Ries: Symphonies Nos. 4 & 5 Tapiola Sinfonietta & Janne Nisonen

• Ferdinand Ries (1784 - 1838): Symphony No. 4 in F major, Op. 110:
• 1 Ries: Symphony No. 4 in F major, Op. 110: I. Andante - Allegro 11:18
• 2 Ries: Symphony No. 4 in F major, Op. 110: II. Andantino 07:32
• 3 Ries: Symphony No. 4 in F major, Op. 110: III. Scherzo. Allegro - Un poco più lento 05:52
• 4 Ries: Symphony No. 4 in F major, Op. 110: IV. Finale. Allegro molto - Più vivace 05:58
• Symphony No. 5 in D minor, Op. 112:
• 5 Ries: Symphony No. 5 in D minor, Op. 112: I. Allegro 08:43
• 6 Ries: Symphony No. 5 in D minor, Op. 112: II. Larghetto con moto quasi Andante 05:42
• 7 Ries: Symphony No. 5 in D minor, Op. 112: III. Scherzo. Allegro assai - Trio 05:39
• 8 Ries: Symphony No. 5 in D minor, Op. 112: IV. Finale. Allegro 08:16
• Total Runtime 59:00

Info for Ries: Symphonies Nos. 4 & 5

Second instalment in the ongoing complete Ferdinand Ries (1784–1838) symphony cycle by Tapiola Sinfonietta and conductor Janne Nisonen includes the composer’s Symphonies Nos. 4 and 5. Often remembered in music history as Beethoven’s ‘right hand’, these new recordings by the Tapiola Sinfonietta reveal a major symphonist. The first volume in the series has received oustanding reviews in the German music press.

Although numbered as the composer’s fifth, the D minor symphony dates from 1813 and was the composer’s second symphony to be completed. The symphony was Ferdinand Ries debut together with the London Philharmonic Society which was to be an important influence in Ries’ career for the next eleven years after Ries had settled down into the city. First performance of the symphony was a major success and according to a contemporary review, “This [symphony] is one of those works which announce the genius of its author”. Ries was being favourably compared to the likes of Haydn, Mozart and Beethoven.

Ries’s Symphony in F major No. 4, Op. 110 was composed in London in 1818 and, like Op. 112, published in Leipzig by Breitkopf und Härtel in 1823. The symphony, for reasons unknown, did not receive a success similar to his 5th Symphony. In today’s context in this work Ries reveals himself to be a symphonist thoroughly deserving of the praise lavished on him after the premiere of Op. 112 five years earlier.

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 Ries: Symphonies Nos. 4 & 5