Ferdinand Ries (1784-1837)
Ouverture Die Braut von Messina, pour orchestre, op. 162
Ouverture Don Carlos, op. 94
Grande ouverture festive et marche de la victoire, op. 172
Ouverture dramatique "L'Apparition", WoO 61

Orchestre Symphonique de la radio de Cologne
Howard Griffiths, direction

The Beethoven pupil Ferdinand Ries always holds surprises in store for us. Whether we consider his symphonic music, chamber compositions, or vocal oeuvre (and thanks to cpo a broad selection of his works is now available for such listening), his vibrant powers of invention, formal mastery, and absolutely genial talent when it came to multiple paving of his own unique paths for the musical language of his times never fail to enthuse us. The concert overture must have been the first musical genre that took shape in response to specific demands that had arisen from the development of the concert as a public event. Works were required for an effective concert opening and to grab the audience’s attention without occupying the listener too much or too long. Ries wrote rousing works of this genre – now also rendered audible for vinyl fans!