Recently I had the chance to listen to several performances of choral music by Lili Boulanger, which struck me as extraordinarily beautiful and appealing both in structure and atmosphere. In particular, there were the profound setting of Psalm 130, which I heard in a concert of Cantus Domus Berlin, and Vieille prière bouddhique with Unichor Düsseldorf. In this context I consider myself lucky to participate in performances of Boulanger’s compositions Hymne au soleil, Sous bois, and La source very soon! These pieces are part of an all-French concert programme for mixed chorus and piano, also including music by Francis Poulenc and Morten Lauridsen, and staged by Vokalsystem Berlin, conductor Johannes David Wolff, and pianist Artschi Loyan. So this is a cordial invitation to our »Realités absurdes«, taking place at Martin-Luther-Kirche Berlin-Neukölln on 17–18 February! Please refer to this website for tickets.
An Inconvenient Affair
Some of you might remember my controversial exchange with Theo Geißler, the editor of neue musikzeitung and head of ConBrio Verlag, that started a few years ago. The dispute now took a somewhat disgraceful turn, which I tried to document from my perspective here. Not sure how to proceed.
Medtner January 2: Article
The three piano concerti of Nikolai Medtner, his only orchestral works, belong to the most fascinating yet underrated pieces of the repertoire. Hardly ever discussed in music scholarship, they present an astonishing variety of melodic contours and formal designs. The third concerto even features a narrative dimension, portraying the mythical figure of Rusalka in derivation from a Lermontov poem. My approach to the three concerti has now been published in VAN Magazin, including a number of musical examples. Hope you enjoy the read!
Streaming Releases #3–5
Some more releases of my music are live on all relevant streaming platforms: a solo piano piece, Fantasia come una Sonata, of 2003, as well as two choral works, Maienlied and Erstes Elegisches Gedicht, also composed some twenty years ago. During the next months I will add other pieces in chronological order. Many thanks to all the performers who agreed on making these recordings available! I’d be delighted if you stop by, have a listen, and leave some likes or playlist adds. #streamscometrue
Medtner January 1: Lecture Recital
I have the pleasure of designing a public lecture recital at Robert Schumann Hochschule Düsseldorf, taking place in the framework of the university’s piano music festival of this term, curated by my colleague Tobias Koch.
On Saturday, 20 January, 6 pm, we will present a programme of Nikolai Medtner‘s sonatas and vocal music, centered around multiple references to Goethe’s poetry in the music. I will be performing and commenting on the Sonata-Elegy from the Sonata Triad, Op. 11, and Sonata-Vocalise, Op. 41 No. 1, with soprano Stefanie Kathrin Fischer. The other performers on stage will be Agnes Konnerth, Giuseppe D’Elia, Sofiia Loboda, and Victoria Lucretia Nava. After that, Latvian pianist Sergejs Osokins will include some more Medtner in his guest recital at 7:30 pm. Everybody is cordially invited!