Joachim Raff: Catalogue - Orchestral Music

Catalogue - Orchestral Music

Other music: Vocal • Chamber • Instrumental • Piano

On this page:

Symphonies
Concertos
Orchestral Suites
Other Orchestral Works
Works for Wind Band

Symphonies

Symphony in E minor WoO.18 (1850-55).
Unpublished. LOST. Premiere: 20 April 1855, Weimar. III. & IV. were re-used as V. & IV. in the Orchestral Suite No.1 Op.101 (see below).

I. Allegro appassionato.
II. Andante.
III. Marsch [March]. Deciso.
IV. Scherzo (Presto).
V. Fuge [Fugue].

Symphony No.1 in D major An das Vaterland [To the Fatherland] Op.96 (1859-61). Listen to an extract
Published: Schuberth, 1864. Premiere: 22 February 1863, Vienna. Won 1st Prize in the Gesellschaft der Musikfreunde competition in Vienna in 1862.

I. Allegro.
II. Scherzo (Allegro molto vivace, quasi presto).
III. Larghetto—Andante—Larghetto.
IV. Allegro drammatico.
V. Larghetto, sostenuto—Allegro deciso, trionfante.

× Symphony No.1 in D major An das Vaterland Op.96
Beginning of the second movement.
Bamberger Symphoniker - Hans Stadlmair. © Tudor AG.

Symphony No.2 in C major Op.140 (1866). Listen to an extract
Published: 1869, Schott. Premiere: 1 March 1867, Wiesbaden.

I. Allegro.
II. Andante con moto.
III. Allegro vivace.
IV. Andante maestoso—Allegro con spirito.

× Symphony No.2 Op.140
End of the first movement.
L'Orchestre de la Suisse Romande - Neeme Järvi. © Chandos Records.

Symphony No.3 in F major Im Walde [In the Forest] Op.153 (1869). Listen to an extract
Published: 1871, Kistner. Premiere: 17 April 1870, Weimar.

Part 1 - Am Tage. Eindrücke und Empfindungen [Daytime. Impressions & Feelings]. I. Allegro.
Part 2 – In der Dämmerung [In the Twilight]:
A. Träumerie [Reverie]: II. Largo.
B. Tanz der Dryaden [Dance of the Dryads]: III. Allegro assai.
Part 3 – Nachts. Stilles Weben der Nacht im Walde. Einzug und Auszug der Wilden Jagd mit Frau Holle (Hulda) und Wotan. Anbruch des Tages [At Night. Night Weaves Silently Through the Forest. Arrival and Departure of the Wild Hunt, with Frau Holle (Hulda) and Wotan. Daybreak]: IV. Allegro.

× Symphony No.3 in F major Im Walde Op.153
From the second movement.
Bamberger Symphoniker - Hans Stadlmair. © Tudor AG.

Symphony No.4 in G minor Op.167 (1871). Listen to an extract
Published: 1872, Schuberth. Premiere: 8 February 1872, Wiesbaden.

I. Allegro.
II. Allegro molto.
III. Andante, non troppo mosso.
IV. Allegro.

× Symphony No.4 Op.167
From the first movement.
Bamberger Symphoniker - Hans Stadlmair. © Tudor AG.

Symphony No.5 in E major Lenore Op.177 (1872). Listen to an extract
Published: 1873, Seitz. Premiere: 13 December 1872, Sondershausen.

Part 1 – Liebesglück [Love’s Happiness]: I. Allegro. II. Andante quasi Larghetto.
Part 2 – Trennung [Separation]: Marsch [March].
Part 3 – Wiedervereinigung im Tode. Introduktion und Ballade (nach Bürgers “Lenore”) [Reunited in Death. Introduction and Ballade (after Bürger’s Lenore)]: IV. Allegro.

× Symphony No.5 in E major Lenore Op.177
From the last movement.
L'Orchestre de la Suisse Romande - Neeme Järvi. © Chandos Records.

Symphony No.6 in D minor Op.189 (1873). Listen to an extract
Published: 1874, Bote & Bock. Premiere: 21 October 1874, Berlin. Motto: Gelebt: Gestrebt, Gelitten, Gestritten—Gestorben—Umworben [Lived: struggled, suffered, fought—Died—Glorified].

I. Allegro non troppo.
II. Vivace.
III. Larghetto, quasi Marcia funebre.
IV. Allegro con spirito.

× Symphony No.6 Op.189
From the third movement.
Slovak State Philharmonic Orchestra Kosice - Urs Schneider. © Marco Polo.

