Brilliant Classics has reissued Hamish Milne’s extensive series of solo Medtner discs for the CRD label recorded between 1977 and 2000. The repertoire encompasses a wide range of short works, the spirited Op. 58 Two Pieces for Two Pianos with Boris Berezovsky, and all but two of the sonatas (Geoffrey Tozer’s Chandos traversals of the Sonata Reminiscenza Op. 38 No. 1 and the Sonata-Idylle Op. 56 fill out the cycle).
Milne’s innate affinity for Medtner’s polyphonic rigor and subtle harmonic sophistication communicate through his superb technique and steadfast adherence to the composer’s carefully delineated phrasings, dynamics, and expressive markings. Even in the face of Marc-André Hamelin’s standard-setting brilliance, not to mention Tozer’s compelling mastery, Milne holds his own and then some. In the early Op. 5 Sonata, for example, Milne takes particular care to differentiate Medtner’s simultaneous marcato and legatissimo articulations, and effortlessly integrates the massive Night Wind (Op. 25 No. 2) Sonata’s elaborate tempo changes.
His superb rhythmic equilibrium and immaculate chord balances in the Op. 27 Sonata-Ballada’s difficult finale yield nothing to Hamelin’s awesome proficiency, although greater power and dynamism tip the Op. 53 Sonata Romantica’s Scherzo and Finale movements in Hamelin’s favor. On the other hand, some of the flashier Skazi (The Bird’s Tale Op. 54 No. 2 or the tarantella-like Op. 26 No. 2) benefit from suppler, more incisive fingerwork than in Milne’s Hyperion remakes. In all, an enticing bargain for Medtner mavens.
