FERDINAND RIES (1784-1838): Cello Sonatas in C, Op. 20, in A, Op. 21 and in G Minor, Op. 125.

Description: This period-instrument recording substitutes a third sonata for cpo’s coupling of two short, salon-style pieces without opus numbers (09C037 from 2000). Ries’ two early sonatas (1807 & 1809) are indebted to Beethoven, yet have a somewhat softer dramatic profile. The G minor work, from 1823, is unlike his master however; its purling piano part and sighing cello speak more of the salon than of passionate emotions. The only other recording of all three sonatas, on modern instruments, was on a now out-of-print Dynamic disc in 2000. Gaetano Nasillo (cello), Alessandro Commellato (1825 Boehm fortepiano).