A New Romantic Composer

Nicolau Medina Ribas was born in 1832 in Madrid and died in Porto in 1900. A great violinist of his time, he also dedicated a significant part of his life composing for the violin. He was a student of Charles de Bériot at the Brussels Conservatoire. In 1871 he played the 9th Concerto of his master at S. Carlos Theatre in Lisbon which received great acclaim. Two years later he was considered by the press as "the most distinguished violin Professor in Portugal".

His work comprises two distinct types of compositions: the caprices for solo violin and pieces with piano accompaniment. Unfortunately his works remain unknown for the public, but efforts are being made to reverse the present situation.

Numerous works were found at the Music Conservatory in Porto, at the Coimbra University Library and at the Giuseppe Verdi Music Conservatoire in Italy. The violin pieces with piano accompaniment are the following: Le Passioné, Romance Élégiaque, Deuxième, La Plainte, Le Délire, Lamento Saudoso, Adelaide, Duas Nuvens, Amizade, Souvenir d'Amitié, La Precieuse, Il Saltarelo, Il Carnavale d'Oporto and Pene del Cuore. The violin caprices or, as they are named, Préludes-Etudes, are divided in three groups: Six Préludes-Études pour Violon op.33, Hommage a Sa Majesté Don Luis I, Roi du Portugal, and dedicated to his pupils; Six Péludes-Etudes dedicated to the Portuguese press and Six Préludes Impromptus op.26 dedicated to his teacher Charles de Bériot.

The violin etudes are characterized by their virtuosity, making them a real challenge to the performer. The composer's writing his often very intricate, technically demanding and complex, sometimes repetitive and even obsessive. Nevertheless many of them are also melodically expressive and possess a declamatory quality. The accompanied violin pieces have different characters amongst them: some have pouring beautiful melodies, where the music expresses the most intense romantic feelings (for instance the Souvenier d'Amitié dedicated to Charles Marie Widor); others are light, humorous, elegant and graceful (for instance La Précieuse).

These are works that I deeply believe deserve being brought to life once again. Extremely interesting, the composer's music is an artistic challenge to any violinist and for sure delightful to audiences.