Canzona Serenata from “Forgotten Melodies” Book 1, Op. 38, No 6
Russian composer Nikolai Medtner was admired in Russia and in music circles internationally, but he remained unfamiliar to the Western public until the rediscovery of his work in the late 50s. The introspective quality of Medtner’s music is similar to the music of late Beethoven in that its nobility and depth need time to be absorbed. His music embodies the poetic spirit of Pushkin, and it is fused with a mastery of compositional techniques inherited from Beethoven and the harmonic language of German Romanticism. In addition to his piano sonatas and concertos, Tales and Forgotten Melodies are the two major works in Medtner’s output.
Six Tales Op.51, No.3: The word Skazki in the original Russian title translates to “tales” or “fairy tales” in English. Written in 1928, Medtner dedicated his last set of tales op. 51 to Zolushka (Cinderella) and Ivanushka the Fool. In tale no.3, one can hear a lovely melody of Cinderella opening the piece, which turns into a rustic dance derived from a Russian folk tune, suggesting the character of Ivan the Fool.
Forgotten Melodies Op. 38 No.6 Canzona serenata (‘Night song’): Medtner gave Italian titles to his forgotten melodies as a commemoration of the Renaissance art he had loved since his childhood. The first of the three cycles, Op. 38 was written during the winter of 1920 before Medtner left Russia. The musical motto of reminiscence that opens and closes a lamenting song in the Canzona serenata exquisitely captures the mood of nostalgia. It is the most memorable passage in all of Medtner’s music.
Forgotten Melodies Op.39 No.3 Primavera (‘Spring’): Written after Op.38 in the same year, the exuberant opening of Primavera celebrates the blossoming of Spring. Medtner's heart takes wing in this buoyant song, overcoming the grim destiny of himself and his country in a celebration of nature's eternal rebirth.Yingying Su
Classical Music | Piano Music
Nikolai Medtner
Canzona serenata, from Forgotten Motives Op. 38 Play
Recorded on 01/25/2017, uploaded on 01/25/2017
Musician's or Publisher's Notes
Canzona Serenata from “Forgotten Melodies” Book 1, Op. 38, No 6
Russian composer Nikolai Medtner was admired in Russia and in music circles internationally, but he remained unfamiliar to the Western public until the rediscovery of his work in the late 50s. The introspective quality of Medtner’s music is similar to the music of late Beethoven in that its nobility and depth need time to be absorbed. His music embodies the poetic spirit of Pushkin, and it is fused with a mastery of compositional techniques inherited from Beethoven and the harmonic language of German Romanticism. In addition to his piano sonatas and concertos, Tales and Forgotten Melodies are the two major works in Medtner’s output.
Six Tales Op.51, No.3: The word Skazki in the original Russian title translates to “tales” or “fairy tales” in English. Written in 1928, Medtner dedicated his last set of tales op. 51 to Zolushka (Cinderella) and Ivanushka the Fool. In tale no.3, one can hear a lovely melody of Cinderella opening the piece, which turns into a rustic dance derived from a Russian folk tune, suggesting the character of Ivan the Fool.
Forgotten Melodies Op. 38 No.6 Canzona serenata (‘Night song’): Medtner gave Italian titles to his forgotten melodies as a commemoration of the Renaissance art he had loved since his childhood. The first of the three cycles, Op. 38 was written during the winter of 1920 before Medtner left Russia. The musical motto of reminiscence that opens and closes a lamenting song in the Canzona serenata exquisitely captures the mood of nostalgia. It is the most memorable passage in all of Medtner’s music.
Forgotten Melodies Op.39 No.3 Primavera (‘Spring’): Written after Op.38 in the same year, the exuberant opening of Primavera celebrates the blossoming of Spring. Medtner's heart takes wing in this buoyant song, overcoming the grim destiny of himself and his country in a celebration of nature's eternal rebirth. Yingying Su
More music by Nikolai Medtner
Canzona serenata, from Forgotten Motives Op. 38
Tale, Op. 26, No. 3 in f minor
O’er Thee I Bend, Op. 24, No. 5
Tale, Op. 34, No. 2 in 3 minor
Day and Night, Op. 24, No. 1
Twilight, Op. 24, No. 4
Sonata no. 13 in F minor, Op. 53, No. 2, "Minacciosa"
Sonata Reminiscenza in A minor, Op.38, No.1
Fairy Tale, Op. 51, No. 3
Primavera from “Forgotten Melodies” Book 2, Op. 39, No 3
Performances by same musician(s)
Sonata No. 32 in c minor, Op. 111
Fairy Tale, Op. 51, No. 3
Primavera from “Forgotten Melodies” Book 2, Op. 39, No 3
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