Symphony No.7 in B flat major In den Alpen [In the Alps] Op.201 (1875).
Listen to an extract
Published: 1876, Seitz. Premiere: 30 December 1875, Wiesbaden.

I. Wanderung im Hochgebirg [A Walk in the Mountains]: Andante—Allegro.
II. In der Herberge [At the Inn]: Andante quasi Allegro.
III. Am See [By the Lake]: Larghetto.
IV. Beim Schwingfest: Abschied [At the Wrestling Contest; Farewell]: Allegro.

× Aymphony No.7 In den Alpen Op.201
The beginning of the first movement.
Sudwest Rundfunk Sinfonie-orchester, Bamberg & Freiburg
- Urs Schneider.

Symphony No.8 in A major Frühlingsklänge [Spring Sounds] Op.205 (1876).
Listen to an extract
Published: 1877, Siegel. Premiere: 15 March 1877, Wiesbaden.

I. Frühlings Rückkehr [Spring’s Return]: Allegro.
II. In der Walpurgisnacht [During Walpurgisnight]: Allegro.

Mit dem ersten Blumenstrauß

Larghetto

IV. Wanderlust: Vivace.

× Symphony No.8 Frühlingsklänge Op.205
The close of the first movement.
Bamberger Symphoniker - Hans Stadlmair. © Tudor AG.

Symphony No.9 in E minor Im Sommer [In Summer] Op.208 (1878). Listen to an extract
Published: 1879, Siegel. Premiere: 2 March 1879, Wiesbaden.

Part 1 - Ein heißer Tag [A Hot Day]: I. Allegro.
Part 2 - Die Jagd der Elfen. Versammlung der Elfen; Oberon und Titania; die Jagd; Rückkehr der Elfen mit Oberon und Titania [The Hunt of the Elves. Gathering of the Elves; Oberon and Titania; the Hunt; Return of the Elves with Oberon and Titania]: II. Allegro.
Part 3 - A. Ekloge [Eclogue]: III. Larghetto.
Part 3 - B. Zum Erntekranz [The Harvest Wreath]: IV. Allegro.

× Symphony No.9 Im Sommer Op.208
From the first movement.
Philharmonia Hungarica - Werner Andreas Albert. © cpo.

Symphony No.10 in F minor Zur Herbstzeit [To Autumn] Op.213 (1879-80). Listen to an extract
Published: 1882, Siegel (posthumous). Premiere (original version): 12 November 1880, Wiesbaden; (revised version: 18 November 1881, Wiesbaden). After the première, the original 3rd movement was replaced by a new one. For the original movement, see Elegie WoO.48 (see below).

I. Eindrücke und Empfindungen [Impressions and Feelings]: Allegro moderato.
II. Gespenster-Reigen [Ghostly Round-Dance]: Allegro.
III. Elegie [Elegy]: Adagio.
IV. Die Jagd der Menschen. (Auszug—Rast—Jagd—Hallali—Rückkehr) [Men Hunting. (Departure—Rest—Hunt—In at the Kill—Return)]: Allegro.

× Symphony No.10 Zur Herbstzeit Op.213
From the third movement.
Philharmonia Hungarica - Werner Andreas Albert. © cpo.

Symphony No.11 in A minor Der Winter [Winter] Op.214 (1876). Listen to an extract
Published: 1883, Siegel (posthumous, “revised and edited” by Max Erdmannsdörfer). Premiere: 21 February 1883, Wiesbaden. Composed immediately before Symphony No.8 (see above), the reason the work was set aside is not known.

I. Der erste Schnee [The First Snow]: Allegro.
II. Allegretto.
III. Am Kamin [By the Stove]: Larghetto.
IV. Karneval [Carnival]: Allegro.

× Symphony No.11 Der Winter Op.214
From the first movement.
Bamberger Symphoniker - Hans Stadlmair. © Tudor AG.

Concertos

La Fée d’amour [The Love Fairy] Op.67 (1855). Listen to an extract
Concert Piece for violin & orchestra. Published 1877/78, Schott. Premiere: 20 April 1855, Weimar.

× La Fée d’amour Op.67
From the middle of the work.
Tobias Ringborg, Symphony Orchestra of Norrlands
Opera - Andrea Quinn. © Sterling Records.

Ode au Printemps [Ode to Spring] Op.76 (1857). Listen to an extract
Concert Piece for piano & orchestra. Published: 1862, Schott. Premiere: 6 February 1860, Mainz.

