Presents
Ferdinand Ries
Piano Trio No.1 in E flat Major, Op.2
Today, Ferdinand Ries (1784-1838) is primarily remembered as a friend and student of Beethoven, as well as his first biographer. However, during his lifetime and for much of the 19 century Ries was remembered as a fine composer and virtuoso pianist. He showed musical promise from an early age, studying both violin and piano with his father, and the cello with Bernhard Romberg. In 1801, he went to Vienna to study with Beethoven. He studied piano and composition with him for nearly 5 years. Thereafter Ries concertized throughout Europe for a number of years before settling in London and then finally retiring in Frankfurt. He wrote a considerable amount of music including several piano concertos and a large quantity of chamber music which was for many years often performed and well thought of.
His Piano Trio No.1 Op.2 in E flat Major, is from his early period, presumably before 1810. It is a transitional work, showing all the characteristics of the late Classical period with some early Romantic tendencies. The opening Adagio con moto-Allegro sounds a great deal like Beethoven’s Op.1 piano trios. The melodies are appealing. The piano trios of Hummel are also called to mind as the elegant but, at times, florid piano part contains the bulk of the material. The second movement, Andante un poco allegretto, is particularly striking. Here, the strings are given the lead in presenting the haunting main theme. The light-hearted and fleet finale, Rondeau-allegro, recalls late Mozart, although Ries makes better use of the cello.
Here is a Piano Trio which combines the styles of the late Vienna classics with the newly emerging early romantic. It is superior to those of Haydn and the equal of the late Mozart trios and the early Beethoven trios. As such, it would make a welcome change if presented in concert and should also give pleasure to amateurs
Parts: $29.95
