Russian composer and pianist Nikolai Medtner was born in Moscow on 5 January 1880. He studied with his mother and then at the Moscow Conservatoire, where his teachers included Sergey Taneyev. He toured Canada and the USA in 1924 and settled in London in 1936, although remaining entirely Russian in his outlook. He gave the first performance of his third piano concerto at the London Proms in 1943. He died in London on 13 November 1951.
Ensemble. Unique Strengths - Ron Bierman listens to music by Billy Childs, Sergei Prokofiev, Nikolai Medtner and Ludwig van Beethoven played by Alexander Malofeev, the San Diego Symphony Orchestra and conductor Rafael Payare
Echoes of Oblivion by Robert McCarney - Going for a Song
CD Spotlight. An Enthralling Issue - Songs by Nikolai Medtner impress Gerald Fenech. 'This fine set includes 54 songs, so there are riches aplenty for one to savour and enjoy.'
Waiting to be Unveiled - Clare Hammond plays new music by Robert Saxton, plus J S Bach, Beethoven, Szymanowski, Adès and Medtner, heard by Mike Wheeler
Full Marks - Bill Newman listens to Nikolai Demidenko
CD Spotlight. Collaborative Effect - Martha Argerich and friends in Lugano, heard by Barbara Sealock. 'Among the recorded gems of 2013 ...'
Ensemble. Superb Playing - Bill Newman listens to a selection of instrumental chamber music in London
Ensemble. A Cross Section - Bill Newman comments on some recent concerts at London's Wigmore Hall
Ensemble. Exceptional Gifts - Lawrence Budmen reports from the 2009 Miami International Piano Festival
CD Spotlight. Fascinating Rarities - Taneyev string trios, heard by Julian Jacobson. '... a performance of real commitment and assurance ...'
Ensemble. Piano meets Sitar - Malcolm Miller at a CD launch of Peter Feuchtwanger's exotic piano music
Ensemble. Luminous display - Jung Lin returns to Lincoln Center, reviewed by Anna Franco
Ensemble. Magisterial Beethoven - A recital by young Russian pianist Denis Burstein, reviewed by Lawrence Budmen
A dazzling recital - Misha Dacic plays Rachmaninoff with soul, admired by Lawrence Budmen