The Piano Works of Nicholas Medtner
The music of Nicholas Medtner (1880- 1951) had, until recently, attracted little attention from concert pianists, and the Medtner Society, founded by the Maharajah of Mysore in 1948, proved short-lived. This neglect stems in part from the somewhat reticent personality of the composer, who never sought to project his music before the public in the manner of his friend Rachmaninov and also from an unwavering adhesion to the values and techniques of romantic music in an age which rejected them.
Medtner’s musical style was traditional, insofar as he was at his most assured in the abstract thought of sonata form. He interpreted it however, with freedom and resource, and in his best works there emerges an intense poetic vision wherein lies the true individuality of the composer.
Track Listing
| Second Improvisation, Op. 47 - 1925 | ||
| JW Chester | ||
| 1 | Theme | 2:34 |
| 2 | Var. 1 – Meditation | 1:54 |
| 3 | Var. 2 – Caprice | 1:29 |
| 4 | Var. 3 – Winged Dancers | 2:15 |
| 5 | Var. 4 – Charms | 1:58 |
| 6 | Var. 5 – Fancies | 1:58 |
| 7 | Var. 6 – In the Waters | 1:41 |
| 8 | Var. 7 – Tumult of the Crowd | 1:49 |
| 9 | Var. 8 – In the Forest | 1:00 |
| 10 | Var. 9 – Wood Goblin | 0:30 |
| 11 | Var. 10 – Elves | 1:12 |
| 12 | Var. 11 – Gnomes | 1:09 |
| 13 | Var. 12 – Incantation | 2:15 |
| 14 | Var. 13 – Threat | 2:57 |
| 15 | Var. 14 – Song of the Water Nymph | 1:37 |
| 16 | Var. 15 – Stormy Weather | 2:46 |
| 17 | Conclusion | 1:55 |
| Folk Tales - 1913-29 | ||
| JW Chester | ||
| 18 | E flat Op. 26 No. 1 | 2:44 |
| 19 | E flat Op. 26 No. 2 | 1:38 |
| 20 | A major Op. 51 No. 3 | 3:59 |
| 21 | E minor Op. 34 No. 2 | 2:25 |
| Sonata Idillica, Op. 56 - 1935 | ||
| Novello & Co | ||
| 22 | Pastorale – allegretto cantabile | 3:57 |
| 23 | Allegro moderato e cantabile | 8:35 |
| Sonata Tragica, Op. 39 No. 5 - 1920 | ||
| W Zimmerman | ||
| 24 | Sonata Tragica | 9:57 |