Ries, Franz

1846-

Violinist and composer; born in Berlin; son of Hubert Ries; was a pupil of his father in violin and of Kiel in composition, and later of Massart at the Paris Conservatory, where in 1868 he won first prize for violin playing and subsequently appeared in concert both in Paris and London. A nervous disorder compelled him to relinquish a public career, and he became head partner of the music publishing firm of Ries and Erler, in Berlin. He continued to compose, however, and his works are considered excellent, evincing genuine natural gifts as well as thorough musicianship. They include a quintet and a quartet for strings, an orchestral overture, two suites for violin, songs and piano-pieces.