FORGOTTEN MELODIES (Cahill Smith)

In his debut album, pianist Cahill Smith illuminates the solo piano music of romantic Russian composer Nikolai Medtner (1880-1951), the lesser-known giant whom Rachmaninoff named “the greatest composer of our time.” The Forgotten Melodies are overflowing with drama, lyricism, childlike imagination, and a web of thematic connections that can elicit a sort of musical déjà vu for the listener, sounding at once both ancient and new, both completely strange and intimately familiar.

Reviews of Forgotten Melodies in Concert:

“Mr. Smith was in his element, revealing every twist and turn, every poignant repeat of the cyclic themes, with beautiful shimmering colors I haven’t heard since Gilels played the Sonata reminiscenza in Carnegie Hall in 1980.” (New York Concert Review, in a review of his 2015 recital at Carnegie Hall's Weill Recital Hall) 

“...unexpected gems" "...in Mr. Smith’s hands they were absolutely endearing.” (East Hampton Star)

Cahill completed his Doctorate of Musical Arts at the Eastman School of Music, his Master’s degree at the University of Michigan, and his Bachelor’s at the University of Alabama at Birmingham. He currently serves on the faculty of Lee University.

Nikolai Medtner (1880 – 1951)
Forgotten Melodies, Book 1, Op. 38

1. I. Sonata reminiscenza 15:18

2. II. Danza graziosa 3:33

3. III. Danza festiva 5:46

4. IV. Canzona fluviala 3:05

5. V. Danza rustica 2:31

6. VI. Canzona serenata 4:41

7. VII. Danza silvestra 4:05

8. VIII. Alla reminiscenza 3:11
   
   Forgotten Melodies, Book II, Op. 39

9. I . Meditazione 5:26

10. II. Romanza 4:46

11. III. Primavera 4:12

12. IV. Canzona matinata 4:56

13. V. Sonata tragica 11:06