Raff: Symphony No. 2/Four Shakespeare Preludes Orchestral & Concertos Chandos

About Chandos

About Us

Chandos Records is one of the world's premier classical music record companies, best known for its ground breaking search for neglected musical gems. The company has pioneered the idea of the 'series' and proudly includes series of such composers as Prokofiev, Tchaikovsky, Parry, Walton, Grainger, Berkeley and Bridge. Renowned for its superb sound quality, Chandos has won many prestigious awards for its natural sound.

Customer Service

Popular Categories

(New) Chandos CD Printed Catalogue

Get In Touch

Chandos Records
Chandos House
1 Commerce Park
Commerce Way
Colchester
Essex
CO2 8HX
United Kingdom

Tel: +44(0)1206 225200
Fax: +44(0)1206 225201

VAT No: 466104851
Co. reg: 1424451

Secure Payments

“Raff’s post-Mendelssohnian lyric charm is offset by individuality in delicate orchestration and unexpected harmonies. Peerless performances from Järvi and his Swiss orchestra.” *****

David Nice – BBC Music magazine (Brief Notes Section) – September 2013

"...Chandos’s SACD sound serves the music well with sweet instrumental texture, good orchestral balance, and no trace of digital harshness or objectionable spotlighting of individual instruments. If you would enjoy a collection of pleasant but minor romantic music, don’t hesitate to acquire this well-executed recording.”

“... Once again Neeme Jarvi shows he knows just what this music is about , and he gets excellent playing from his men This well-filled and sonorously recorded repast makes an excellent first instalment in Jarvi’s Raff cycle.”

Steven J Haller – American Record Guide – May/June 2013

"This is a simply terrific in every respect I was staggered by the excellence of the sound quality on this SACD. The orchestral image is both wide and deep – enhanced by the fine acoustic of the Victoria Hall, Geneva - and one is immediately aware of the pin-point accuracy with regard to the positions of individual instruments. Authoritative notes by Dr. Avrohom Leichtling complete this most recommendable issue."

Graham Williams - CD Choice.co.uk - 22 March 2013

“... Neeme Järvi and his Suisse Romande players seem to be hving a whale of a time, or at least that’s the impression that these extremely vital performances suggest a perfect place to dip a toe into Raffian waters.”

Rob Cowan – Gramophone magazine – April 2013

"...Raff’s music virtually disappeared after his death – saving his little Cavatina lollipop – and has only recently been rediscovered. This account of his Second Symphony, reckoned by many to be his finest can only help that process. Jarvi’s approach is pacey, the playing of the orchestra top drawer and the Chandos recording pin sharp. Filling the disc are Raff’s four Shakespeare Preludes from towards the end of his life and the colourful Macbeth that should surely find a home in Scottish concert halls ..."

“...Raff’s Second [Symphony] expertly scored and effortlessly fluent Järvi’s fleet performance avoids portentousness The Four Shakespeare Preludes were composed in 1879, when Raff’s style had become more concise and his orchestration even more imaginative; these pieces are based upon The Tempest, Macbeth, Romeo and Juliet and Othello respectively are brilliant showpieces” ***

Andrew Clements – The Guardian – 22 February 2013

Performance ***** Sonics *****

“This is a simply terrific release in every respect This is the sort of neglected repertoire on which the ever-questing Neeme Järvi thrives, and his performance of the symphony is both lively and affectionate. The Orchestra de la Suisse Romande play with great style and freshness for their new Artistic Director, and communicate a real sense of enjoyment to the listener Used as one is to the very fine sound quality from Chandos, I was staggered by the excellence of the sound quality on this SACD. The orchestral image is both wide and deep one is immediately aware of the pin-point accuracy with regard to the position of individual instruments”

Graham Williams – SA-CD.net – 8 February 2013

My Wish List