Customer Reviews

Ries: Complete Symphonies [Box Set]

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After having been released as four separate CDs, the eight symphonies of Ferdinand Ries are now available in a box at a considerable price break -- roughly the cost of two of the single CD issues -- and with all four of the very well written booklets that originally came with the single CDs. This is not only a bargain, it's an example of superior presentation, not to speak of superior performances. The first six symphonies are in plain stereo -- and with excellent sound; the 7th and 8th are in SACD and in spectacular sound. I had previously reviewed the final issue, of the 7th and 8th symphonies, and what follows is a couple of paragraphs from that review:

"Ferdinand Ries (1784-1837) was a younger contemporary and, some say, acolyte of Beethoven. His music could easily be seen, on superficial examination, to be epigonal, but indeed these two symphonies show us that his music does indeed differ from that of Beethoven's if only in his rather more imaginative orchestration and idiosyncratic turns of phrase and harmony. Of course his music partakes of the same musical world as Beethoven's; still, here he sounds a bit like Schubert, there like Mendelssohn and even occasionally like Schumann, but ultimately only like himself. I will not state that he is as great as Beethoven - who is? - but his music does not deserve to languish in obscurity either; these works certainly deserve as much attention as, say, the symphonies of Niels Gade or Franz Berwald, to name only two formerly poorly known composers. Howard Griffiths and his Zürcher Kammerorchester have, with this CD, done an inestimable service by recording all of Ries's known symphonies. These two were never published in Ries's lifetime; in fact, the Seventh Symphony may be receiving its world premiere here.

A word about the provenance of the two symphonies. Ries wrote six published symphonies and then there were two that went unpublished. He generally didn't number his symphonies until they had been published, but uncharacteristically he gave a number to the Seventh, written in 1837, even though it was never accepted by a publisher; it is his last symphony. The E flat symphony, called here No. 8, was performed a number of times but never published. It was probably written in 1822; cpo have seen fit to call it the No. 8, although more correctly it is simply 'Symphony in E flat, WoO 30.' (I would refer you to previous reviews here at Amazon - written by a reviewer simply calling himself 'A Music Fan from Lawrenceville, Georgia' - of the recordings of Symphonies 3 & 5, and Symphonies 4 & 6 by the same performers. They contain a wealth of information and informed opinion.)"

Suffice it to say that the six symphonies that precede the final two are given similarly excellent performances. They all sound a bit like Beethoven and indeed there are times when one feels Ries was actually copying Beethoven -- for instance, the funeral march of Symphony No. 1 could be the younger brother of Beethoven's great 'Eroica' marcia funebre -- but overall, and with growing familiarity from continued listening, one comes to understand that Ries has his own voice. He may not be as original as Beethoven but he certainly deserves to be heard, just as his contemporaries Gade and Berwald do.

Recommended.

Scott Morrison

To the best of my knowledge, this is the only complete set of the eight fine symphonies of Ferdinand Ries currently available. CPO has somewhat of a cottage industry producing symphony cycles of secondary and tertiary composers with varying degrees of success, but on the whole the project has been more good than bad. It also nice to see these works presented en bulk, rather than having to piece them together from couplings.

Here we have the complete symphonies of one of Beethoven's pupils and the evidence of the student's reverence for his teacher is evident throughout the cycle, but no where is it more felt than in the Fifth Symphony, which is dominated by a three-note triplet figure a la Beethoven's Fifth. It is a lovely, if somewhat unfocused work, which is fascinating to hear juxtaposed to Beethoven's symphony of the same number. Listening to Ries's Fifth, one is immediately reminded why Beethoven was such a towering figure, not because Ries's effort is bad by any stretch of the imagination, but because Beethoven's effort was so magnificent.

This is not to say that Ries's works are entirely derivative. Listen to the fun interplay between major and minor that pervades the Seventh Symphony. Or the chromatic opening to the Second Symphony. But on the whole, his output is somewhat uneven, a tad unfocused, and suffers from a lack of thematic inspiration.

Now to the performances. I am pleased, but by no means thrilled, with Howard Griffiths conducting. The Zurcher Kammerorchester is, as the name implies, a small ensemble, but there is no reason why Griffith cannot achieve more energy, especially in larger tutti passages. I am convinced more incisive playing and vigor would make these symphonies more convincing. Like with Beethoven, it is the sudden shifts in mood, dramatic dynamic drop-offs, and general brio that make these symphonies interesting. I wished, for example, the dramatic opening to the Fifth had more violence, or the march-finale to the Sixth had more tongue-in-cheek charm. Still, the playing is top-notch, and these performances are quite good, certainly proficient enough to give a picture of the sound world of Ferdinand Ries. Those that enjoy this release may also enjoy the delightful Symphony of Jan Vaclav Hugo Vorisek, a work that has a bit more bite and a stronger command of sonata structure than the works presented in this four-disc volume.

Beautiful album and extremely pleasant, to me unknown, symphonies.
I warmly advise lovers of the Romantic Period to buy this set

Jean Louis van Meerbeke
Bogotá Colombia

Truly wonderful music! A shame that Ries was neglected for so long. However, what good fortune that his music is now available.

Although he was a student of Beethoven, I believe that it is unfair to to say that his music imitated Beethoven. Whereas Beethoven can sometimes be rather "heavy," Ries is absolutely delightful. This is not to say that he is "Beethoven Light," but rather that he is surprisingly brighter. I would liken him more to Schubert because of his wonderful melodies.

His first symphony shows some hesitancy; he is just beginning, but by the eighth symphony he is in full glory. His melodies will delight and surprise. Ries can stand with any of the classical composers as far as I am concerned.

The orchestra here provides excellent performances. The group is not that large, but certainly sounds much larger. It fills the performance hall with glorious sound and impeccable playing.

I heard a snippet of one of the symphonies for the first time and thought it time to explore this little-played oeuvre. While it's not all of the very highest quality, this music is well worth the exploration, especially given the low price. Great for a rainy afternoon, curled around a good book near the fire.