Medtner and me (Overture to an epic)

[furtwaengler]

August 12, 2009

I am wanting to post some stuff compiled from the last year(s) (I wanted to call it a season, as this is more the off season). I haven't much time with all these little and big trips and a focus that's not been on music (but recitals in September, in which I've no idea what I'll play...time to get thinking, if still I can't get moving - a pianist without a piano!)

This oddly named piece improvised as a warm up before practicing seems an easy one to post. I had originally intended to pair it with A turbulent tranquility which also performed the function of warming up for practice, and used the same Baldwin in the stuffy little practice room I frequent during "the season." (8/12...This is technically from before the season.)

The name is not to be taken as being like or in the form of Medtner. It is much more in the form of a Rimsky-Korsakov epic like Scheherazade, at least in the sense of an overture (I might have heard a radio production of the voyages of Sinbad in which he's buried alive with his dead wife, per custom of the land.) I had been in the process of choosing a concerto and was looking at all of Medtner's, so in an interesting context for them to show up, there are scattered illusions to some of his themes, contorted in a way...I don't know if someone listening without this knowledge would be quick to think of Medtner. But in other news, I love Medtner, and my hat's off to Medtner...so this is Medtner and me.

The end as it stands is do to my immediate launching into practice following the unresolved 7th. It does not annoy, it seems the overture enveloping a first scene in your imagination. Take it where you wish.  

[rachfan]

Hi Dave,

This is certainly a very ambitious improvisation!  It's quite extended but integrated too.  I didn't catch the allusions to Medtner's concertos, only because I'm not sufficiently familiar with them yet.  I do have Tozer's recordings of them, but need to listen to them more.  But even without that benefit, this piece even has some virtuosic moments suggesting wind and sea spray lashing a boat in a storm.  The performance definitely holds one's interest.  This is one of your best yet.

P.S. You have good courage playing a practice room piano!  Usually schools barely provide for infrequent tunings and put nothing in the budget for regulating actions, which is sad. Is this a grand?  If yes, where the two struts cross near the tuning pins in the place down by low, low E, there should be a model letter in black with the serial number underneath stamped on the plate.  Do you recall the letter?

Where you're a Medtner fan, FYI, my next upcoming recording will be a Medtner piece, but title is under a cloak of secrecy.  But when I post it, all shall be revealed.  He sometimes seems to have tendencies stemming from the Germanic piano literature.  It sometimes feels as though I'm playing Schumann in Medtner's musical idiom.  We'll see how it goes.  My jury is still out.  

David

[furtwaengler]

Thanks for the very kind response, David. I should be very excited to hear your Medtner when it comes. I've actually been looking for a place to program some Catoire in the near future, but it has been difficult. In September I have a duel recital with a Tenor in which I chose about half his repertoire, and he then felt it was fine to choose half my repertoire, which is only fair. Two more small solo opportunities in November, and then a full recital sometime in the spring which may be Faust centered...but so much music I'd love to play!

I'm in my CO home, 1200 miles away from my TN home (haha I don't even own a home). When I get back I will tell you about the Baldwin, a small grand which barely fits in the small, small room.

I think many Russian composers have strong ties to the world of Schumann, and both the Russians and Schumann have been a strong influence I my musical life.

[chopinatic]

I think epic is definatly the right word here, and i agree with Rachfan, one of your best!
The build up of the piece and the harmonies, wonderful music. Strangly beautiful.

[rachfan]

Hi Dave,

I'm going to bet that the Baldwin in the practice room turns out to be either an R, or more probably an M.  

That's great that you accompany singers.  It's the very best way that I know of to truly get the sense of how to play the Romantic era literature for the piano.  I found it invaluable.

If you'll be delayed in playing Catoire, in the meantime my recordings continue to hold the fort.

David