Medtner Piano Concerto no. 3 op. 60 query

[furtwaengler]

Hello,

Does anybody here have a list of the instrumentation in Medtner's 3rd? Mr. Hinton perhaps? I know you've cadenza(ed) it. 

Thanks,

Dave

[thalbergmad]

2 Flauti
2 Oboi
2 Clarinetti (A)
2 Fagotti
4 Corni (F)
2 Trombe
Tuba
Timpani
Piano
Violini I
Violini II
Viole
Violoncelli
Contrabassi
Banjo

Thal

[furtwaengler]

Thank you sir; very much appreciated! We've got everything except the banjo...would you be willing to help us out, Thal?   

[thalbergmad]

But of course.

I have only ever heard this concerto once as played by Madge and it did not do a great deal for me.

Is there a superior recording of this??

Thal

[ahinton]

2 Flauti
2 Oboi
2 Clarinetti (A)
2 Fagotti
4 Corni (F)
2 Trombe
Tuba
Timpani
Piano
Violini I
Violini II
Viole
Violoncelli
Contrabassi
Banjo

Thal

I cannot help but think (for some entirely unaccountable reason) that you might be having a little joke at someone's expense here. That said, I saly have not had my score of the concerto for some years and cannot confirm the details of its orchestral forces so perhaps, Thal, you might care to come clean and let member furt know if the remainder of your listing (other than the banjo, that is) is genuine or just all part of your little ruse...

Best,

Alistair

[furtwaengler]

I haven't heard Madge. I really like Demidenko's recording on the Hyperion "The Romantic Concerto" series, as well as the composers own. It's not a concerto that endeared itself to me on first listen...in fact it took several listens, and this is a mystery that is Medtner.

[thalbergmad]

Thal, you might care to come clean and let member furt know if the remainder of your listing (other than the banjo, that is) is genuine or just all part of your little ruse...

No jokes apart from the banjo sir. I copied it from the score.

Does something not look right??

Thal

[furtwaengler]

I know there's a tuba, and I'm surprised there are no trombones, but I am inclined to believe.

[thalbergmad]

I haven't heard Madge. I really like Demidenko's recording on the Hyperion "The Romantic Concerto" series, as well as the composers own. It's not a concerto that endeared itself to me on first listen...in fact it took several listens, and this is a mystery that is Medtner.

Amazingly, i have the disk but just filed it without listening to it.

I am a silly boy.

Thal

[retrouvailles]

Get the Geoffrey Tozer recording. Couple that with Medtner's own and you won't need another recording of it (well, maybe Scherbakov if he floats your boat). Demidenko and Madge's recordings are travesties, if you ask me. Btw, this is my favorite Medtner concerto.

Also, furtwaengler, here is the correct instrumentation list, copied from the full score:

2 flutes
2 oboes
2 clarinets (A)
2 bassoons

4 horns (F)
2 trumpets (B)
3 trombones
tuba

timpani

piano

violins I
violins II
violas
cellos
contrabasses

It turns out that there are trombones and a tuba. Thal, your score must be incorrect, or you copied it incorrectly.

[ahinton]

But of course.

I have only ever heard this concerto once as played by Madge and it did not do a great deal for me.

Is there a superior recording of this??

Try
Hyperion CDA66580
The Romantic Piano Concerto, Vol. 02 – Medtner 2 & 3
Nikolai Demidenko (piano), BBC Scottish Symphony Orchestra, Jerzy Maksymiuk (conductor)
Piano Concerto No 2 in C minor, Op 50  
1  Movement 1: Toccata. Allegro risoluto  [17'32]  
2  Movement 2: Romanza. Andante con moto  [9'51]  
3  Movement 3: Divertimento. Allegro risoluto e molto vivace  [10'57]  
  Piano Concerto No 3 in E minor, Op 60  
4  Movement 1: Con moto largamente  [15'20]  
5  Movement 2: Interludium. Allegro, molto sostenuto, misterioso  [1'37]  
6  Movement 3: Finale. Allegro molto, Svegliando, eroico  [18'30]  

Medtner: Piano Concertos Nos 1 & 3
Konstantin Scherbakov, Moscow Symphony Orchestra/Ziva (Audio CD - 1999)
Naxos DDD8.553359


Nikolai Medtner - The Piano Concertos

Piano Concerto No. 1 in C minor, Op. 33
Piano Concerto No. 2 in C minor, Op. 50
Piano Concerto No. 3 in E minor, Op. 60 'Ballade'
Sonata-Ballada in F sharp major, Op. 27

Geoffrey Tozer (piano)

London Philharmonic Orchestra, Neeme Järvi
 
Chandos 241 - CHAN241-25
(CD - 2 discs)

Medtner's own 1947? recording is available on YouTube (cond. Dobrowen).

Is that enough information for you?!

It's a wonderful piece!

Best,

Alistair
  
Usually despatched in 2 - 3 working days.
 
 
 

[furtwaengler]

Get the Geoffrey Tozer recording. Couple that with medtner's own and you won't need another recording of it. Demidenko and Madge's recordings are travesties, if you ask me. Btw, this is my favorite Medtner concerto.

I have yet to hear Tozer...but Demidenko a travesty? You must explain; I've loved his playing. Also have you heard Scherbakov?

[ahinton]

No jokes apart from the banjo sir. I copied it from the score.

Does something not look right??

I no longer have my full score, sadly, so your joke and the remainder are both appreciated!

Best,

Alistair

[retrouvailles]

I have just edited my post mentioning Scherbakov and the instrumentation. I like his recording, but it doesn't have  the edginess that Tozer or Medtner have. As for Demidenko, I cannot stand his rather hollow tone, which seems to be present in all of his recordings on the Romantic Piano Concerto series. It also doesn't have the glossiness that I think this concerto requires.

[thalbergmad]

I know there's a tuba, and I'm surprised there are no trombones, but I am inclined to believe.

My apologies Sir, there are 3 Tromboni that i left off my initial list.

Thal

[thalbergmad]

Thal, your score must be incorrect, or you copied it incorrectly.

Regretfully the latter.

Good job i am getting me eyes tested tomorrow.

Thal

[ahinton]

Wouldn't Medtner himself have been delighted (not to say somewhat nonplussed); someone has only to mention his final piano concerto and there is an immediate rush to discuss it! Sorabji would likewise have been thrilled to see Medtner getting the attention that he has always deserved.

Best,

Alistair

[furtwaengler]

Thanks very much for the corrected list and comments, retrouvailles. I actually ordered several recordings over the weekend, among them, Tozer's, and I look forward to hearing it. I respect these discussions.