Menu

Medtner: Complete Songs

Medtner: Complete Songs
Composer Nikolai Medtner
Artist Ekaterina Levental mezzo-soprano
Frank Peters piano
Format 5 CD
Cat. number 97534
EAN code 5028421975344
Release September 2025

Buy online

  • Buy at Amazon

Other buying options

About this release

One of the most important vocal projects of recent years: the complete songs on 5 CDs by Nikolai Medtner, performed by Ekaterina Levental and Frank Peters.
Nikolai Medtner was born in Moscow in 1880. After piano lessons with his mother he entered the Moscow Conservatory where he had lessons from Pavel Pabst and Sergey Taneyev. He won the prestigious Anton Rubinstein Prize at age 20. A younger contemporary of Scriabin and Rachmaninoff he was destined for a brilliant pianistic career but he chose to concentrate on composition. In 1936 he settled in London where he spent the rest of his life teaching and composing till 1951.
Medtner’s style is rooted in the 19th century, full-blooded romantic, with a highly personal harmonic and melodic language, often complex and dense, but hauntingly beautiful. His vocal works fuse intricate piano accompaniments with expressive melodies and poetic texts, often by Goethe, Pushkin, or Tyutchev.
Ekaterina Levental was born in Uzbekistan. She settled in The Netherlands where she studied at the Conservatory of The Hague. She embarked on a successful career as singer, dramatist and theatre producer. Pianist Frank Peters is a highly respected Dutch pianist, both as soloist and chamber music partner. He is an indefatigable champion of the piano works of Medtner.
‘Levental’s soft high notes are truly exquisite, and she can do things with the voice that most modern singers cannot, such as to drain the voice of vibrato for expressive effect. All things considered, she is a virtuoso vocalist of the old school, and such artists are extremely rare nowadays…

“We are very lucky to have a pianist like Peters, who fully understands this dichotomy, as the pianist on this album.” (Artmusiclounge.com).

“Levental has a dark, rich voice, but her pure tone is never burdened by excess vibrato… She couldn’t ask for a more responsive partner than Peters, who reveals an astonishingly deft touch and an uncanny ear for detail.” Fanfare (Volume 1, 96056).

“The phrasing is so perfect, the sense of line so keen, the rubato so natural sounding, that this seems the only way to sing them… this lucidity is due to the purity of Levental’s voice, which she employs with sure intonation and minimum vibrato, as well with an exquisite (but always controlled) play of colour… This is a major release.” Fanfare (Volume 2, 96061).
More Less

Track list

Disk 1

  1. Nikolai Medtner: 3 Romances, Op. 3: I. At the Gates of the Holy Cloister
  2. Nikolai Medtner: 3 Romances, Op. 3: II. I’ve Lived to See Desire Vanish
  3. Nikolai Medtner: 3 Romances, Op. 3: On the Lake
  4. Nikolai Medtner: 2 Poems, Op. 13: I. Winter Evening
  5. Nikolai Medtner: 2 Poems, Op. 13: II. Epitaph
  6. Nikolai Medtner: 8 Poems, Op. 24: I. Day and Night
  7. Nikolai Medtner: 8 Poems, Op. 24: II. Willow, Why do You Lower
  8. Nikolai Medtner: 8 Poems, Op. 24: III. The Wave and the Thought
  9. Nikolai Medtner: 8 Poems, Op. 24: IV. Twilight
  10. Nikolai Medtner: 8 Poems, Op. 24: V. I am dumbstruck
  11. Nikolai Medtner: 8 Poems, Op. 24: VI. Should a Smile Gently Brighten Your Face
  12. Nikolai Medtner: 8 Poems, Op. 24: VII. Tender Whisper, Timid Breathing
  13. Nikolai Medtner: 8 Poems, Op. 24: VIII. I Have Come to You, Delighted
  14. Nikolai Medtner: 7 Poems, Op. 28: I. Unexpected Rain
  15. Nikolai Medtner: 7 Poems, Op. 28: II. I Can’t Listen to This Birdsong
  16. Nikolai Medtner: 7 Poems, Op. 28: III. Butterfly
  17. Nikolai Medtner: 7 Poems, Op. 28: IV. Heavy, Dark and Faded
  18. Nikolai Medtner: 7 Poems, Op. 28: V. Peace in Springtime
  19. Nikolai Medtner: 7 Poems, Op. 28: VI. I Sit Deep in Thought and Alone
  20. Nikolai Medtner: 7 Poems, Op. 28: VII. Lord, Send Your Comfort
  21. Nikolai Medtner: 7 Poems after Pushkin, Op. 29: I. Muse
  22. Nikolai Medtner: 7 Poems after Pushkin, Op. 29: II. The Singer
  23. Nikolai Medtner: 7 Poems after Pushkin, Op. 29: III. Night Piece
  24. Nikolai Medtner: 7 Poems after Pushkin, Op. 29: IV. The Horse
  25. Nikolai Medtner: 7 Poems after Pushkin, Op. 29: V. Elegy
  26. Nikolai Medtner: 7 Poems after Pushkin, Op. 29: VI. The Rose
  27. Nikolai Medtner: 7 Poems after Pushkin, Op. 29: VII. Incantation

