Album insights
During the 1830s, Franz Liszt proclaimed that virtuosity was not an outlier but an essential element of music, ushering in an era where the cult of virtuosos thrived in Europe. Influenced by Paganini's supposedly demonic skills, a new generation of composing pianists emerged, including Hummel, John Field from Ireland, Frédéric Kalkbrenner of France, and Ignaz Moscheles from Bohemia. This prestigious group notably included Ferdinand Ries, hailed by the London Harmonicon as one of the best piano artists of his time, showcasing a unique blend of power, precision, and a touch of romantic wildness in his playing.
Moving from Beethoven's tutelage in Bonn to Vienna as a student, Ries found himself deeply intertwined with Beethoven's world. Under the guidance of Johann Georg Albrechtsberger for composition, Ries also assisted Beethoven with various tasks, forging a bond that led to cherished memories and anecdotes. Despite setbacks, including military summons and health struggles, Ries embarked on a journey that took him from Wien to Paris, then back to Vienna to support Beethoven, and eventually to London, where he settled for over a decade.
London became Ries’ creative haven, where he married and cultivated his musical legacy by presenting his compositions in esteemed venues. Demonstrating both brilliance and force in his music, Ries' works carried subtle echoes of Beethoven while carving out his distinct compositional path, notably marked by bold piano figures and a penchant for sensational moments over grand dramatic narratives.
Ries' piano concertos, especially the "Gruss an den Rhein," exuded euphoria and innovation, with orchestration emphasizing woodwinds and horns to paint colorful musical landscapes akin to Mozart's stylistic flairs. His compositions, including the heartfelt "Gruss an den Rhein," revealed a skilled blend of classicism and Romanticism, where each note echoed a sense of joyous exploration and harmonic audacity that captivated audiences.
By the time Ries composed his ninth piano concerto in G minor and relocated to Frankfurt, his virtuoso stature had waned. Nevertheless, his musical prowess remained intact, evident in the intricate tapestry of his final piano concerto, which echoed previous works while delving into new musical territories with a vibrant color palette and innovative harmonic structures.
Richard Wigmore © 2018