Ferdinand Ries (born November 28, 1784, in Bonn; died January 13, 1838, in Frankfurt am Main) was long overlooked in the music world. He played a significant role as the intermediary for the commission of Beethoven's Ninth Symphony from the London Philharmonic Society. However, his close connection to Beethoven often overshadowed his own historical importance. The Bonn-born musician moved to Vienna in 1801 to study with Beethoven, who accepted him as a pupil. For the next three years, Ries undertook important tasks, despite Beethoven's increasing hearing problems.
From 1805 onward, Ries traveled extensively, both for professional reasons and to escape political unrest. In London, he received support from Johann Peter Salomon and spent eleven successful years there in the musical life of the city. Contemporary sources recognized Ries as an influential composer and pianist. His works from his time in London enjoyed great popularity. After returning to the Rhineland in 1824, he continued his musical career. Despite his wealth and his marriage to Harriet, from a prosperous family, his fame faded after his death in 1838.
Ries left behind a substantial oeuvre of approximately 300 works in various genres, with his piano compositions being particularly noteworthy. His music displayed originality and virtuosity, establishing him as a leading master of his time. His Grand Sextuor in C major, Op. 100, composed in 1817, demonstrates his virtuosic skills at the piano. Another work, Introduction and Russian Dance, Op. 113 No. 1, was written in 1823 during his time in London. The Piano Trio in C minor, Op. 143, a work influenced by Beethoven, is characterized by its expressive character.
Ferdinand Ries composed his Sextet in G minor, Op. 142, in 1814, initially as a duo for piano and harp or for two pianos, later expanding it to a sextet or quintet. The first movement demonstrates the creative possibilities of this instrumentation, while the rondo finale combines Hungarian and Gypsy music influences. Ries's multifaceted work as a composer and pianist secured him a place in music history. Alongside his compositional work, he established himself as a respected pianist, conductor, and piano teacher. From 1825 to 1837, he directed the annual Lower Rhine Music Festival a total of eight times and, in 1825, took the opportunity to conduct the first performance of Beethoven's Ninth Symphony in Prussian Germany.