Nicholas Medtner

[springrite]

The Milnes certainly has more sense of spontaneity to it, but I slightly prefer the Hamelin. The Tozer is too soft and lame for the material.

Two surprisingly good recordings are the two piano works (Medtner and Rachmaninov) on Hyperion and a solo recording played by the conductor Svetlanov.

[Wanderer]

...the two piano works (Medtner and Rachmaninov) on Hyperion...

The Alexeev/Demidenko recital of music for 2 pianos by Rachmaninov (Suite No.2, Russian Rhapsody, Symphonic Dances) and Medtner (Russian Round Dance op.58/1 & Knight Errant op.58/2) has been reissued by Hyperion in its budget label, Helios. Indispensable!

Samples, here.

That's the one. It is indeed superb.

[kyjo]

Recently I've been blown away by Medtner's Sonata Romantica in B-flat minor. I have no trouble declaring this as one of my favorite solo piano works ever. It's absolutely sublime. The secondary theme of the first movement, which enters just after the 1-minute mark, is one of the most achingly beautiful melodies I've ever heard. It's one of those themes that sticks with you for days on end. It's so tender, longing, nostalgic, just lovely beyond words. Medtner also knows how to write really effective energetic music too, as demonstrated by the 2nd and 4th movements which have a decidedly jazzy syncopated feel at times. I've sometimes seen Medtner called "the Russian Brahms" or "Rachmaninoff without the tunes" but let me say that is total nonsense. He was a masterful composer, and in fact I must say that I overall prefer his solo piano music to that of Rachmaninoff! Sergei is of course one of my favorite composers on the basis of his wonderful concertante and orchestral music, but some of his solo piano music is a bit elusive to me. Medtner's, on the other hand, speaks directly to me, especially the wonderful Sonata Romantica.

[Wanderer]

Recently I've been blown away by Medtner's Sonata Romantica in B-flat minor. I have no trouble declaring this as one of my favorite solo piano works ever. It's absolutely sublime. The secondary theme of the first movement, which enters just after the 1-minute mark, is one of the most achingly beautiful melodies I've ever heard. It's one of those themes that sticks with you for days on end. It's so tender, longing, nostalgic, just lovely beyond words. Medtner also knows how to write really effective energetic music too, as demonstrated by the 2nd and 4th movements which have a decidedly jazzy syncopated feel at times. I've sometimes seen Medtner called "the Russian Brahms" or "Rachmaninoff without the tunes" but let me say that is total nonsense. He was a masterful composer, and in fact I must say that I overall prefer his solo piano music to that of Rachmaninoff! Sergei is of course one of my favorite composers on the basis of his wonderful concertante and orchestral music, but some of his solo piano music is a bit elusive to me. Medtner's, on the other hand, speaks directly to me, especially the wonderful Sonata Romantica.

I know exactly what you mean. It is a magisterial work, full of invention, gorgeous melodies, complex rhythms and breathtaking drama. His Op. 30 Sonata was known as the "War Sonata", but I think this one may also (and even more so) be deserving of the epithet; the "Romantica" designation might be selling the piece short. Paraphrasing Medtner, its "romantic" status refers to a fantastical world of shadows and light battling darkness, not romantic salons and light-hearted mirth. The theme that you noticed is indeed a sublime, achingly beautiful creation (and it is the otherwise more matter-of-fact Hamelin who manages to present it with the most apt fragrant delicateness, fragility, lilting nostalgia, grace and beauty) and what a stupendous moment it is when the movement ends in a chromatic whirlwind of shattering notes, when the dream ends and we are catapulted attacca to the second movement's carnage. The finale, too, with the ghostly flurries of notes as the work's themes re-appear one after the other in dark reverie and then it all ends in a whiff of frankincense smoke... pure genius.

[Wanderer]

Love this little writeup, and I agree with you in spades. I always thought of Medtner as the Russian Grieg. I find his melodies so tight and memorable (and I have a very poor memory when it comes to melody), so light and airy, and pleasant. I always feel good after a Medtner listening session.

The Russian Grieg, I like that. The Russian Schumann might also be quite apt, if Schumann were more like Beethoven.

[Florestan]

The Russian Grieg, I like that. The Russian Schumann might also be quite apt, if Schumann were more like Beethoven.

Given the Skazki (Maerchen) and the numerous literary-inspired works, Schumann was actually the first name that came to my mind when hearing Medtner's music.

[Madiel]

I still think there's plenty in common with Rachmaninov. One can object to "Rachmaninov without the tunes" as a description without actually dispensing with the Rachmaninov part of the notion.

