Presents
Ferdinand Ries
Piano Sextet in C Major, Op.100 "The Last Rose of Summer"
For Piano, 2Violins, Viola, Cello & Bass
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.
Ries performed the Sextet himself while he was living in London during 1817 and had it published three years later by the London firm of J. Power and then the following year by his friend Niklaus Simrock in Bonn. It was dedicated to one Miss Boode, most likely Mary Anne Boode, later Lady Cust, The first movement, Allegro con brio, opens with a substantial piano introduction, before the strings, as a band, take over. The music is lively and quite lively. Later, contrasting lyrical episodes are introduced. The second movement is in several parts. It opens with an Andante introduction. Then the theme, also played Andante, is introduced. The theme is from the then very popular song entitled the Last Rose of Summer, making the rounds in London. Several appealing variations then follow. Realizing the potential sales value it would have, Ries made sure that the name of the song appeared on the title page to the Sextet. The brilliant and dramatic finale begins with an Adagio introduction which leads to an Allegro.
Our edition is based on the 1821 Simrock edition. The Piano Sextet bears the influence of Ries's teacher Beethoven, but also was clearly composed with himself in mind as the pianist. It would do well in concert and should also give pleasure to amateur groups with an accomplished pianist.
Ries' Piano Sextet calls for the same combination as some other works we offer which you may wish to obtain (click on links) so you can make a night of it. These include Mikhail Glinka's Grand Sextet, Glinka's Divertimento Brillante, Sergei Lyapunov's Piano Sextet, Paul Juon's Piano Sextet, George Onslow's Piano Sextet, Felix Weingartner's Piano Sextet. Henri Bertini's Piano Sextet No.3 and William Sterndale Bennet's Piano Sextet.
Parts: $39.95