Disk 2

  1. Nikolai Medtner: 6 Poems, Op. 32: I. The Echo
  2. Nikolai Medtner: 6 Poems, Op. 32: II. Retrospect
  3. Nikolai Medtner: 6 Poems, Op. 32: III. Message
  4. Nikolai Medtner: 6 Poems, Op. 32: IV. I Loved You Well
  5. Nikolai Medtner: 6 Poems, Op. 32: V. Waltz
  6. Nikolai Medtner: 6 Poems, Op. 32: VI. To a Dreamer
  7. Nikolai Medtner: 6 Poems after Pushkin, Op. 36: I. The Angel
  8. Nikolai Medtner: 6 Poems after Pushkin, Op. 36: II. The Faded Flower
  9. Nikolai Medtner: 6 Poems after Pushkin, Op. 36: III. When Roses Fade
  10. Nikolai Medtner: 6 Poems after Pushkin, Op. 36: IV. Spanish Romance
  11. Nikolai Medtner: 6 Poems after Pushkin, Op. 36: V. Night
  12. Nikolai Medtner: 6 Poems after Pushkin, Op. 36: VI. Arion
  13. Nikolai Medtner: 5 Poems, Op. 37: I. Sleepless
  14. Nikolai Medtner: 5 Poems, Op. 37: II. Tears
  15. Nikolai Medtner: 5 Poems, Op. 37: III. Impromptu
  16. Nikolai Medtner: 5 Poems, Op. 37: IV. Waltz
  17. Nikolai Medtner: 5 Poems, Op. 37: V. Night Winds
  18. Nikolai Medtner: 4 Poems, Op. 45: I. Elegy
  19. Nikolai Medtner: 4 Poems, Op. 45: II. The Coach of Life
  20. Nikolai Medtner: 4 Poems, Op. 45: III. Song of Night
  21. Nikolai Medtner: 4 Poems, Op. 45: IV. Our Time

Disk 3

  1. Nikolai Medtner: The Angel, Op. 1 bis
  2. Nikolai Medtner: Suite–Vocalise, Op. 41 No. 2: I. Introduction & Song of the Nymphs
  3. Nikolai Medtner: Suite–Vocalise, Op. 41 No. 2: II. Secrets
  4. Nikolai Medtner: Suite–Vocalise, Op. 41 No. 2: III. Procession of the Graces
  5. Nikolai Medtner: Suite–Vocalise, Op. 41 No. 2: IV. What the Poet Speaks
  6. Nikolai Medtner: 7 Songs after Pushkin, Op. 52: I. The Window
  7. Nikolai Medtner: 7 Songs after Pushkin, Op. 52: II. The Ravens
  8. Nikolai Medtner: 7 Songs after Pushkin, Op. 52: III. Elegy
  9. Nikolai Medtner: 7 Songs after Pushkin, Op. 52: IV. Visions
  10. Nikolai Medtner: 7 Songs after Pushkin, Op. 52: V. Spanish Romance
  11. Nikolai Medtner: 7 Songs after Pushkin, Op. 52: VI. Serenade
  12. Nikolai Medtner: 7 Songs after Pushkin, Op. 52: VII. The Prisoner
  13. Nikolai Medtner: Sonata–Idyll, Op. 56: I. Pastorale. Allegretto cantabile
  14. Nikolai Medtner: Sonata–Idyll, Op. 56: II. Allegro moderato e cantabile
  15. Nikolai Medtner: 3 Unpublished Songs: I. Prayer
  16. Nikolai Medtner: 3 Unpublished Songs: II. Epitaph, Op. 13a
  17. Nikolai Medtner: 3 Unpublished Songs: III. Psalm

