Medtner Sonatas - Dover Edition

[ramseytheii]

I have some questions concerning the sometimes confusing Medtner Complete Piano Sonatas - Series II published by Dover.  Hopefully someone with more knowledge of this composer can help me!

First of all, the very first page in the book is a facsimile of what they call the "definitive score" of Sonata Reminiscenza op38 no.1.  By definitive, I am assuming they mean, final?  As in, the one the prints would be made from.  However I compared the first page of the facsimile with the first page of the pritned version later in the book, and was surprised to see many things missing or added.  For instance, where are the hairpins that are written in the first bars of the Sonata?  And who put those tenuto marks there?
Who decided the tempo was "allegretto tranquillo," when the "definitive score" clearly has the word Allegretto crossed out, and in its place, Andantino con moto, which is reduced to paranthesis in the printed score.  Pedalling marks and semplice are also nowhere to be found in the "definitive score."

It is not made clear whether Medtner added these things later on, or if they are the editing bastardizations of Tozer or Hamelin.

Throughout the entire book, are there asterisked footnotes that read like editor's comments.  Are the footnotes written by Medtner always?  For instance, on page 103, Sonata Tragica, there is what is clearly an editorial comment underneath the footnote, but does that necessarily mean that all footnotes without [ ]'s are written by Medtner?  I'm willing to believe that they are, though some seem to come more from an editor's pen than the composer's.

Also in Sonata Tragica, there are many indications in the expressive text in parenthesis, (a tempo).  Are these all medtner's, or further bastardizations?  Sometimes they seem strange, to hold someone to a tempo when the music seems to be saying otherwise.

I just want to know if I am studying Medtner's text, or some bastardization!

Looking forward to reading the replies,
Walter Ramsey

[quantum]

It is possible that the front page facsimile is only one of the sources used to complie the edition. 

You may wish to check gamingforce to compare the Sonata Tragica with another edition. 

[skazka]

A new website about Medtner may contain the information you need: www.medtner.org.uk

[quantum]

A new website about Medtner may contain the information you need: www.medtner.org.uk

Excellent! Great info there. 

Welcome to the forum.  By your name I'm guessing you are a Medtner fan 

[jre58591]

great site! i know this will come in handy, for i am a huge medtner fan.

[skazka]

Excellent! Great info there. 

Welcome to the forum.  By your name I'm guessing you are a Medtner fan 

Oh yes got hooked after listening to that Op.47