Who was that fabulous Russian composer-pianist of German ancestry named Nikolai Medtner, and what made him so noteworthy as a creator of piano sonatas? Dear Vienna residents, come and learn more this Thursday, May 19, 2 pm, at Universität für Musik und darstellende Kunst‘s Fanny Hensel hall. I’ll be presenting part of my PhD work in an one-hour talk on Medtner‘s Sonata Triad, Op. 11, and G minor Sonata, Op. 22. Would be fantastic to have your company. Entrance to the PhD symposium is free.
Research
Fruits of the Semester Break
The last few weeks have been busy and productive. Wordy Medtner analyses are growing, a fresh wind quintet is currently emerging, and more of my granduncle Günther Bitzan’s music will soon be edited and published. Now awaiting a new challenge in teaching music theory at Hanns Eisler School of Music from next week on.
Begebenheit and Seiltanz
Recently completed: An article on the sociotopical traits of contemporary music (for the fascinating Seiltanz magazine) and an idiosyncratic, anything but contemporary piece named Begebenheit for cello or french horn with piano. May the latter serve as a remedy for the provocation of the former.
Medtnerfest in London
F-sharp major is one of music’s most beautiful tonalities. I’ll be talking about Nikolai Medtner‘s Sonata-Ballade, Op. 27, written in exactly that key, tomorrow morning in a symposium at The British Library, London. This will be part of an exceptional program of talks, concerts, a master class and film screening from today through Saturday, all about Medtner, and with the participation of the finest scholars and performers. Really looking forward to the Medtner Study Day, one of the rare occasions of a research event fully dedicated to this composer’s music. Principal organizer of the Medtnerfest is my dear colleague Sasha Karpeyev.
Piano Sonata Talk in Vienna
Off to Vienna. Will be presenting my thoughts on Russian single-movement piano sonatas tomorrow at the University of Music and Performing Arts. Looking forward to blathering extensively about music by Medtner, Scriabin, Myaskovsky, Aleksandrov, and Prokofiev.