Quick Question - Medtner

[bachmaninov]

Would Medtner be considered a romantic or contemporary composer?

I want to learn his Sonata Tragica as my "Major Romantic" piece for conservatory auditions... but i would like to make sure that it qualifies!

Thanks

[stevie]

someone who died over half a century ago cant be considered contemporary

hes a very late romantic, like rach

[desordre]

 Dear Mr(s). Bachmaninov:
 First of all, let me agree with Mr. Stevie:

someone who died over half a century ago cant be considered contemporary(...)

Anyway, when classifying composers and styles in the 20th century (a very controversial topic), we must separate two basic and huge categories: old-fashioned (late romantic, post-romantic, impressionist, post-impressionist, and so on, i.e., composers/styles with their roots well planted in the 19th century) and modern (serialism, neo-classicism, etc, i.e., composers/styles proposing new trends in composition). Of course, there are many ones that just "mix" both, and hence you probably have a third stream.
 All that I'd write above deals with aesthetics. "Contemporary" is a term related to chronology. The most common sense is "music made in the last 25 years or so", although it is neither precise nor exclusive: it's just an umbrella term for things that we can not properly understand. For instance, in the seventies (last century), the Contemporary music was the post-Second World War one, and to us this definition seems to remain: contemporary = avant-garde (Post-Darmstadian Structuralism in particular). However, nowadays this is quite not the case: how can you say that something made half a century ago is contemporary? I like to consider the historical background to understand the artistic phenomenae, and to myself, our contemporary world begun after the fall of the Russian Empire. Yes, it's very controversial and I'm almost out of our point, but I just want to share my whole idea with you.
 Back home , for auditions/competitions purposes, my advice would be: Romantic = 19th century; Modern = 20th century; Contemporary = second half of 20th century. I do agree again with Mr. Stevie when he says that Medtner is a late romantic, but playing his music in such a situation could not be the best idea. Better playing some Liszt, for instance.
 Hope it helps. Best wishes!
 PS: notice that I have nothing against Medtner's music, it's just about the most normal situation. Of course that you may and can get "out of the rules", but in this case you shall have a wide knowledge of the teachers that will exam you and what do they think about this.

[bachmaninov]

Yes, I could go ahead and play Liszt, or something that 80% of the people who audtion play... A chopin Ballade. But I'm after something really unique, because i feel that playing something that the judges have rarely or never heard gives me a huge advantage.

Currently my repertoire looks like this:

Prelude and Fugue C# Major- Bach (Required Bach)
Sonata Op.81a - Beethoven (Required Classical Sonata)
Ante El Escrorial - Lecuona (Required 20th Century)
Transcendental Etude No. 8 'Wilde Jagd' - Liszt (Required 'fast' Etude)

So that leaves me missing a 'major' romantic work... and since i consider 'major' or 'substantial' something over 9 minutes in length (not a etude)... I wish to choose something almost unheard of, and very impressive. Any suggestions?

[faulty_damper]

The Medtner sonata tragica, in my opinion (informed, educated, knowledgeable [beyond most of the piano teachers of my school - they are ignorant dinosaurs]) agrees that the sonata can be 'classified' as a "major romantic" work.

And musically, I think it's a great piece, although that can also apply to any other Medtner sonata.  I personally like the first movement of his first sonata because of the highly intertwined themes of the exposition which includes a nice desending sequence reminiscent of almost every single heartfelt piece written.   But mostly because the form is much more easily detectable so the jury panel may be able to comprehend it more easily (if you take the repeat).

Also, I agree desordre.  Terms define themselves for the present, not the past.  If you can believe Mozart and Haydn were once considered 'romantic' composers and that Chopin was the first 'modern' composer... well, that just wouldn't make sense to us today but made sense during their times.

[desordre]

 Dear Bachmaninov:
 I think your repertory is very interesting, and if your playing meets the required level of these pieces (and I hope so), the result will be quite good.
 About the MRW (stands for 'major romantic work' ), you touched the milestone: Chopin Ballads (or something in the way). I agree and am very fond with the idea of playing something unheard, as you said (I did it many times). But let me repeat an advice: you must know what the judges do expect (sometimes they're "cardiac"  , not acquainted with surprises...). Of course that you might take the risk on yourself (as I guess you will), and see what happen. In that case, shall I make some sugestions? If you want a sonata, there are brilliant ones by Copland, Tippett and Prokofiev. If you want a selection of pieces, why not "Visions Fugitives" by Prokofiev, or "Vingt Regards" by Messiaen. More or less, the same level of your repertory. However, if you are digging very inside Medtner's one, go and do it! It's always great see someone playing what s/he really loves!
 Best wishes!

[bachmaninov]

yes.. i adore this sonata tragica... and am just dying to add it to my repertoire... but my intentions are for it to count as my 'major romantic' ... however you define it. I don't want to fail an audition for not meeting this part of my repertoire. And I am willing to run the risk! One must always take risks in life... I might regret it, but I also might reach my goal in standing out from the rest.

Now unless you guys find it very foolish to do so, please tell me now before i put more time in practicing it.