Disk 4

  1. Nikolai Medtner: 9 Lieder von W. Goethe, Op. 6: I. Wandrer’s Nachtlied II – Wanderer’s Nightsong II
  2. Nikolai Medtner: 9 Lieder von W. Goethe, Op. 6: II. Mailied – Spring Song
  3. Nikolai Medtner: 9 Lieder von W. Goethe, Op. 6: III. Elfenliedchen – Song of the Elves
  4. Nikolai Medtner: 9 Lieder von W. Goethe, Op. 6: IV. Im Vorübergehn – I Roamed the Meadows
  5. Nikolai Medtner: 9 Lieder von W. Goethe, Op. 6: V. Liebliches Kind (aus ‘Claudine von Villa-Bella’) – Loveliest Lass
  6. Nikolai Medtner: 9 Lieder von W. Goethe, Op. 6: VI. Inneres Wühlen (aus ‘Erwin und Elmire’) – Conscience
  7. Nikolai Medtner: 9 Lieder von W. Goethe, Op. 6: VII. Sieh mich, Heil’ger (aus ‘Erwin und Elmire’) – Hear Me, Lord
  8. Nikolai Medtner: 9 Lieder von W. Goethe, Op. 6: VIII. Erster Verlust – First Love
  9. Nikolai Medtner: 9 Lieder von W. Goethe, Op. 6: IX. Gefunden (Epithalamion) – Rooted Firm
  10. Nikolai Medtner: 3 Gedichte von Heinrich Heine, Op. 12: I. Lieb Liebchen – The Carpenter
  11. Nikolai Medtner: 3 Gedichte von Heinrich Heine, Op. 12: II. Lyrisches Intermezzo (Fichtenbaum) – Lyrical Intermezzo
  12. Nikolai Medtner: 3 Gedichte von Heinrich Heine, Op. 12: III. Bergstimme – The Voice of the Mountain
  13. Nikolai Medtner: 12 Lieder von W. Goethe, Op. 15: I. Wandrer’s Nachtlied I – Wanderer’s Nightsong I
  14. Nikolai Medtner: 12 Lieder von W. Goethe, Op. 15: II. An die Türen will ich schleichen (aus Wilhelm Meister) – The Beggar
  15. Nikolai Medtner: 12 Lieder von W. Goethe, Op. 15: III. Selbstbetrug – Self-Deceit
  16. Nikolai Medtner: 12 Lieder von W. Goethe, Op. 15: IV. Sie liebt mich! (aus ‘Erwin und Elmire’) – She Loves Me!
  17. Nikolai Medtner: 12 Lieder von W. Goethe, Op. 15: V. So tanzet (aus ‘Lila’) – So dance Ye
  18. Nikolai Medtner: 12 Lieder von W. Goethe, Op. 15: VI. Vor Gericht (Ballade) – Before the Court
  19. Nikolai Medtner: 12 Lieder von W. Goethe, Op. 15: VII. Meeresstille – Sea Calm
  20. Nikolai Medtner: 12 Lieder von W. Goethe, Op. 15: VIII. Glückliche Fahrt – Happy Voyage
  21. Nikolai Medtner: 12 Lieder von W. Goethe, Op. 15: IX. Nähe des Geliebten – Near the Beloved
  22. Nikolai Medtner: 12 Lieder von W. Goethe, Op. 15: X. Der untreue Knabe (Ballade) – The Faithless Lad
  23. Nikolai Medtner: 12 Lieder von W. Goethe, Op. 15: XI. Gleich und Gleich – Like to Like
  24. Nikolai Medtner: 12 Lieder von W. Goethe, Op. 15: XII. Geistergruß – The Spirit’s Greeting
  25. Nikolai Medtner: 6 Gedichte von W. Goethe, Op. 18: I. Die Spröde – The Flirt
  26. Nikolai Medtner: 6 Gedichte von W. Goethe, Op. 18: II. Die Bekehrte – Conquered
  27. Nikolai Medtner: 6 Gedichte von W. Goethe, Op. 18: III. Einsamkeit – Solitude
  28. Nikolai Medtner: 6 Gedichte von W. Goethe, Op. 18: IV. Mignon – Mignon
  29. Nikolai Medtner: 6 Gedichte von W. Goethe, Op. 18: V. Das Veilchen (Ballade) – The Violet
  30. Nikolai Medtner: 6 Gedichte von W. Goethe, Op. 18: VI. Jägers Abendlied – Huntrer’s Even-Song

