Page:A Dictionary of Music and Musicians vol 3.djvu/77

Rh Observe the following treatment of the first subject in his 1st Symphony 'An das Vaterland':

a canon in augmentation and double augmentation. Such instances as this are numerous, and art with which these contrapuntal devices made to appear spontaneous is consummate. In the Pianoforte Concerto in C minor (op. 185), in each movement all the subjects are in double counterpoint with one another, yet this is one of Raff's freshest and most melodious works. To return to the Symphonies: the Scherzos are, as a rule, weak, and the Finales without exception boisterous and indeed vulgar. Writing here, as ever, for an uneducated public, Raff has forgotten that for a symphony to descend from a high tone is for it to be unworthy of the name.

A remarkable set of 30 Songs (Sanges-Frühling, op. 98) deserves notice for its wealth of fine melodies, some of which have become national property ('Kein Sorg um den Weg'; 'Schön' Else,' etc.); and among his pianoforte music is a set of 20 Variations on an original theme (op. 179) which displays an astonishing fertility of resource, the theme—of an almost impossible rhythm of 5 and 7 quavers in the bar—being built up into canons and scherzos of great variety and elegance.

Raff's Pianoforte Concerto is very popular, and his Suite for Violin and Orchestra (op. 180) only little less so. His versatility need not be jed upon. In all the forms of musical composition he has shown the same brilliant qualities and the same regretable shortcomings. His gift of melody, his technical skill, his inexhaustible fertility, and above all his power of never repeating himself—all these are beyond praise. But his very fertility is a misfortune, since it renders him careless in the choice of his subjects; writing 'pot-boilers' has injured the development of a delicate feeling for what is lofty and refined: in short, he stands far before all second-rate composers, yet the conscientious critic hesitates to allow him a place in the front rank of all.

Even those who have least sympathy with Raff's views on art must admire the energy and spirit with which he has worked his way upwards in spite of every obstacle poverty could throw in his way. He is a member of several societies, and has received various orders. In 1877 he was appointed with much éclat director of the Hochconservatoire at Frankfort, a post he still retains. [App. p.766 "add that he died in the night of June 24–25, 1882."]

The first of his large works performed in this country was probably the Lenore Symphony at the Crystal Palace, Nov. 14, 1874. This was followed by the 'Im-Walde,' and the PF. Concerto in C minor (Jaell), at the Philharmonic; the Symphonies in G minor, 'Im Walde,' 'Frühlingsklange' and 'Im Sommerzeit,' with the Concertos for cello and violin, and the Suite for PF. and orchestra, at the Crystal Palace. His Quintet (op. 107), 2 Trios (op. 102, 112), Sonata (op. 128), and other pieces, have been played at the Monday Popular Concerts. [ F. G. ]