Medtner - Sonata Reminiscenza Op. 38 No. 1 (Kissin, Berezovsky, Tozer)

Medtner's tenth sonata, known as "Sonata Reminiscenza", opens the cycle of the great "Forgotten Melodies". This sonata starts by a beautiful motif, nostalgic, and despairing, marked Allegretto Tranquillo. This motif is particularly popular in Medtner's music, as it is reused in two other pieces from the Forgotten Melodies Cycle 1 ; the Canzona Serenata Op. 38 no. 6, and the Alla Reminiscenza Op. 38 No. 8, an extremly related work to the Sonata Reminiscenza, as it uses this motif during the whole piece, resulting in one of the most beautiful piece ever created. The piece is quickly marked by passionate accents, gradually leading to a tumultuous and more agitated part that intensifies the mood of haunted anguish, culminating in two arpeggiate cries of despair. Medtner continuously searches for colour and intensity here. The obscurity and despair is suddenly and brievly lifted by a brighter and full of hope new theme unexpectedly introduced into the recapitulation. After this theme, the piece slowly return to the tender, depressed and nostalgic atmoshpere of the opening, showing the return to the first situation. This particularly emotional Medtner's work shows perhaps Medtner’s reflection on his own difficult life and imminent departure from his homeland.

The three amazing pianists here all take different approach. Kissin playing is really slow, haunting, and depressing, where as Berezosvky takes a faster and warmer approach. Tozer playing is the fastest of them all, close to Berezovsky, but a little more despairing and nostalgic. I reccomend to listen to all of them, as they are in my opinion the best performances out there.

Pianists :
00:06 - Kissin
16:14 - Berezovsky
27:56 - Tozer