The eight piano concertos of Beethoven’s friend and pupil Ferdinand Ries stand alongside those of Hummel as the most important works of their kind from the early 19th century. Intensely lyrical and yet displaying at times a rugged Beethovenian power, Ries’s concertos are works of impressive musical stature. This world première recording features the Concerto in C major composed in 1806 shortly after Ries completed his studies in Vienna with Beethoven, and the majestic Concerto in A flat ‘Gruss an den Rhein’, written twenty years later on his return to the Rhineland, which looks forward to the piano writing of Chopin.

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‘Much of the credit for this recording’s success is due to the verve and conviction of the soloist… The New Zealanders provide keen and sympathetic support under Grodd and the recorded balance is exemplary.’ – Gramophone

‘Christopher Hinterhuber plays extremely well … [His] elegance and verve (not to mention his nice, clean scales) making an excellent case for the work.’ – ClassicsToday.com

As one of the greatest pianists in Europe of his time and a composer of exceptional ability, it is surprising that the name Ferdinand Ries is not better known today. His eight piano concertos stand alongside those of Hummel as the most important works of their kind from the early 19th century. Intensely lyrical and yet displaying at times a rugged Beethovenian power, Ries’s concertos are works of impressive musical stature. The Piano Concerto in C sharp minor, composed in Russia in 1812, is a striking work full of spirit and boundless invention. Its companion pieces are no less remarkable in their brilliant juxtapositions of dazzling virtuoso display and passages of exceptional lyrical beauty.

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‘Hinterhuber makes this music sing and sparkle, and the florid passages are executed with head-shaking smoothness. Grodd is both knowledgeable and enthusiastic.’ – Fanfare

‘The performance by pianist Hinterhuber sparkles, with excellent support from the orchestra and sonics to match.’ – The New Recordings, Cliffs Classics

The fourteen works for piano and orchestra of Ferdinand Ries stand alongside those of Hummel as among the most important of their kind from the early decades of the 19th century. Intensely lyrical and yet displaying at times a rugged Beethovenian grandeur, Ries’s concertos are works of impressive musical stature. The three works featured on this recording are all associated with Ries’s English period: the Abschieds-Concert von England, composed to mark his retirement from the London stage; the brilliant Grand Variations on ‘Rule Britannia’, composed at Hastings in 1817, and the enchanting Introduction et Variations Brillantes, Op. 170 which takes as its theme Soldier, soldier, will you marry me?

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‘Hinterhuber’s crisp articulation and burley technique are shown to excellent advantage, and the result is the most immediately attractive piece on the disc. [This] will likely tickle the musical funny bone of listeners already familiar with Beethoven’s concertos.’ – AllMusic.com

‘The recordings are pellucid and well-focused across a convincing soundstage, with an ideal balance between the soloist and orchestra.’ – Classical Lost and Found

The fourteen works for piano and orchestra of Ferdinand Ries stand alongside those of Hummel as the most important of their kind from the early decades of the 19th century. Intensely lyrical and yet displaying at times a rugged Beethovenian grandeur, Ries’s concertos are works of impressive musical stature. The three works featured on this recording span the years 1809 to 1835 and include the fascinating Concerto Pastoral, Op. 120, and the Introduction et Rondeau Brillant, WoO54, composed at the end of Ries’s long and brilliant career as a pianist-composer.

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‘Hinterhuber and Grodd give…a strong and forthright performance that highlights Ries’ skills as both pianist and composer.’ – Infodad.com

‘Naxos has found precisely the right combination of artists to do these works justice. Hinterhuber [is] one of the finest pianists you’ll hear in the early-Romantic repertoire, with both taste and technique to burn.’ – Audiophile Audition ★★★★★

The fourteen works for piano and orchestra of Ferdinand Ries stand alongside those of Hummel as the finest and most important of their kind from the early decades of the 19th century. Intensely lyrical and yet displaying at times a rugged Beethovenian grandeur, Ries’s eight concertos are works of impressive musical stature. In this fifth and final recording we encounter the first and last of his published concertos and the virtuosic Rondeau brillant, Op. 144. ‘Sparkling performances…the recording is first rate.’ (Penguin Guide on Vol. 3)

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‘This is a real discovery; but then so is Ries’ entire output for piano and orchestra… Performance and sound as before are beyond reproach.’ – American Record Guide

‘Hinterhuber delivers performances that burn with conviction; there’s no point where his concentration and onward surge flutter, where his dedication to the task in hand isn’t clear, and completely convincing.’ – International Record Review