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Suite & Sonata

Product Image: Suite & Sonata

Suite & Sonata

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Suite in D Minor, Op.91 The Suite in D Minor (dedicated to Cosima von Bülow), is as massive a suite for the piano as ever there was. The Fantasia opens in an improvisatory manner, at once sounding forth a strong motive which acts as the binding element among all 4 movements. There is no single tempo, only an ebb and flow of tempi. The writing is distinctly pianistic, but colored by intimations of recitative and a notable salute to the operatic style of Mozart s d-minor Fantasy. A 4-voice Fuga enters under the cover of the Fantasia s end, proceeding after the manner of Mendelssohn s e-minor Prelude and Fugue to quicken in note values and tempo, ultimately to attain a climax marked grandioso sempre. The Giga con Variazioni, considered by Ernest Hutcheson as Raff s best concert piece, affords many opportunities for fleet-fingered execution. Its 10 variations run a gamut of digital expression from faerie Mendelssohnian realms to that of a fiery Liszt inferno. The Cavatina (largamente e nobile) is remarkable for its fertility of resource as well as for the composer s usual readiness to shape melodies which fit together in the most comfortable counterpoint. Raff loved to compose marches and penned one (Allegro deciso) of almost orchestral vigor and sonority to bring matters to a mighty conclusion. Grande Sonate in E-flat Minor, Op.14 (2nd version) The newly recorded 1881 revised version of the first Piano Sonata, Op.14 shows Raff with his characteristic easily-assimilated melodies, the harmonic structure of each movement being complex. There are thematic links between the movements and the texture is often polyphonic, with liberal use of counterpoint.
Product details
Release Date:
2012-03-26
Publication Date:
2012-03-26
Publisher:
Genesis Records
Languages:
Published: English
Weight:
91 g
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