Nikolai Karlovich Medtner ： Piano Concerto No.3 Ballade in e-moll Op.60

Medtner’s Piano Concerto No. 3, “Ballade,” is a work shaped by the sombre hues of E minor, in which the piano and orchestra engage in close musical dialogue. The piece unfolds as one large arc, alternating between weighty, tense passages and lyrical, songful episodes. The solo part features rich chords, intricate inner voices, and finely detailed rhythms, demanding not only virtuosity but also deep musical concentration. In performance, careful balance between the individual voices and a clear sense of direction in the long phrases are essential. The dialogue with the orchestra and the work’s dramatic ebb and flow are among its chief attractions.