JOACHIM RAFF (1822-1882): Complete Violin Sonatas, Vol. 1 - No. 1 in E Minor, Op. 73 and No. 2 in A, Op. 78.

Description: Raff’s first love was the violin and his pieces for the instrument were promoted by no less a virtuoso than Sarasate. The first (1854) is a powerful work teeming with expressive intensity and lyrical beauty- it remained the most performed of his violin sonatas during his lifetime. The large-scale No. 2 of 1858 offers his characteristic lyric impulse and virtuoso fireworks. Laurence Kayaleh (violin), Jean-Fabien Schneider (piano).