As part of the festival dedicated to the music of enigmatic Russian composer-pianist of the Silver Age Nikolay Medtner (1880-1951), Pushkin House gathers together Medtner-enthusiasts from around the globe.
The soloist of the Royal Opera House, Sofia Fomina will present several songs by the composer, whom Rachmaninov considered ‘the greatest of our time’! She will be joined by Pushkin House’s music curator Alexander Karpeyev. International soloists Vasily Gvozdetsky (Berlin) and Frank Huang (Miami University, U.S.A.) will play Medtner’s Tales and Sonatas. A group of leading British chamber musicians will deliver the UK premiere of an arrangement of Medtner’s Tale for a trio and finish the concert with a performance of a piano quartet by Medtner’s friend, the forgotten Russian composer George Catoire (1861-1926).
This concert is preceded by a talk and masterclass with a renowned Medtner expert Iain Burnside.
Programme:
N. Medtner (1880-1951)
From 3 Märchen, Op. 9:
No. 2 arranged for piano trio by A. Krein UK PREMIERE
From 2 Märchen, Op. 14:
No. 2 in E minor, 'Rittersug'
From 3 Novellen, Op. 17:
Novella, No. 1 in G
Tale in d minor (1915)
From Vergessene Weisen, Op. 39:
Canzona Matinata
Sonata-Tragica
From 3 Märchen (Russisches Märchen), Op. 42:
No. 1 in F Minor
From 2 Märchen, Op. 48:
No. 2, Elfenmärchen in G Minor
From 6 Märchen, Op. 51:
No. 5 in F sharp Minor
From Romantische Skizzen für die Jugend, Op. 54:
Vögleins Märchen
Selection of songs
G. Catoire (1861-1926)
Piano Quartet, Op. 31 (1916)
Performers:
Alasdair Beatson, piano
James Boyd, viola
Sofia Fomina, soprano
Vasily Gvozdetsky, piano
Frank Huang, piano
Alexander Karpeyev, piano
John Myerscough, cello
Beatrice Philips, violin
Mathew Chan, piano
Dear Friends,
Thank you for your interest in the #Medtnerfest! The aim of this mini-festival is to widen the circle of admirers of the music of the Russian composer-pianist Nikolay Medtner (1880-1951). The music of this enigmatic artist was already well-known in the UK in the 1930s and 1940s. This however changed after the composer’s death. The advocates of his music: Sergey Rachmaninov, Jayachamarajendra Wadiyar, Edna Iles, Hamish Milne, Boris Berezovsky…
#Medtnerfest is the first event of its kind in the UK. Whether you are a deep admirer of Medtner’s music or know nothing about him, come and enjoy the composer whom Rachmaninov considered ‘the greatest of our time’! If you have any comments please leave them using the form below.
I look forward to welcoming you at the festival.
Dr Alexander Karpeyev
Artistic Director