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Raff

Joachim Raff (1822–1882) was a Swiss-born composer who was largely self-taught, having studied scores independently whilst working as a schoolteacher before his talent caught the attention of Liszt, who championed his work and assisted his career. He became the first director of the Hoch Conservatory in Frankfurt on its founding in 1878, a post he held until his death. During his lifetime he was one of the most celebrated composers in Europe, his eleven symphonies performed across the continent. Within a generation of his death he was almost entirely forgotten, a reversal of reputation rarely matched in the history of classical music.

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