Yes, the Il Trittico performances really are OK and this budget set is an excellent way to get to know the works. Their performances are very reliable. Trio Opus 8 on CPO are, of course, full price and they do take risks with their interpretations. For me at least these risks almost always come off and so they have an edgy excitement lacking from the Trittico set. Overall, though, you can't go wrong with either and it just comes down to personal taste. I think I'm alone here in marginally preferring the 8th. Symphony to the 9th. They are both fine works and John has characterised the Summer symphony well. As befits the season, the Spring symphony has, for me, a rather fresher feel and its opening movement is always a joy. Especially the fughetto passage in its closing bars. Not a very scientific analysis but its a piece which speaks to the emotions isn't it? The Marco Polo performances feel slightly rushed but they are amongst the better in the cycle. Fernando, you'll love all six works - how I envy you getting to know them for the first time!.
FERNANDO OLIVA   06/6/2003	RE: SYMPHONIES 8 & 9 + "IL TRITTICO" IP: Logged Message: Friday, June 6th, early in the morning. Dear Friends, Last night, very later (at midnight), I can´t resist tentation and listened the 8th. Great experience! This work makes me feel very "spring" emotions. Finally I was go to bed very later, but very happy. I agree with Mark in special attention to the opening movement: is very great. I also enjoyed with "Walpurgis night", a well crafted scherzo. Talking about "spring" emotions, I feel similar when listen Glazunov´s 8th. Somebody are agree with me? Surely, I will listen the summer symphony and piano trios on Sunday. I´m exciting for listen another version of my favourite: the fourth, with his wonderful schubertian air slow movement, and sincerely, all the rest of paino trios. I hope you will have a nice week-end. Cheers, Fernando.
FERNANDO OLIVA   10/6/2003	RE: SYMPHONIES 8 & 9 + "IL TRITTICO" IP: Logged Message: Dear Friends, I had a nice week-end with Raff music. About the 9th. Symphony, I agree with John Boyer. The first movement is very summer atmospheric, painted in sunny colours, full of vitalitiy. The "Jagd der Elfen" is a pretious scherzo, one of the most effective in Raff repertoire, If the Nascimbene´s score is the soundtrack for the film "The Vikings" (Is it?) directed by Richard Lester in the 60´s, yes, I find similarities. The "Ekloke" (I think is a berger´s sound) souds very "pastoral", bur in this case I prefer the 8th. slow movement. The final is vigorous and exciting. Really, a great Symphony. About "Il Trittico", the first piano trio is faster than Trio Op. 8 in his two first movements. I´m positive impressed with the slow movement of the second, with Beethovenian airs. I like too, the final movement of the third, in vaguely hungarian style. For me, the real gem is the fourth. I enjoy with all the movements, but I´m fascinate with his wonderful slow movement, with his schubertian simplicity, full of poetry, and the chopinian influence in the piano part. Surely, I need will listen Trio Op. 8 versions of the 2nd. and 3rd. for make a judgement. But, remember, I´m not an expert, only an affecionate. Thanks for your aid and your expert opinion. Kind regards from Barcelona, Fernando Oliva.