Ferdinand Ries: Symphonies Nos. 1 & 2 Tapiola Sinfonietta & Janne Nisonen

• Ferdinand Ries (1784 - 1838): Symphony No. 1 in D major, Op. 23:
• 1 Ries: Symphony No. 1 in D major, Op. 23: I. Adagio – Allegro molto vivace 09:46
• 2 Ries: Symphony No. 1 in D major, Op. 23: II. Marche funebre 06:31
• 3 Ries: Symphony No. 1 in D major, Op. 23: III. Menuetto. Moderato 04:30
• 4 Ries: Symphony No. 1 in D major, Op. 23: IV. Finale. Allegro 05:46
• Symphony No. 2 in C minor, Op. 80:
• 5 Ries: Symphony No. 2 in C minor, Op. 80: I. Allegro ma non troppo 09:05
• 6 Ries: Symphony No. 2 in C minor, Op. 80: II. Andantino 06:05
• 7 Ries: Symphony No. 2 in C minor, Op. 80: III. Menuetto. Allegro 05:42
• 8 Ries: Symphony No. 2 in C minor, Op. 80: IV. Finale. Allegro ma non troppo 05:11
• Total Runtime 52:36

Info for Ferdinand Ries: Symphonies Nos. 1 & 2

Ferdinand Ries was Beethoven’s only acknowledged pupil. A friend and biographer of Beethoven, he wrote an impressive catalogue of works, including eight symphonies and several concertos. Like Beethoven before him, Ries had delayed writing his first symphony until he felt confident enough of his experience and technique to compose a work that would bear comparison with the masterpieces of Haydn and Mozart and, in his case, Beethoven himself. During Ries’ eleven years in London he composed five symphonies for the Philharmonic concerts. His Symphony in C minor, Op.80, although published second, was actually the third of his symphonies to be composed. It was this symphony, unified by a concentration on thematic and harmonic connections across the four movements, that Ries dedicated to Beethoven. This new recording by the Tapiola Sinfonietta and its leader and conductor Janne Nisonen is Volume 1 in a new Ries symphony cycle.

Tapiola Sinfonietta
Janne Nisonen, conductor

The Tapiola Sinfonietta
was established in 1988, with the immediate aim of distinguishing itself in both repertoire and sound from other Finnish orchestras. It has a string section of 27 players, with double woodwind and two horns. Artistic directors of the orchestra have included Jorma Panula, Juhani Lamminmäki and Osmo Vänskä, followed, in 1993, by the appointment of the French violinist and conductor Jean-Jacques Kantorow, under whose direction the orchestra has achieved the highest international standard. The repertoire of the orchestra, which corresponds in size to many orchestras of the Viennese Classical period, ranges from the Baroque to the contemporary.

Janne Nisonen
is one of Finland’s most versatile and sought after musicians. During his career, Nisonen has progressed from violin student to chamber musician and from leader to conductor. Nowadays, Nisonen is known especially for his stylish performances of classical and early romantic repertoire as well as a brave proponent of contemporary music. He is a descendant of folk musicians, and there is a certain full-blooded and gritty character in his musicianship. The planning of surprising, multifaceted concert programs with a mix of music from different genres is an important part of Janne Nisonen’s artistic work. Since 2020, he has participated in the artistic planning of Tapiola Sinfonietta as part of the three-person artistic board.

Among other orchestras, Nisonen has conducted the Finnish Radio Symphony Orchestra, Helsinki Philharmonic, Tapiola Sinfonietta, Tampere Filharmonia, Turku Philharmonic Orchestra, Avanti!, Tallinn Chamber Orchestra and the Ostrobothnian Chamber Orchestra.

Nisonen has recorded exclusively for Ondine. The latest project is to record the full cycle of Ferdinand Ries’ symphonies with Tapiola Sinfonietta.

Booklet for Ferdinand Ries: Symphonies Nos. 1 & 2