[Florestan]

I still think there's plenty in common with Rachmaninov. One can object to "Rachmaninov without the tunes" as a description without actually dispensing with the Rachmaninov part of the notion.

No doubt. Rachmaninoff even wrote to Medtner: I repeat what I already said to you in Russia: you are, in my opinion, the greatest composer of our time.

[Madiel]

As mentioned on the WAYLT thread, I'm listening to Milne do the op.5 piano sonata, and I'm loving it. I'm pretty sure I've tried the sonatas before, but that was some years ago. I suspect I'm paying closer attention now (and it's a heck of a lot easier with Primephonic for streaming).

I already have Milne's Hyperion albums of the shorter works, and decided I would try him rather than Tozer or someone else (Hamelin is not available for streaming). It will take me a good long while to finish this new exploration, but if I keep reacting this positively I think more Medtner albums will have to be added to my collection. If anything I think I like this sonata better than the shorter works.

[kyjo]

As mentioned on the WAYLT thread, I'm listening to Milne do the op.5 piano sonata, and I'm loving it. I'm pretty sure I've tried the sonatas before, but that was some years ago. I suspect I'm paying closer attention now (and it's a heck of a lot easier with Primephonic for streaming).

I already have Milne's Hyperion albums of the shorter works, and decided I would try him rather than Tozer or someone else (Hamelin is not available for streaming). It will take me a good long while to finish this new exploration, but if I keep reacting this positively I think more Medtner albums will have to be added to my collection. If anything I think I like this sonata better than the shorter works.

Indeed, the op. 5 sonata is a really strong work. Don't miss the ineffably beautiful Sonata Romantica if you don't know it yet!

[Wanderer]

Saving this from the black hole of the wayltn thread:

Medtner, The first set of Goethe-Lieder, op.6



Some delicious stuff, and also some wild piano parts.

The piano parts of Medtner's lieder are no less elaborate than his solo piano works. Quite astonishing, indeed.

This disc also contains what I consider the pinnacle of Medtner's writing for the voice, as well as one of his best works overall, the Sonate-Vocalise. I don't know if you own the CD or if you're streaming, if it's the latter, the Sonate is in the last two tracks of the album. I mention this because Spotify has it mislabeled as part of the preceding Suite-Vocalise (although the I. and II. numbering in the tracks' titles reveals that there's something wrong going on). It is in two parts, the first being a setting of Goethe's Geweihter Platz. As a standalone lied it is a setting of great beauty, poise and a sense of what could perhaps be described as ecstatic serenity - a mood that is transferred to the second part, the themes and rhythms of which are evolving from motivic and rhythmic kernels already heard in the lied. I think it is an extraordinary creation (not least for being the only vocalise work I know that makes vocalise actually work).

[Wanderer]

As mentioned on the WAYLT thread, I'm listening to Milne do the op.5 piano sonata, and I'm loving it. I'm pretty sure I've tried the sonatas before, but that was some years ago. I suspect I'm paying closer attention now (and it's a heck of a lot easier with Primephonic for streaming).

I already have Milne's Hyperion albums of the shorter works, and decided I would try him rather than Tozer or someone else (Hamelin is not available for streaming). It will take me a good long while to finish this new exploration, but if I keep reacting this positively I think more Medtner albums will have to be added to my collection. If anything I think I like this sonata better than the shorter works.

If you find you're developing a more than passing liking for the sonatas, I'm afraid that getting the Hamelin set will become unavoidable. 🤷‍♂️😉

The Op. 5 Sonata is an extraordinary work and a great favourite. I would suggest you also listen to the interpretation by Lucas Debargue.

[Madiel]

Saving this from the black hole of the wayltn thread:

The piano parts of Medtner's lieder are no less elaborate than his solo piano works. Quite astonishing, indeed.

This disc also contains what I consider the pinnacle of Medtner's writing for the voice, as well as one of his best works overall, the Sonate-Vocalise. I don't know if you own the CD or if you're streaming, if it's the latter, the Sonate is in the last two tracks of the album. I mention this because Spotify has it mislabeled as part of the preceding Suite-Vocalise (although the I. and II. numbering in the tracks' titles reveals that there's something wrong going on). It is in two parts, the first being a setting of Goethe's Geweihter Platz. As a standalone lied it is a setting of great beauty, poise and a sense of what could perhaps be described as ecstatic serenity - a mood that is transferred to the second part, the themes and rhythms of which are evolving from motivic and rhythmic kernels already heard in the lied. I think it is an extraordinary creation (not least for being the only vocalise work I know that makes vocalise actually work).

I'm streaming. Primephonic is generally slightly better at handling these metadata questions, though they do have their own misfires. But I've never really forgiven Spotify for suggesting that the most popular work by Samuel Barber was The Barber of Seville.

