Medtner - Two Tales, op.20

[andhow04]

this is just a non fancy recording of maybe the most popular Tales of medtner, the two from op,.20. the first is a lyrical and dramatic piece in b-flat minor, no title, and the second is 'La campanella,' a superb virtuoso concert piece told 'by the bell, not about the bell.'

i've played these for a while but have a new appreciation for op.20 no.1, medtner's tempo indications are pretty specific but also unusual italian language, and a close reading of those resulted in a new interpretation esp. in the middle couple of pages.

medtner recorded these himself, of special interest is his recording of La campanella, which is so rhythmically hypnotizing. he indicated strict adherence to one tempo throughout, but his metronome marking in the piece (quaver=92) is very slow. his own recording is about quaver=124. i dont' put too much stock in metronome markings but because he tends to be so strict in his commentary, it should be addressed.

also interesting footnote, Heifetz seems to have transcribed no.1 for violin and piano, you can find a recording of him playing that lyrical piece.

[anacrusis]

Great recording! They may be the most popular as you say, but still underrated in my opinion, especially the scond one. I really like Medtner's recording also, it has a great rhytmic drive as you say.

[andhow04]

Great recording! They may be the most popular as you say, but still underrated in my opinion, especially the scond one. I really like Medtner's recording also, it has a great rhytmic drive as you say.

thank you ! i know in europe and i am sure in russia his music is more played but it will probably never really "happen" over here. that said i play what i love and i love many of his pieces. and many left to explore

[anacrusis]

thank you ! i know in europe and i am sure in russia his music is more played but it will probably never really "happen" over here. that said i play what i love and i love many of his pieces. and many left to explore

I'm from Europe and I don't feel Medtner is necessarily that present here. I played one Medtner piece in music college on the suggestion of my teacher. I think he is more popular in Russia though! I see a number of younger russian pianists playing his music. I think his pieces can often be a difficult to get into on the first hearing, which hinders him from becoming more popular. There are many pieces of his that I have tried listening to many times but they don't really grab me. These pieces and the Sonata Reminiscenza are great for sure.

[ronde_des_sylphes]

Great playing. Really nice big tone as well.

[quantum]

Beautiful playing!  Medtner's artful sense of counterpoint really shining in the second piece. 

[medtnerfan]

Awesome playing. Always a joy when you record more pieces by Medtner