Presents
Nikolai Medtner
Piano Quintet in C Major
Nikolai Medtner (1880-1951) was born in Moscow and studied piano with his mother before entering the Moscow Conservatory, having studied with Sergei Taneyev among others. A first rate pianist, he nonetheless, at the urging of Taneyev, gave up the career as a performer and turned to composition. Medtner stayed in Russia after the Revolution until 1924 at which point he embarked on a concert tour of North America under the aegis of his friend Rachmaninov. He eventually settled in London where devoted his time to composing and teaching. Medtner wrote in what might be called a late Romantic and post romantic style. Unlike Rachmaninov, he did not always try to write exclusively Russian-sounding music but sought to write in a supra national or international style as had Taneyev and Tchaikovsky. But like them, his music does have its moments where it is very Russian. That said, many critics have opined that his music can best be understood as an amalgam of Rachmaninov and Late Beethoven.
Medtner regarded his Piano Quintet as the apotheosis of his all of his music. He began work on it in 1903 and continued to work on it throughout his life, only completing it two years before his death in 1949. It is in three movements and begins with a large introduction which leads to the first theme, a broad and solemn melody. In the middle part of the movement, a second subject is introduced, sounding much like the famous mediaeval hymn Dies irae (Latin for the Day of Wrath, i.e. Judgment Day). This, in turn, is followed by a Maestoso bearing striking resemblance to the Christian hymn Blessed Assurance. The second movement, Andantino con moto, is played without vibrato and is based on the Psalm 'On your name sake, O Lord', a melody which was part of the ancient Russian Orthodox Service. The big finale, Allegro vivace, is longer than the preceding two movements together. It is played without pause (i.e. attacca) after the close of the second movement and is a synthesis of all of the themes which have come before.
Parts: $29.95
