Presents
Ferdinand Ries
Trio in E flat Major for Flute, Cello and Piano, Op.63
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 Trio for Flute, Cello and Piano dates from 1815 while Ries was living in England and was originally published by the firm of Clementi founded by the famous Italian pianist. During part of the summer of 1815, Ries sojurned in the city of Bath where the upper crust like spend time. Bath had a number of well-known concert venues including the Assembly Rooms and the Pump House, both perfect intimate settings for chamber music. The attractive trio would have been a perfect compliment to high tea or an early evening concert. The opening movement, Allegro, is full of charm. A short middle movement, Andante, follows. And the work concludes with a lively Rondo.
We have reprinted the first German edition put out Simrock of Bonn. Not at all hard to read, this is a work which can be warmly recommended to amateurs looking for a comfortable work that will make a good impression in concert.
Parts: $14.95