But in terms of finding out what versions are available, I'm relying on https://www.medtner.org.uk/  which is fabulously good at documenting recordings.

[Madiel]

If you find you're developing a more than passing liking for the sonatas, I'm afraid that getting the Hamelin set will become unavoidable. 🤷‍♂️😉

The Op. 5 Sonata is an extraordinary work and a great favourite. I would suggest you also listen to the interpretation by Lucas Debargue.

Unavoidable is a strong word... I certainly will sample Hamelin to the extent possible online before making any decisions, but there's enough positive views of Milne to not make a Hamelin acquisition inevitable. I know Hamelin has a reputation for spectacular playing in virtuosic works (and Medtner undoubtedly asks for virtuosity), but Milne is not exactly a slouch!

I'm thoroughly sold on the merits of op.5. Further assessment of purchasing options will wait until I've got to the end of the opuses I don't already own (I have both of Milne's Hyperion albums, one is the complete Skazki which was very difficult to find as a CD and the other is miscellaneous smaller works).

[Wanderer]

Unavoidable is a strong word...

...and utterly deserving. I don't worry, you will get there sooner or later.

Medtner: Violin Sonata no. 3 Epica



Absolutely one of my favorite violin sonatas of all time. Not only is it epic, but it is also sublimely lyrical and infectiously rhythmic - almost jazzy - in places (as in the second movement). His other two violin sonatas are also wonderful.

They are, indeed! Another version of the Third Violin Sonata I particularly cherish is this:

[kyjo]

A few months ago I made my way through this outstanding set:



Medtner's cycle of 10 piano sonatas is certainly one of the cornerstones of the solo piano repertoire as far as I'm concerned, and they are (unsurprisingly) given virtuosic performances by Hamelin. Particular highlights of the cycle for me were the Sonaten-Triade (Op. 11), Sonata-Skazka in C minor (Op. 25/1), Sonata-Ballada in F-sharp (Op. 27), and the Sonata Romantica in B-flat minor, Op. 53. Particularly, the last of these is an astoundingly beautiful work, absolutely one of my very favorite piano sonatas. The third of the Sonaten-Tirade (basically, three one-movement sonatas) also stood out to me for its deeply melodic qualities. The sonata I enjoyed the least is also one of the most well-known (I think?), that is, the Night Wind Sonata in E minor (Op. 25/2). It struck me as being a lot of empty virtuosic bluster with little memorable thematic content. Or maybe I was just tired when I listened to it! Also included are the two sets of Forgotten Melodies, which contain much wonderful music as well.

[Florestan]

A few months ago I made my way through this outstanding set:



Medtner's cycle of 10 piano sonatas is certainly one of the cornerstones of the solo piano repertoire as far as I'm concerned, and they are (unsurprisingly) given virtuosic performances by Hamelin. Particular highlights of the cycle for me were the Sonaten-Triade (Op. 11), Sonata-Skazka in C minor (Op. 25/1), Sonata-Ballada in F-sharp (Op. 27), and the Sonata Romantica in B-flat minor, Op. 53. Particularly, the last of these is an astoundingly beautiful work, absolutely one of my very favorite piano sonatas. The third of the Sonaten-Tirade (basically, three one-movement sonatas) also stood out to me for its deeply melodic qualities. The sonata I enjoyed the least is also one of the most well-known (I think?), that is, the Night Wind Sonata in E minor (Op. 25/2). It struck me as being a lot of empty virtuosic bluster with little memorable thematic content. Or maybe I was just tired when I listened to it! Also included are the two sets of Forgotten Melodies, which contain much wonderful music as well.

To your "good work" list I'd add the Sonata Op. 5, a marvelously Romantic/romantic work. I disagree about the Night Wind Sonata, the very beginning of which has stayed in my mind ever since I first heard it. "Slu-shay-te!" Just awesome!

Rachmaninoff called  Medtner "the greatest composer of our time". Make of it what you will.

[kyjo]

To your "good work" list I'd add the Sonata Op. 5, a marvelously Romantic/romantic work. I disagree about the Night Wind Sonata, the very beginning of which has stayed in my mind ever since I first heard it. "Slu-shay-te!" Just awesome!

Rachmaninoff called  Medtner "the greatest composer of our time". Make of it what you will.

I agree, Andrei, the Op. 5 Sonata in F minor (his first) is a strong and dramatic work which I should've included in my list. I hadn't heard that Rachmaninoff quote before - thanks for mentioning it!

[Symphonic Addict]

Medtner could also be known like the Russian Chopin: all of his works include the piano.

[Wanderer]

A Musicweb review of one of my most favourite Medtner recordings.