Ferdinand Ries (1784-1838) was born in Bonn and moved to Vienna in 1801, where his life became closely related to that of Ludwig van Beethoven (also a native of Bonn…). Ries studied piano with him, copied his scores and was the interpreter of several new works, notably the premiere of the Third Piano Concerto. Ries also wrote the first biography of Beethoven, an invaluable source of first-hand information. Ries’ style inevitably is modelled on that of his master Beethoven, he was however strong enough to stand on his own. This album presents a substantial trio for clarinet, cello and piano in G minor Op. 28, the equally fine clarinet sonata in G minor Op. 29 and the Sonate sentimentale Op. 169, works in which the possibilities of the clarinet as a solo instrument are used to the utmost, displaying a wide array of expressive means, from the lyrical to the dramatic. Played by Vlad Weverbergh (clarinet), Jadranka Gasparovic (cello) and Vasily Ilisavsky (piano).