Raff is best remembered for his symphonies, which frequently had specific programmes attached to them, such as No. 3, ‘In the Woods’, and No. 5 ‘Lenore’, inspired by a highly romantic story from the romantic writer Burger. Raff’s music is highly melodious, taking the style of Mendelssohn as its starting point and then considerably elaborating on it. Raff was a master of orchestration, and assisted Liszt with the orchestration of several of his compositions. He also composed operas and large quantities of orchestral and chamber music. The First Symphony has a grand romantic sweep to it, with strong and well-contrasted melodies presented by the full panoply of the romantic orchestra.