× Ode au Printemps Op.76
From the middle of the piece.
Tra Nguyen, Prague Radio Symphony Orchestra
- Kerry Stratton. © Grand Piano.

Violin Concerto No.1 in B minor Op.161 (1871). Listen to an extract
Published: 2007, 1871, Siegel (probably only for rental). 2007, Edition Nordstern. Premiere: 24 August 1871, Wiesbaden.
I. Allegro patetico—II. Andante non troppo—III. Allegro trionfale

× Violin Concerto No.1 Op.161
From the slow movement.
Tobias Ringborg, Symphony Orchestra of Norrlands
Opera - Andrea Quinn. © Sterling Records.

Suite for Solo Violin & Orchestra Op.180 (1873). Listen to an extract
Published: 1873, Siegel. Premiere: 9 December 1873, Bad Homburg.

I. Preludio [Prelude]: Allegro.
II. Minuetto [Minuet]: Largamente.
III. Corrente: Allegro.
IV. Aria: Larghetto.
V. Il moto perpetuo. Finale (Allegro vivo).

× Suite for Solo Violin & Orchestra Op.180
The beginning of the piece.
Tobias Ringborg, Symphony Orchestra of Norrlands
Opera - Andrea Quinn. © Sterling Records.

Piano Concerto in C minor Op.185 (1873). Listen to an extract
Published: 1874, Siegel. Premiere: 30 July 1873, Wiesbaden.

I. Allegro.
II. Andante, quasi Larghetto.
III. Finale (Allegro).

× Piano Concerto Op.185
The climax of the slow movement.
Tra Nguyen, Prague Radio Symphony Orchestra
- Kerry Stratton. © Grand Piano.

Cello Concerto No.1 in D minor Op.193 (1874). Listen to an extract
Published: 1875, Siegel. Premiere: 4 November 1874, Dresden.
I. Allegro—II. Larghetto—III. Finale (Vivace).

× Cello Concerto No.1 Op.193
The opening of the first movement.
Christoph Croise´, Bern Symphony Orchestra - Mario Venzago.

Suite for piano & orchestra in E flat major Op.200 (1875). Listen to an extract
Published: 1876, Siegel. Premiere: 22 December 1875, Bad Homburg.

I. Introduktion & Fuge [Introduction & Fugue]: Allegro.
II. Menuett [Minuet]: Allegro.
III. Gavotte & Musette: Allegro.
IV. Cavatine [Cavatina]: Larghetto.
V. Finale (Allegro).

× Suite for Piano & Orchestra Op.200
From the second movement.
Tra Nguyen, Symphony Orchestra of Norrlands
Opera - Roland Kluttig. © Sterling Records.

Cello Concerto No.2 in G major WoO.44 (1876). Listen to an extract
Published: 1997, Edition Nordstern. Premiere: 27 May 1997, Lachen.

I. Allegro.
II. Andante.
III. Allegro vivace.

× Cello Concerto No.2 WoO.44
Opening of the final movement.
Daniel Müller-Schott, Bamberger Symphoniker
- Hans Stadlmair. © Tudor AG.

Violin Concerto No.2 in A minor Op.206 (1877). Listen to an extract
Published: 1878, Siegel. Premiere: 1 November 1877, Erfurt.

I. Allegro.
II. Adagio.
III. Allegro.

× Violin Concerto No.2 Op.206
Close of the first movement.
Michaela Paetsch Neftel, Bamberger
Symphoniker - Hans Stadlmair. © Tudor AG.

Orchestral Suites

Orchestral Suite No.1 in C major Op.101 (1863). Listen to an extract
Published: 1865, Schott. Premiere: 26 February 1864, Karlsruhe. IV. & V. were originally IV. & III. of the Symphony in E minor WoO.18 (see above).

I. Introduktion & Fuge [Introduction & Fugue]: Maestoso.
II. Menuett [Minuet]: Allegro molto.
III. Adagietto.
IV. Scherzo (Presto).
V. Marsch [March]: Deciso.

× Orchestral Suite No.1 Op.101
Beginning of the fourth movement.
Bamberger Symphoniker - Hans Stadlmair. © Tudor AG..

Italian Suite in E minor WoO.35 (1871). Listen to an extract
Published: 1884, Ries & Erler (posthumous). Premiere: 26 November 1883, Berlin. II. & IV. used as entr'actes in the opera Benedetto Marcello WoO.46.

I. Overture: Allegro molto.
II. Barcarole: Andantino.
III. Intermezzo (Pulchinella): Presto.
IV. Notturno [Nocturne]: Andante non troppo lento.
V. Tarantelle [Tarantella]: Molto vivace.

