Nikolai Medtner - Sonata-Vocalise in C, Op. 41/1 (1922)

Sonate-Vocalise C-Dur, Op. 41/1, mit einem Motto "Geweihter Platz" von Goethe (1922) I. Motto: "Geweihter Platz" II. Sonate-Vocalise A sonata for piano and soprano by Russian composer Nikolai Medtner (1880-1951). Apart from a brief invocation based on text by Goethe, the soprano sings a wordless vocalise, rather like Rachmaninoff's famous vocalise or Reinhold Glière's Concerto for Coloratura Soprano. In the preface to the sonata, Medtner wrote: "In performance, it is desirable to achieve the ease and lightness that characterises the tone of a reed-pipe - a quality which trained singers often lack, but which so many untrained peasants possess." Text: Motto: "Geweihter Platz" Wenn zu den Reihen der Nymphen, versammelt in heiliger Mondnacht, Sich die Grazien heimlich herab von Olympus gesellen: Hier belauscht sie der Dichter und hört die schönen Gesänge, Sieht verschwiegener Tänze geheimnisvolle Bewegung. Was der Himmel nur Herrliches hat, was glücklich die Erde Reizendes immer gebar, das erscheint dem wachenden Träumer. Alles erzählt er den Musen, und daß die Götter nicht zürnen, Lehren die Musen ihn gleich bescheiden Geheimnisse sprechen. English translation: Motto: "Hallowed Ground" When with the ranks of the Nymphs that foregather in sanctified moon-night join all the Graces as well, Olympus deserting in secret: here the poet can listen, can spy on their beautiful singing, see their mysterious movement, their silent and secretive dancing. All the glories of heaven and all that the fortunate planet Earth can of loveliness bear now appears to him, waking and dreaming. All this he tells to the Muses. The wrath of the gods to avert, they teach him to lower his voice, modestly secrets to speak. Soprano: Susan Gritton Piano: Geoffrey Tozer