Though he was known primarily as a symphonist, and despite his large portfolio of piano works, Raff’s first love was the violin and his pieces for the instrument were promoted by no less a virtuoso than Sarasate. The Violin Sonata No. 1 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 Violin Sonata No. 2 offers his characteristic lyric impulse and virtuoso fireworks.