THE society heard a selection of music from the largely unknown Russian composer Nikolay Medtner, who was born in Moscow and died in London in 1951.

The programme was in place of the advertised one because of illness.

The presenter, Robin Lim stepping in at short notice, played excerpts from several of the composer’s works including two of his three piano concertos, and six songs, for three of which he supplied the translations himself.

Medtner composed principally for the piano and the voice, and the limited scope of his work might contribute to his lack of popularity today.

He was a contemporary and friend of Rachmaninoff and the second piano concerto is dedicated to him. It was Rachmaninoff who arranged for concert tours in the USA, but these were not a huge success.

After living in Paris for a while following the Russian revolution, he settled in London and lived there for the remainder of his life. These years were relatively successful and productive and it was during this time that many recordings of his compositions were made.

The society exists partly to bring to the notice of its members music by lesser known composers which should be heard more, and Robin's presentation certainly did that.

There is a full programme at the Tourist Office and in the Collector's Room in Endless Street.