Each piece on the sixth and final volume of this series demonstrates different aspects of Joachim Raff’s genius as a composer for the piano. The melodic richness of the early Six Poèmes, dedicated to Liszt who had rescued Raff from penury, contrasts with the deftly evocative scene-setting of Erinnerung an Venedig, which recalls a holiday in Venice. The intensely lyrical Fantaisie is complemented by the languid charm of the Barcarolle, and the recording closes with a virtuosic Valse brillante.

British-Vietnamese Tra Nguyen’s imaginative programming balances core repertoire and lesser-known music, winning critical praise. Her discography introduces many world première recordings of neglected music. Her previous recordings of Joachim Raff’s piano music have earned wide critical acclaim, including Album of the Week awards by The Independent.

Tra Nguyen studied with Lev Naumov at the Moscow Conservatory and with Christopher Elton at the Royal Academy of Music, where she received the Academy’s highest award for her final recital. She was awarded the ARAM (Associate of the Royal Academy of Music) for her “significant contribution to the music profession” in 2013.