722056289429

Nikola Medtner: The Last Three Piano Sonatas

Benjamin Bertin

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Format: CD

Cat No: ACD22894

Release Date:  16 February 2024

Label:  Atma Classique

Packaging Type:  Digipak

No of Units:  1

Barcode:  722056289429

Genres:  Classical  Solo Instrumental  

  • Description

    Of the 14 piano sonatas composed by the Russian composer Nikolai Medtner (1880-1951), Canadian pianist Benjamin Bertin has selected the last three sonatas for his ATMA Classique debut album. These sonatas represent a contrasting and fascinating portrait of the mature composer at the peak of his powers. In terms of ingenuity of form, diversity of mood and character, and overall mastery of craft, these final works are akin to those of Beethoven, who inspired Medtner throughout his life.

    Benjamin Bertin's playing has been awarded a number of prizes and scholarships throughout his career, including the Bourse de fin d'etudes doctorales (Universite de Montreal), the Marek Jablonsky Piano Endowment (Banff Center), as well as full fellowships from Art of the Piano Festival (Cincinnati Conservatory) and Orford Musique Artist Residencies (Quebec).

    A committed chamber musician and duo partner, Bertin has collaborated with members of the Boston Symphony, l'Orchestre symphonique de Montreal, Edmonton Symphony Orchestra, and Bang on a Can All-Stars in projects reaching across five centuries ranging from Reich to Monteverdi. As a member of Les Solistes de l'Orchestre 21, he performed the Canadian premiere of Pierre Boulez' Sur Incises in Montreal in 2021.

    After studies at Brandon University and Bowling Green State University, Benjamin received an Artist Diploma from Columbus State University where he studied with Alexander Kobrin. He completed a Doctorat en interpretation at the Universite de Montreal under the mentorship of Paul Stewart, serving as his studio assistant.

    Summer music festival appearances include Art of the Piano (OH), Washington International Piano Festival, Clear Lake Chamber Festival (MB), Adamant Piano Masterclasses (VT), Gijon International Piano Festival (Spain), Academie de l'Ete musical de Barachois (NB), and Porto PianoFest (Portugal).



    "Bertin should be applauded for his enterprise in selecting these works for his recording debut. He certainly has all the technical acumen and intellectual control to bring exemplary clarity to Medtner;s often densely contrapuntal textures, and the recording quality is wonderfully warm." – BBC Music Magazine, *****



    "[Bertin] delivers a performance with plenty of impact. This work could easily be programmed with works by Berg or Schoenberg, and Bertin's performance here is a gripping one. The entire album, with ATMA Classique delivering clear sound from Quebec's Domaine Forget Academy, is well worth hearing." – AllMusic

  • Tracklisting

      Disc 1

      Side 1

      • 1. Nikolai Medtner: Sonata romantica in B-Flat Minor, Op. 53 No. 1: I. Romanza
      • 2. II. Scherzo
      • 3. III. Meditazione
      • 4. IV. Finale
      • 5. Sonata minacciosa in F Minor, Op. 53 No. 2: I. Allegro sostenuto
      • 6. Sonata-Idyll in G Major, Op. 56: I. Pastorale
      • 7. II. Allegro moderato e cantabile
      • 8. When Roses Fade, Op. 36 No. 3