Peter Ritter had already been playing the cello in his childhood together with his father, sisters and brothers. He studied composition and became member of the orchestra of the theatre in Mannheim, became concertmaster and music master and later chapel master. He retired in 1823.
Peter Ritter composed several pieces of music. He was influenced by Haydn and Mozart and followed the Mannheimer Schule.
Concertante E - Major for horn, violoncello and orchestra - first print -
This work was composed not later than 1800. The instrumentation seems to be singular in its choice. The cello part is written in E flat, meaning that Ritter played his instrument half a tone higher in order to receive a more brilliant tune. Same handling is known of Johann Matthias Sperger and his concertos for contrabass.
The published score contains the cello part in E flat, the part for the cello is printed in E as it is usual today. On special request the cello part can also be ordered in E flat.
