Sinfonie Nr. 1

Günter Raphael (1903-1960) grew up in a period characterized by the transition from late Romanticism to classical modernism. His musical education and early creative period were still entirely influenced by the Romantic tradition. The melodic quality, harmony and expressive depth of his works often recall the late 19th century. In the 1920s, as modernism increasingly asserted itself, Raphaël however found his own musical path, which on the one hand was anchored in tradition, but on the other hand also integrated the developments of that time into his works. Despite his affinity with late Romanticism, he showed in some of his works an openness to new forms of musical expression, especially in the 1930s and 1940s, when the dissonances and structural innovations of classical modernism increasingly came to the fore. However, he always remained within a harmonic and melodic world that remained traditional compared to the more avant-garde composers of that time. Raphael's Symphony No. 1 was composed in 1925/26 and is characterized by its melodic richness and expressive depth, which is strongly influenced by the late Romantic tradition. The masterful orchestration and the dramatic, almost moving character of the music, which is beautifully expressed here by the ORF Vienna Radio Symphony Orchestra under Fabian Enders, are particularly noteworthy. Although it was composed during the National Socialist era, it is far removed from any ideological instrumentalization; instead, it is characterized by human emotion and inner reflection. The harmony is rich and complex without slipping into classical modernism, making the symphony a unique work in the context of 20th-century music.