Chance Quote by Marc-Andre Hamelin
![“I think one of the reasons [Nikolai] Medtner hasn't had a chance is that his music needs very, very committed performances. If you play his works passively, the juice of his music is really not going to be extracted - it's simply not going to come out.” quote by Marc-Andre Hamelin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/ac9/marc-andre-hamelin-28368_chance_i-think-one-of-the-reasons-nikolai-medtn_744076.jpg)
“I think one of the reasons [Nikolai] Medtner hasn't had a chance is that his music needs very, very committed performances. If you play his works passively, the juice of his music is really not going to be extracted - it's simply not going to come out.”
About This Quote
Source Interview: Piano Magazine, 2015
Medtner’s compositions demand deep, active engagement from performers to reveal their expressive depth.
In simple terms: His music requires intense, focused playing.
Key Takeaway
Play with full commitment to unlock its power.
Themes
music performance
interpretation
dedication
Mood
intense
reflective
Type
educational
inspirational
When to use this quote
- concert programming
- recording sessions
- music education
- personal practice
Key Concepts
Romanticism
expressive nuance
technical mastery
Questions to Reflect On
- How can you cultivate deeper focus when learning a piece?
- What techniques help maintain intensity throughout a performance?
A Different Perspective
If the performer is distracted, the music loses its impact.
![“I'm particularly keen on promoting this [Nikolai] Medtner piece, Night Wind, because I feel it is a fantastic work that hasn't been given its due yet. Admittedly, it's difficult for both the performer and the listener. The work is quite dense, comparatively long, as these things go, and demands…” quote by Marc-Andre Hamelin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/142/marc-andre-hamelin-28368_active_i-m-particularly-keen-on-promoting-this_3035372.jpg)
![“From [Nikolai] Medtner himself, who I do not think was the best possible advocate of his own works. But that's my opinion: I find him a little uninteresting and cold, sometimes. Also, at first, the thematic material is not of a kind that makes the greatest appeal, but if you keep with Medtner, I…” quote by Marc-Andre Hamelin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/847/marc-andre-hamelin-28368_appeals_from-nikolai-medtner-himself-who-i-do-no_558027.jpg)
