FERDINAND RIES (1784-1837): Concert Overtures - Die Braut von Messina, Op. 162, Don Carlos, Op. 94, Ouverture bardique, WoO 24, Ouverture dramatique "L'Apparition", WoO 61, Große Festouvertüre und Siegesmarsch, Op. 172.

Description: As his teacher Beethoven, so the pupil Ries in this collection of concert overtures ranging from 1815 (Don Carlos and Bardique) through Bride of Messina (1829) to the final two of 1832 and 1836 with L'Apparition being his last orchestral composition. And also, as in Ries' symphonies, Beethoven's voice often comes through - especially in Bride where one thinks just briefly of the mood of Coriolan. The Große Festouvertüre has a mightly rhythmic swing at its climax, before the change-over to the closing "Victory March"; the bardique features two concertante harps which eventually quote in its entirely the Welsh folk song "All through the night" which has previously been used to provide motivic material - this is quite original and Romantic; L'Apparition's eerie beginning gives the only clue to its title but the rest of the overture is as robust and memorable as all the rest. Cologne Radio Symphony Orchestra; Howard Griffiths.