Raff, (Joseph) Joachim

greatly renowned Swiss teacher and composer; b. Lachen, near Zurich, May 27, 1822; d. Frankfurt am Main, June 24, 1882. Raff was educated at the Jesuit Gymnasium in Schwyz. He was a schoolteacher in Rapperswill from 1840 to 1844 but pursued music during that time.

In 1843 Raff sent some of his piano pieces to FELIX MENDELSSOHN, who recommended them for publication. In 1845 he met FRANZ LISZT in Basel, who gave him further encouragement and assistance in finding employment. From 1850 to 1856 Raff was Liszt's assistant in Weimar, where he became an ardent supporter of the new German school of composition. He then went to Wiesbaden as a piano teacher and composer, where he married the actress Doris Genast. He subsequently was director of the Hoch Conservatory in Frankfurt from 1877 to 1882, where he also taught composition. Students flocked from many countries to study with him, including the American EDWARD MACDOWELL.

Raff was a composer of prodigious output, a master of all technical aspects of composition. He wrote 214 opus numbers that were published and many more that remained in manuscript. In spite of his fame, his music was little played after his death.

Raff is best known for his 11 symphonies, including No. 5, Leonore, his most famous work, which he wrote in 1872. He also composed several concert OVERTURES, two violin CONCERTOS, a piano concerto, two cello concertos, and four orchestral SUITES. His vocal music consists of six operas, various choral works with orchestra, and many unaccompanied choral works. He was also an active composer of chamber works, piano pieces, and arrangements.