Who was that fabulous Russian composer-pianist of German ancestry named Nikolaj Metner, 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 Metner’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
Früchte der Semesterferien
The last few weeks have been busy and productive. Wordy Metner 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 und 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.
Metner-Festival in London
F-sharp major is one of music’s most beautiful tonalities. I’ll be talking about Nikolai Metner’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 Metner, and with the participation of the finest scholars and performers. Really looking forward to the Metner Study Day, one of the rare occasions of a research event fully dedicated to this composer’s music. Principal organizer of the Metnerfest is my dear colleague Sasha Karpeyev.
Klaviersonaten-Vortrag in Wien
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 Metner, Scriabin, Myaskovsky, Aleksandrov, and Prokofiev.