× Italian Suite WoO.35
From the Overture.
Philharmonia Hungarica - Werner Andreas Albert.

Orchestral Suite No.2 in F major In ungarischer Weise [In Hungarian Style] Op.194 (1874). Listen to an extract
Published: 1876, Bahn. Premiere: 5 March 1875, Wiesbaden.

I. An der Grenze [At the Border]. Overture: Adagio—Allegro.
II. Auf der Puszta. Träumerei [On the Puszta. Reverie]: Larghetto.
III. Bei einem Aufzug der Honvéd. Marsch [Amongst a Parade of the Honvéd. March]: Quasi Marcia.
IV. Volkslied mit Variationen [Folksong with Variations]: Adagio—Var. I-IX.
V. Vor der Czárda [At the Czárda]. Finale (Larghetto).

× Orchestral Suite No.2 In ungarischer Weise Op.194
The end of the third movement.
Philharmonia Hungarica - Werner Andreas Albert.

Aus Thüringen [From Thuringia], Suite in B flat major WoO.45 (1875). Listen to an extract
Published: 1893, Ries & Erler. Premiere: 27 March 1878, Sondershausen.

I. Salus Intrantibus [Good Health to Those Who Enter]: Allegro.
II. Elisabethenhymne [Hymn to Elisabeth]: Larghetto.
III. Reigen der Gnome & Sylphen [Round-Dance of the Gnomes and Sylphs]: Vivace.
IV. Variationen über das Volklied [Variations on the Folk Song]: Largo—Var. 1-11—Coda.
V. Ländliches Fest [Country Festival]: Allegro, quasi Marcia giojosa.

× Aus Thüringen Suite Woo.45
From the second movement.
Philharmonia Hungarica - Werner Andreas Albert.

Other Orchestral Works

Festmarsch zur Säcularfeier von Goethes Geburtstag [Festival March for the Secular Celebration of Goethe’s Birthday] WoO.8A by Franz Liszt (1849).
Unpublished. Premiere: 7 March 1850, Weimar. Orchestration, made at Liszt's suggestion, of his March S.227 for piano.

Fest-ouvertüre [Festival Overture] WoO.15 (1851-53).
Unpublished. LOST. Premiere: 20 May 1853.

Musik zum geschichtlichen Trauerspiel Bernhard von Weimar [Music to the Historical Tragedy Bernhard von Weimar] WoO.17 (1854). Listen to an extract
Published: II. & VI. published 1885, Aibl (posthumous); other nos. unpublished. Premiere: 2 January 1855, Weimar. Incidental music for the play Bernhard von Weimar by Wilhelm Genast. Overture rewritten and published as Ein feste Burg ist unser Gott Op.127 (see below).

I. Overture.
II. March (before Act 3).
III. Five fanfares and battle music for Act 3.
IV. March in Act 3.
V. Fanfare & March at end of Act 3.
VI. Untitled music before Act 4.
VII. Marschmusik [March music] for Act 5.
VIII. Untitled music for the end of Act 5.
Appendix I, alternative to No.VIII.
Appendix II, additional short piece between III. & IV.

× Bernhard von Weimar WoO.17
From VI. Music before Act 4.
Göteborgs Operaorchester - Henrik Schaefer. © Sterling Classics.

Jubelouvertüre [Celebration Overture] Op.103 (1864). Listen to an extract
Published: 1865, Kahnt. Premiere: 24 August 1864, Wiesbaden.

Fest-ouvertüre [Festival Overture] Op.117 (1864). Listen to an extract
Published: 1865, Kistner. Premiere: 14 December 1865, Leipzig.

Concert Overture Op.123 (1862). Listen to an extract
Published: 1866, Siegel. Premiere: 25 April 1863.

Ein feste Burg ist unser Gott [A Mighty Fortress is our God] Op.127 (1854-65).
Listen to an extract
Published: 1866, Hofmeister. Premiere: original reworked version - 10 March 1856, Jena; final version - 25 March 1866, Karlsruhe. Reworking of the Overture to Bernhard von Weimar WoO.17 (see above), revised several times before publication.

× Ein feste Burg ist unser Gott Op.127
Extract from the work.
Göteborgs Operaorchester - Henrik Schaefer. © Sterling Classics.

Festmarsch [Festival March] Op.139 (1867). Listen to an extract
Published: 1877, Schott. Premiere: 8 October 1867, Weimar.

