Franz Ries

Perpetuum mobile op. 34/5

As a musician, Franz Ries (1846-1932) is almost forgotten today: the composer, violinist and 'Königl. Sächs. Hofmusikalienhändler' studied at the famous Paris Conservatoire to be a violinist. Then, the nephew of Beethoven's pupil and friend Ferdinand Ries started a glittering solo career which he had to end soon after for health reasons. From then on, he turned his whole attention to the music publishing business and occasionally even contributed little compositions, such as 'La Capricciosa' or the newly published 'Perpetuum mobile' Op. 34, to the programme of his publishing house. This is the fifth movement from his Suite No. 3 for violin and orchestra (or piano), created around 1870. The little virtuoso piece sweeps by like a whirlwind, hopefully taking only the listeners', not the violin playing performers' breath away!