Ferdinand Ries is a composer who is best known for writing a book about Beethoven; but during his lifetime Ries was regarded as one of the finest composers and piano virtuosi in Europe. Ries's father was one of Beethoven's most important teachers in Bonn, and Beethoven later gave Ries piano lessons in Vienna. Ries composed with great success in a range of genres, including several that Beethoven had made his own: the symphony, concerto, string quartet and sonata. Ries's style is a fascinating amalgam of Beethovenian grandeur and early Romantic lyricism. This profile of Ries includes more than an hour of music by the composer. Audio samples are contained in the text: just tap to listen while you read

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