Ferdinand Ries (Nov. 28, 1784 - Jan. 13, 1838) was born to a musical family in Bonn. He received piano lessons from his father, and also played the cello and organ. In the early 1800s, Ries became a pupil of Ludwig van Beethoven, and later on his secretary and close friend.

Close friendships with well known composers don't always guarantee major recognition however, nor do ringing endorsements (Robert Schumann said Ries had "remarkable originality"). Nor does a large output always matter, either. Ries left us with around three hundred compositions, and we are taking a look at his Piano Sonata in B minor.

This sonata is considered to be the starting point of Ries' journey in to writing piano sonatas; this work was unpublished, with no opus number. The compositional style is very different than his following works, but an important piece when looking at his complete body of work. It shows hints of his lyrical and creative melodic writing to come.

The first movement is very somber and dark, and punctuated with lengthy pauses between phrases. The slow pace of the work gives it a sense of gravitas, and solemnity.

The second movement has a very similar mood as the first, yet is in the parallel major.

The final movement bears much resemblance to Beethoven's "Pathetique" Sonata in C, complete with creative and pleasing themes.

Here's a recording of this delightful sonata for you to enjoy:

Susan Kagan