Nikolai Medtner - Violin Sonata No. 1, 2, 3

Nikolai Medtner

Violin Sonata No. 1 In B minor, op. 21 

Apparently, Medtner wrote this sonata with Bacchus in mind, and I can see that in the second movement. I can imagine Ancient Greeks dancing, celebrating, drinking, and singing to each other for some happy occasion. But that is not my first impression of this work.
The first movement is very meditative, and I'd say it's deceptive to think the sonata in B minor, because it doesn't stay in the minor for long. In the introduction, he proposes a bit of a musical argument that is solved by the end of the work. In this movement, Medtner presents his amazing ability to do so much with so little, for out of one simple melody and chord progression [1:40 -], he develops an embellishment that fits perfectly into the music [5:25 -]

The second movement is happy, almost childish in nature. We get a fun little dance, melodies intertwining and jumping from the piano to the violin and vice versa. It ends with a little musical joke of rushed scales and quick chords, a bit disappointing after the buildup, but still puts a smile on the listener's face.

The last movement feels grand in scale, despite the fact it's only about seven minutes long. We start with bell chimes, then the violin introduces a rustic dance. Again, only major keys here. The music develops until near the end, we get melodies from the first two movements, breezing through like the wind. The work drifts off into a nostalgic reverie.

Someone once asked me what piece of music would I say reflects myself. I chose this one.

Played by: Laurence Kayaleh and Paul Stewert

Violin Sonata  in G major No.2, Op.44

00:00 Introduction. Allegro non troppo, ma appassionato
16:58 Cadenza 1
17:57 Tema con variazione
27:33 Cadenza 2. Finale. Rondo


Alexander Labko, violin
Evgeny Svetlanov, piano

Recorded in 1968

Sonata No. 3 "Epica" in E minor for violin and piano, Op. 57

1. Introduzione - Allegro
2. Scherzo: Allegro molto vivace et leggiero (15:54)
3. Andante con moto (23:19)
4. Finale: Allegro molto (32:02)

David Oistrach, violin
Alexander Goldenweiser, piano

rec. 1959