Posted by Giacomo on November 05, 1998 at 16:20:07:

In Reply to: Re: Nicolai Medtner - one of the greats of the century, but will anyone care? posted by Ross on November 02, 1998 at 23:36:01:

: Why, yes, Giacomo, I do admire Medtner. His piano concertos are magnificent (try Tozer and Jarvi on Chandos; I also have a recording of Medtner himself performing the Second, on Testament). He was a good friend of Rachmaninoff, but did not share the romantic master's enthusiasm for "big" melodies. Granted, once you get inside Medtner's idiom he is hard to shake. The sonatas are haunting works. But I'm not sure he will ever be more than a "specialty" composer, of interest mostly to collectors and musicians (and maharajahs). This is not necessarily a criticism against Medtner. The rabble just enjoys a little vulgarity in their clics -- and Medtner has none of that!

I fear that you are right... his idiom is quite subtle, making his music more difficult to 'grasp' than that of Rachmaninov.. Perhaps his piano music could earn a place in the standard repertoire though.. the "Forgotten Melodies" (aptly named aren't they?) are certainly worth hearing.. and even the rabble could handle them. :)
I have not heard the Jarvi recordings, though I have often looked at them longingly in the shops.. I have the Hyperion recording with Demidenko of the 2nd and 3rd concertos. I'll probably get the companion disc of the 1st, as it also comes with Medtner's Piano Quintet.
Do you know the violin sonatas? There are a few recordings of them, but I have not gotten around to them yet..

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: : Why, yes, Giacomo, I do admire Medtner. His piano concertos are magnificent (try Tozer and Jarvi on Chandos; I also have a recording of Medtner himself performing the Second, on Testament). He was a good friend of Rachmaninoff, but did not share the romantic master's enthusiasm for "big" melodies. Granted, once you get inside Medtner's idiom he is hard to shake. The sonatas are haunting works. But I'm not sure he will ever be more than a "specialty" composer, of interest mostly to collectors and musicians (and maharajahs). This is not necessarily a criticism against Medtner. The rabble just enjoys a little vulgarity in their clics -- and Medtner has none of that! : I fear that you are right... his idiom is quite subtle, making his music more difficult to 'grasp' than that of Rachmaninov.. Perhaps his piano music could earn a place in the standard repertoire though.. the "Forgotten Melodies" (aptly named aren't they?) are certainly worth hearing.. and even the rabble could handle them. :) : I have not heard the Jarvi recordings, though I have often looked at them longingly in the shops.. I have the Hyperion recording with Demidenko of the 2nd and 3rd concertos. I'll probably get the companion disc of the 1st, as it also comes with Medtner's Piano Quintet. : Do you know the violin sonatas? There are a few recordings of them, but I have not gotten around to them yet..

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