Symphony No.6 in D minor "Lived: Struggled, Suffered, Fought, Died and Glorified" - Joachim Raff

Bamberg Symphony Orchestra conducted by Hans Stadlmair.

I - Allegro non troppo: 0:00
II - Scherzo. Vivace: 9:52
III - Larghetto, quasi marcia funebre: 14:51
IV - Allegro con spirito: 24:47

Raff's Symphony No.6 was composed in 1873, being premiered on October 21 of 1874, as part of the 1st Symphonie-Soirée of the Royal Chapel by the Royal Court Orchestra conducted by Wilhelm Taubert. It was well-received, although it didn't achieve the enormous success of the previous one. The work is rather ambiguous in that apparently it conceived as a programmatic symphony, but the programme was later removed from the published score.

In a letter to Hans von Bülow, Raff wrote the following about the work: "The life of the artist is striving. This striving itself is simply the continuing battle against negation (suffering and conflict). The artist, though, does not fight with a club or with newspaper articles, but by developing new manifestations of the ideas that inspire him." However, and since the programme was deleted, we could also interpret the work as just pure music. Perhaps Raff thought it was unnecessary or changed his mind, we don't know for certain.

The first movement is structured in a modified sonata form. It represents the life of an artist with his sufferings and ambitions, according to Raff. It begins with a slow introduction that introduces elements further elaborated later on. The main allegro begins with a vigorous and rhythmic main theme, derived from the opening pizzicato line of strings. After a brief development, a lyrical second theme is presented. The development section is more dramatic and stormy, followed by a bright recapitulation of the main themes. However, the mood darkens as a passionate coda ends the movement.

The second movement is a scherzo in ternary form. According to Raff, it represents the struggle of the artist for recognition. It opens with a cheerful and rhythmic main theme, similar to a folk dance. The music culminates in a heavily contrapuntal climax, followed by syncopations similar to Raff's "Hungarian Suite". The trio begins with a lyrical second theme on strings, but it quickly leads us to the recapitulation of the scherzo with its syncopations. A vigorous coda, full of life and energy, ends the movement.

The third movement is structured in a modified sonata form. It supposedly represents a lament to the fallen artist, according to Raff. It begins with a funeral march theme introduced by strings, followed by oboes and horns, joined by the rest of the woodwind. It is followed by a widely lyrical second theme on violins and clarinets. These materials are then developed in a heavily contrapuntal manner, through which the rhythm of the march is maintained. The music culminates in a tragic climax, followed by the recapitulation of the themes. A mournful passage leads us to a sad coda.

The fourth movement is written in sonata form. It represents the triumph and recognition the artist achieves after his death. After a brief introduction, a brilliant and energetic main theme is presented by strings, contrasted by a more restrained and melodic second theme. The materials are derived from the first movement, being subjected to a contrapuntal development. A powerful climax is reached as the recapitulation begins. A triumphal coda ends the work brilliantly.

Picture: "Self-Portrait with Death Playing the Fiddle" (1872) by the Swiss painter Arnold Böcklin.

Musical analysis partially written by myself. Sources: https://bit.ly/3GTNWfs and https://bit.ly/3GY04Mq

To check the score: https://bit.ly/3Zkz1Ch

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