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
Flute Alors
Marie Nadeau-Tremblay; Corriveau; Milnes; Bursey
Louise Bessette
Jeffrey Stonehouse, Viviane Gosselin, Daniel Anez Garcia, Victor Alibert, Hubert Brizard, David The
Orchestre Symphonique de Laval, Alain Trudel
Arion Orchestre Baroque, Mathieu Lussier, Magali Simard-Galdes, Nicholas Scott, Melisande McNabney
Toronto Mendelssohn Choir, Jean-Sebastien Vallee
Quatuor Molinari
Slava Guerchovitch
Nora von Marschall
Lea Suter
Aart Bergwerff
Ran Jia
Johannes Krahl
Elke Volker
Henry Fairs
