Though born in Germany, Ferdinand Reis, became England’s finest pianist in the first half of the 19th century, his fame linked with a sizeable catalogue of compositions. So illustrious, in fact, that at the age of 40 he had made sufficient money to retire, returning with his English wife to his native Rhineland. He marked the event with his Seventh Piano Concerto, to which he gave the subtitle ‘Farewell to England’, though the happiness of the finale may not have been entirely appropriate. Composed when still at the peak of his career, the outer movements sparkle with crystalline brilliance, with the central allegro enjoying peaceful beauty. It makes for a readily attractive score, its attraction here enhanced by a scintillating account from the young Austrian-born Christopher Hinterhuber, his ability to make runs sparkle like finely cut diamonds bringing vitality to the work’s abundant filigree bringing vitality. He, and conductor Uwe Grodd seize the mood of the period and exactly strike the appropriate tempos, adding a degree of pensiveness at the close of the allegro. Six years earlier, in 1817, Ries created the ingenious Grand Variations on ‘Rule Britannia’,the familiar chorus not heard in full until the score has run its course for a few minutes. It’s a fun piece offering the soloist a display of virtuosity that Liszt would have envied. Rather less showy, but equally demanding on the soloist, the Introduction et Variations Brillantes, is a simple theme and four variations, based on the song Soldier, soldier will you marry me. Throughout the disc the Royal Liverpool Philharmonic show they are presently in exceedingly fine form. An immaculately balanced recording most highly recommended.
David Denton, David’s Review Corner, March 2009