Ries & Nisle Chamber Music

Ferdinand Ries
Quartett C-Dur opus 145 nr.1; Quintett h-moll opus 107

Johann Martin Friedrich Nisle
Septett Es-dur

Ensemble Schönbrunn
Marten Root, flute
Johannes Leertouwer, violin
Sirkka Liisa Kaakinen-Pilch, viola
Antoinette Lohmann, viola
Viola de Hoog, cello
James Munro, double bass
Eric Hoeprich, clarinet
Erwin Wieringa, horn
Jane Gower, bassoon

Ferdinand Ries is a Beethoven contemporary who deserves being taken very seriously.
q.v. http://www.musicalpointers.co.uk/reviews/cddvd/RiesQuartetsVol2.html

This disc is superbly played by the Vienna Ensemble Schönbrunn on authentic instruments of the period, which makes a collossal difference to listening. It is however a case of small is best. Marten Root is a quite exceptional flutist; he also contributes a valuable note which puts these two composers in perspective.

The Ries flute quartet is a gem and nearly justifies buying this disc on its own. The other works are pleasant enough, serenade-like, but leisurely and more for background listening than demanding full attention.

Therefore my recommendation is with reservations; indispensible, I'd say, for flutists interested in the history of their instrument. I have not located mp3 on line possibility to purchase selected tracks, which would solve my dilemma.

Peter Grahame Woolf