Three best Medtner Poems
Medtner’s Poems are all short vocal works set to poetry. He primarily draws inspiration from Russian poets like Pushkin and German poets like Goethe, using their verses as the lyrical foundation for his compositions.
Nikolai Medtner, a Russian late-romantic composer
Insomnia Op. 37 No.1
Insomnia (a poem by Tyutchev) is perhaps the most well-known of Medtner’s often underrated Poems. Set firmly in a minor key, it conveys a bleak, almost hopeless sadness throughout. The simple texture introduced in the left hand at the start persists throughout the piece, mimicking the relentless grinding of train wheels. The buildup and climax are among the most evocative moments in Medtner’s music, overwhelming the listener with emotional and melodic brilliance. The vocalizing section at the end is equally genius, bringing the piece to a proper conclusion through the satisfying interplay between the voice and piano melodies.
2. The Angel Op. 36 No.1
The Angel follows a structure similar to other joyful and celebratory poems, such as The Muse (Op. 29 No. 1). It’s a lovely touch that Medtner leaves the key in C Major—the purest of all keys, reflecting the purity of angels. To open the Op. 36 set, Medtner creates a sense of comfort with consonant harmonies and textures that set a peaceful mood. As the text mentions ‘Satan,’ the harmonies become increasingly dissonant, but they resolve as the angel’s positive force prevails. The climax is undoubtedly the highlight, with the relatively chromatic scales in the left hand contrasting beautifully with the consonance of the singer’s melody. The piece concludes with an eruption into a joyous, harmonious finale.
3. Arion Op.36 No.6
Arion is one of Medtner’s most emotionally complex Poems. The song tells the story of a sailor who sings aboard a ship, only for a storm to arrive, scattering the people on the shore. Eventually, the sailor washes up alone as the weather clears, yet he continues to sing the same song. The calmness at the beginning somehow evokes a peaceful night, with the textures resembling gentle waves. The climax during the storm is one of the most tumultuous and complex passages Medtner has ever written, with constant shifts in mood and intensity. The emotional depth of the piece is fully realized when the sun returns: although the sailor sings the same song, amidst the joy and brightness of the major key, there is an unmistakable sadness beneath it all. I’ve never heard a piece that blends happiness and sorrow so seamlessly.
