This year marks the bicentenary of the birth of the distinguished Swiss composer Joaquim Raff, a figure whose orchestral music, though sadly neglected in concerts, was frequently exploited for score-reading exercises at universities until comparatively recently.

Raff 's Frühlingsboten (‘Heralds of Spring’) dates from 1852-3 and marks a significant turning point in his career. Evidently his blossoming love for his wife-to-be, Doris Genast, heavily influenced the content of this accomplished and convincing set of 12 character pieces. It was greatly admired by Hans von Bülow, among others, and still makes a positive impression.

Joaquim Raff (1822-1882)

The opening movement unfolds polyphonically in four parts, while the second is in quasi-orchestral martial mode. ‘Gelübde’ could almost be played on the organ, while ‘Unruhe’, ‘Wirmiss’, ‘Fern’ and ‘Zu Zwei’ have an admirable economy and linear angularity that sounds distinctive compared with the piano writing of Raff's contemporaries. Elsewhere we see a post-Schumannesque aesthetic that is always accomplished and well-crafted but lacks personality. Excellent fingerings and editing from Ulrich Mahlert. Worth exploring.