Ries & Erler

Franz Ries (1846–1932) co-founder

Waltraud Ries (ca. 1920-1968) rebuilder of the firm in 1945-68

Typical cover (ca.1880)

Typical color title page (1914)

History

In 1881, the violinist and composer Franz Ries (1846–1932) (son of Hubert Ries (1802–1886)) founded, together with the publisher Hermann Erler (1844–1918), the music publishing house 'Ries & Erler' in Berlin. Both had managed their own publishing houses: Ries managed F. Ries since 1875, and Erler managed Hermann Erler since 1873, producing many of Hubert Ries's works.

The new firm’s first successes were Heinrich Hofmann's opera "Ännchen von Tharau" and Hermann Fliege's "Circus Renz-Gavotte". Franz Ries put some of his own works in the catalog: the ever-popular violin pieces "Perpetuum mobile" from Suite No.3, Op.34 and "La Capricciosa".

After Erler’s death Franz Ries continued the business alone, and proceeded to take over smaller publishers such as M. Schloss of Cologne, Voigt of Kassel, E.F. Hientzsch of Breslau and R. Sulzer, Hermann Loffler and Jatho from Berlin. The following composers entered the catalog: Walter Braunfels, Siegmund von Hausegger, Engelbert Humperdinck, Hugo Kaun(("Sir John Falstaff"), Hans Pfitzner ("Käthchen von Heilbronn", songs) and Emil von Reznicek (Sinfonische Suite). The firm’s continuing interest in the violin was shown by the publication of many studies by Carl Flesch.

In 1924 Franz Ries passed the management to his son Robert who took an interest in contemporary composers: Theodor Berger (Streichquartett, "Rondino giocoso"), Harald Genzmer (1909-2007)(Konzert für Trautonium und Orchester Nr.1, Erste Sonate für Flöte und Klavier), Walter Jentsch, Mark Lothar ("Kleine Theater-Suite" und Oper "Till"), Heinz Schubert, Karl Heinz Taubert, Heinz Tiessen (Hamlet-Suite, Amsel-Septett) and Grete von Zieritz (Japanische Lieder, Bilder vom Jahrmarkt).

From 1942 on the latter's two daughters, Waltraud and Ingrid, became proprietors of the publishing house. Waltraud especially worked with great dedication to learn the business, at first relying on colleagues because of her youth and lack of experience, and abandoning plans to enter university.

During the last days of World War II the home of the company on the Kurfurstendamm in Berlin was destroyed in the battle for Berlin, on May 1st 1945, and 60 years of archives and plates perished. Many similar firms never restarted, but Waltraud had the vision and determination to rebuild the firm she loved, obtaining a business license in 1948, and starting by reprinting favorite titles.

In the 50s and 60s new composers joined the catalog: Erwin Dressel (Clarinet concerto, "Partita" for saxophone and piano), Werner Eisbrenner, Friedrich Metzler(2nd symphony), Franz Reinl (Mixtum compositum for orchestra).

Popular music was not forgotten, especially with the acquisition of Wilke & Co. Berlin, so that alongside new works by Hans Bund, Hanns Kallies, Edmund Kötscher Willi Löffler and others, new arrangements of pre-war favorites by Jo Knümann and Josef Rixner were published.

After Waltraud Ries's death in 1968 Ingrid Meurer, Waltraud's sister, continued with the business. In 1997 her son Andreas Meurer took over the publishing house.

In the 1990s the company bought the contemporary E-Musik publisher Edition Corona, Berlin (1993) and the long-standing Berlin publisher Hermann Löffler(1997). Today the company's focus is among others on contemporary music, educational works especially for the violin (Carl Flesch, Zakhar Bron, Ramin Entezami),along with music for children and family use, and symphonic music of the 19th century. An unusual speciality is music for silent films.

(A note on founding: there are several sources which say of this or that score, "Published by Robert Seitz (date before 1881) (later Ries & Erler)", etc. The background: the Seitz catalogue was first transferred to G.B. Wagner in January 1879, and then to F. Ries in July 1879, and finally to Ries & Erler in 1881.)

Editions

• Recently: Editions of symphonies and other works, including a number of Complete Works series - for example the complete works, orchestral works, or symphonies of Wilhelm Furtwängler, Ferdinand Ries, Franz Krommer and others. Some of these works are published in full score for the first time, some for the first time at all. Quite a few perhaps notable Gesamtausgabe(n) on the Ries & Erler imprint/from their publishing house in the last few decades.

Imprints, Addresses, Agencies

Plate Numbers

Ries & Erler's plate numbers appear in the format of #### or R. #### E. Reprints of F. Ries editions might preserve their original format (F #### R), but see below for more detail. Dates in italics are estimated.

Note about Hermann Erler reprints: Ries & Erler reprints of Hermann Erler editions typically re-use the plate number, either in the same format (###) or with R. ### E. Since there were fewer than 1000 Erler plates (probably around 950), Ries & Erler plate numbers less than around 950 should be considered as possible reprints.

Note about F. Ries reprints: Ries & Erler reprints of F. Ries editions either reuse the plate number and format (F ### R), or they might take the number, add 1000, and use the R ### E format. As an example of the latter case, plate F. 330 R would translate to R. 1330 E. As a result, if the Ries & Erler plate number falls within the (approximate) range 1001–1840, it might be a reprint of F. Ries.

Authority control

• VIAF (Ries & Erler (Firm))

Links

• Company website
• Scores published by Ries & Erler