Disk 5

  1. Nikolai Medtner: 3 Gedichte von Nietzsche, Op. 19: I. Gruss – Greeting
  2. Nikolai Medtner: 3 Gedichte von Nietzsche, Op. 19: II. Alt Mütterlein – Little Old Mother
  3. Nikolai Medtner: 3 Gedichte von Nietzsche, Op. 19: Heimweh – Longing for Home
  4. Nikolai Medtner: 2 Gedichte von Nietzsche, Op. 19a: I. Heimkehr – Returning Home
  5. Nikolai Medtner: 2 Gedichte von Nietzsche, Op. 19a: II. Verzweiflung – Despair
  6. Nikolai Medtner: Sonate-Vocalise mit einem Motto “Geweihter Platz” von Goethe, Op. 41 No. 1: I. Geweihter Platz – Sacred Place
  7. Nikolai Medtner: Sonate-Vocalise mit einem Motto “Geweihter Platz” von Goethe, Op. 41 No. 1: II. Sonate-Vocalise
  8. Nikolai Medtner: 7 Gedichte, Op. 46: I. Praeludium – Praeludium (Goethe)
  9. Nikolai Medtner: 7 Gedichte, Op. 46: II. Geweihter Platz – Sacred Place (Goethe)
  10. Nikolai Medtner: 7 Gedichte, Op. 46: III. Serenade – Perspective (Eichendorff)
  11. Nikolai Medtner: 7 Gedichte, Op. 46: IV. Im Walde – In the Forest (Eichendorff)
  12. Nikolai Medtner: 7 Gedichte, Op. 46: V. Winternacht – Winter Night (Eichendorff)
  13. Nikolai Medtner: 7 Gedichte, Op. 46: VI. Die Quelle – The Water Spring (Chamisso)
  14. Nikolai Medtner: 7 Gedichte, Op. 46: VII. Frisch gesungen – Vigorously Sung (Chamisso)
  15. Nikolai Medtner: 8 Lieder, Op. 61: I. Reiselied – Song of the wanderer (Eichendorff)
  16. Nikolai Medtner: 8 Lieder, Op. 61: II. Nachtgruss – Accord (Eichendorff)
  17. Nikolai Medtner: 8 Lieder, Op. 61: III. So, What Then is my Name to You? (Pushkin)
  18. Nikolai Medtner: 8 Lieder, Op. 61: IV. If by Life You Were Deceived (Pushkin)
  19. Nikolai Medtner: 8 Lieder, Op. 61: V. Prayer (Lermontov)
  20. Nikolai Medtner: 8 Lieder, Op. 61: VI. An Uneventful Afternoon (Tyutchev)
  21. Nikolai Medtner: 8 Lieder, Op. 61: VII. O my Prophetic Soul! (Tyutchev)
  22. Nikolai Medtner: 8 Lieder, Op. 61: VIII. When What We Proudly Ours Called – Pacification (Tyutchev)
  23. Nikolai Medtner: Wie kommt es? – How Does it Happen? (Hesse) Unpublished
More Less

Wij gebruiken cookies. Door verder te klikken op de website ga je hiermee akkoord. Verder gaan of meer informatie