Nikolai Medtner - Piano Works (Ekaterina Derzhavina)

Information

Composer: Nikolai Medtner

CD1:

• (01) Stimmungsbilder, Op. 1
• (09) Sonata Triad, Op. 11
• (12) Three Pieces, Op. 31

CD2:

• (01) Forgotten Melodies, Op. 38
• (09) Forgotten Melodies, Op. 39

Ekaterina Derzhavina, piano
Date: 2008
Label: Phoenix Edition

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Review

Fine playing, even in the face of serious rivals, of rewarding Russian repertoire

Despite many high-profile champions over the years, Medtner’s music remains obstinately on the fringes of the repertoire. But if it is an acquired taste, once acquired it remains equally obstinately in the memory. Which makes this two-CD set such a rewarding collection, the first disc opening with a rare appearance on disc of Medtner’s Op 1 – his eight short Stimmungsbilder (“Mood Pictures”) from 1896-97. Already the hallmarks are in place: unexpected rhythmic ideas, concentrated, intricate thoughts, contrapuntal expertise, memorable melodic motifs, powerful emotions and Russian melancholy – and, as you would expect from a superb pianist, all beautifully laid out for the hands. The Trois Pièces, Op 31, another rarity on disc and also new to me, are likewise well worth exploring.

The remaining items (Sonata Triad and two collections of Forgotten Melodies) are relatively familiar. Here Derzhavina has some serious rivals to contend with, not least Marc-André Hamelin (Hyperion, 10/98) and, in the Canzona matinata (one of Medtner’s most winningly lyrical short works) and Sonata tragica, the composer himself (APR), who brings a freedom and spontaneity to the music that can only come from within. The former offers cleaner textures and (generally) brisker tempi – compare his “Danza festiva” from Op 38 at 4'47" with Derzhavina’s 6'25" – though Hamelin, in his far more leisurely view of the Sonata-Reminiscenza, Op 38 No 1, reveals poetic subtleties that escape Derzhavina. Nevertheless, as all great music encourages individual and differing responses, Derzhavina’s are assured and convincing, amounting to a welcome and distinguished release which, in addition, is very well recorded.

-- Jeremy Nicholas, Gramophone

More reviews:
ClassicsToday  ARTISTIC QUALITY: 7 / SOUND QUALITY: 9
https://www.amazon.com/Forgotten-Melodies-Op-38-39-Stimmungsbilder/dp/B001F1YBOO

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Nikolai Medtner (5 January 1880 [O.S. 24 December 1879] – 13 November 1951) was a Russian composer and pianist. A younger contemporary of Rachmaninoff and Scriabin, he wrote a substantial number of compositions, all of which include the piano. His works include fourteen piano sonatas, three violin sonatas, three piano concerti, a piano quintet, two works for two pianos, many shorter piano pieces, a few shorter works for violin and piano, and 108 songs including two substantial works for vocalise. Despite his conservative musical tastes, Medtner's compositions and his pianism were highly regarded by his contemporaries.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nikolai_Medtner

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Ekaterina Derzhavina (born 1967 in Moscow) is a Russian classical pianist. She began studying piano with Yuri Polunin at the age of 6, and subsequently with Valeria Polounina and Vladimir Tropp at Gnessin School and Academy. From 1993 until 2006 she was teaching in the piano department of the Gnessins Russian Music Academy, then since 2003 has been a Professor at the Tchaikovsky Moscow State Conservatory. Derzhavina has given concerts in Europe, Canada, USA, New Zealand, Japan. Her recordings has been awarded "Choc du Monde de la Musique", "Choc de Classica" and Diapason d'or.
http://ekaterinaderzhavina.com/

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