Huldigungs-Marsch [Homage March] WoO.34A by Wagner (1871).
Listen to an extract
Published: 1871, Schott. Premiere: November 1871, Vienna. Orchestration made at the request of Wagner and the publisher.

× Huldigungs-Marsch WoO.34A
Extract near the end of the march.
Royal Scottish National Orchestra - Neeme Järvi. © Chandos Records.

J.S. Bach’s Chaconne in D minor for solo Violin arranged for orchestra WoO.39 (1873). Listen to an extract
Published: 1874, Seitz. Premiere: 28 March 1874, Wiesbaden. Orchestration of Bach's Chaconne BWV.1004, No.5

Abends: Rhapsodie [Evening: Rhapsody] Op.163b (1874). Listen to an extract
Published: 1874, Ries & Erler. Premiere: 23 October 1874, Wiesbaden. Arrangement of fifth movement of Piano Suite Op.163.

J.S. Bach's English Piano Suite (in G minor) arranged for orchestra WoO.41 (1874). Listen to an extract
Published: 1892, Ries & Erler (posthumous) without final movement, which is lost. Premiere: 1 January 1905, Wiesbaden. Orchestration of Bach's Keyboard Suite BWV.808.

I. Prelude: Allegro.
II. Allemande: Allegro moderato.
III. Courant: Allegro Vivace.
IV. Sarabande: Andante sostenuto.
V. Gavotte: Molto Allegro.
VI. Gigue.

× J.S. Bach's English Piano Suite WoO.41
The beginning of III. Courant.
Capella Istropolitana - Jaroslav Dvorak. © Naxos.

Elegie [Elegy] WoO.48 (1879). Listen to an extract
Published: 2003, Edition Nordstern. Premiere: 12 November 1880, Wiesbaden as the original third movement of Symphony No.10 Zur Herbstzeit Op.213 (see above).

Orchester-Vorspiel zu Shakespeare’s Sturm [Orchestral Prelude to Shakespeare’s The Tempest] WoO.49 (1879).
Listen to an extract
Published: 2006, Edition Nordstern. Premiere: 4 February 1881 Wiesbaden.

× Orchester-Vorspiel zu Shakespeare’s Sturm WoO.49
The start of the work.
L'Orchestre de la Suisse Romande - Neeme Järvi. © Chandos Records.

Orchester-Vorspiel zu Shakespeare’s Macbeth [Orchestral Prelude to Shakespeare’s Macbeth] WoO.50 (1879).
Listen to an extract
Published: 1891, Schmidt (USA - posthumous). Premiere: 13 January 1882, Wiesbaden.

× Orchester-Vorspiel zu Shakespeare’s Macbeth WoO.50
From near the beginning of the work.
L'Orchestre de la Suisse Romande - Neeme Järvi. © Chandos Records.

Orchester-Vorspiel zu Shakespeare’s Romeo und Julie [Orchestral Prelude to Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet] WoO.51 (1879). Listen to an extract
Published: 1891, Schmidt (USA - posthumous). Premiere: 4 January 1884, Wiesbaden.

× Orchester-Vorspiel zu Shakespeare’s Romeo und Julie WoO.51
The end of the work.
L'Orchestre de la Suisse Romande - Neeme Järvi. © Chandos Records.

Orchester-Vorspiel zu Shakespeare’s Othello [Orchestral Prelude to Shakespeare’s Othello] WoO.52 (1879). Listen to an extract
Published: 2018, Edition Nordstern. Unperformed, but recorded.

× Orchester-Vorspiel zu Shakespeare’s Othello WoO.52
Extract from the work.
L'Orchestre de la Suisse Romande - Neeme Järvi. © Chandos Records.

Große Fuge [Grand Fugue] WoO.56 (1882).
Unpublished. LOST. Left fully sketched, with orchestration indications, at Raff's death.

Works for Wind Band

Marsch [March] WoO.16A by Franz Liszt (1853).
Unpublished. Unperformed. Arrangement for military band, made at Liszt's request, of the original version of his March for piano S.228.

Fest-Ouvertüre (für Blasinstrumente) über vier beliebte Burschenlieder [Festival Overture (for Wind Instruments) on four favourite Student Songs] Op.124 (1865). Listen to the complete work
Published: 2021, Edition Nordstern. Premiere: 15 August 1865, Jena.

× Fest-Ouvertüre (für Blasinstrumente)
über vier beliebte Burschenlieder Op.124
Digital realisation by Dr Avrohom Leichtling.

This catalogue is an abridged summary taken from The Music of Joachim
Raff: An Illustrated Catalogue by Mark Thomas, Edition Nordstern, 2021.