Ries / Kagan - Piano Sonatas & Sonatinas - COMPACT DISCS [CD]

Ferdinand Ries was Beethoven's student, close friend and biographer. He was a gifted and prolific composer whose works, like those of many other composers of his time, were largely overshadowed by Beethoven's presence. Ries's music was widely known and admired in his lifetime, and his 18 Violin Sonatas are models of the Viennese Classical style established by Mozart. The pastoral character of the first Sonata, Op. 8 is enlivened through the unusual appearance of a fugue, while the second of the pair features a lovely, serene Adagio cantabile. The large-scale drama of the Grande Sonata, Op. 19 links it to Beethoven's Appassionata. Album Tracks 1. 1 1 I. Allegro Ma Non Troppo 2. 1 2 II. Allegretto Vivace 3. 1 3 III. Larghetto 4. 1 4 IV. Rondo Allegretto Quasi Allegro 5. 1 5 I. Allegro Con Spirito 6. 1 6 II. Adagio Cantabile 7. 1 7 III. Rondo Allegro Scherzando 8. 1 8 I. Largo Espressivo - Allegro Agitato 9. 1 9 II. Andante 10. 1 10 III. Allegro

Ferdinand Ries grew up in the same musical environment that nurtured Beethoven, both counting Ferdinand's father Franz as one of their teachers and the two of them becoming the closest of friends. Ries was a gifted and prolific composer in every instrumental genre. His Violin Sonatas are based on the Viennese Classical style established by Mozart but with a freshness and originality that includes movements such as the Adagio of the Sonata, Op. 38, No. 3, one of Ries's loveliest creations. The Sonatas Op. 38, Nos. 1 & 2 can be heard on the 2nd volume of this edition, which was Inchunreservedly recommendedInch by Fanfare magazine. Violinist Eric Grossman is a versatile performer hailed for his flawless technique, superb musicianship, and commitment to a wide range of repertoire. Grossman has performed across the US, Europe, Korea, Japan, and Cuba in recital and as soloist under such conductors as Zubin Mehta, Stanislaw Skrowaczewski, and Michael Gielen. Album Tracks 1. Sonata in E Flat Major, Op. 18 2. Sonata in G minor, Op. 38, No. 3 3. Sonata in D Major, Op. 83

Album Tracks 1. I. Allegro 2. II. Larghetto 3. III. Polonaise 4. I. Allegro 5. II. Larghetto Quasi Andante 6. III. Allegretto Non Troppo 7. I. Allegro Molto 8. II. Andante Con Variazioni 9. III. Presto