Customer Reviews

Catoire: Piano Music

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Georgy L'vovich Catoire (1861-1926) was in fact a barely known Russian composer. An almost exact contemporary of Sergei Lyapunov (1859-1924), Catoire was little mentioned in most Western literature (but the opposite was true in writings of experts on Russian music (such as Boris Asaf'yev, M.D. Calvocoressi, etc). Like Lyapunov, Catoire expanded Russian pianism after the era of Tchaikovsky and Balakirev and the result was influential and longlasting.

Catoire's piano works on this disc display a wonderful combination of French and Russian idioms (Catoire's parents were French). Where I detect Balakirev, Tchaikovsky, and even Rubinstein in Caprice, the Intermezzo, and even in the Prelude, Saint-Saens and Massenet prop up in other works, especially in Cinq Morceaux. While Catoire certainly shares some of the passion of Massenet (like in the Capriccioso movement of Cinq morceaux), he shares the nobleness of Faure and even Delibes (indeed the reflective, tranquile, meditative qualities are present in other pieces such as the Quatre morceaux and Chants du crepuscule). The works on this disc are truly representatives of Catoire's wide range of talents and skills as a composer, especially of works for pianoforte.

Hyperion, like Olympia and Chandos, is again living up to its' reputation by issuing lesser known works (of some obscured composers). For those like myself who dread upon listening to the overexposed, this CD is indeed a welcome. The pianist Marc-Andre Hamelin, who gave us exhilarating and commanding performances of Roslavets piano works (under Hyperion) really came up huge in this survey. Marc Andre-Hamelin avoids over-indulgence and represent Catoire's works with an euphonious sense of passion and immaculation. There's nothing shallow here. But there's the depth and substance in Marc Andre-Hamelin's virtuosic playing. Catoire's piano works, therefore, sound meaningful and with substance. I look forward to more Hyperion's installments of Catoire's other obscured works. May I hope that soon there will be works of Lyapunov on Hyperion, especially his piano concerti and solo piano works held with high esteem in Russia and abroad?

Warmly recommended!

Georgy Catoire (1861-1926) has got to be one of the least known composers that Marc-André Hamelin has explored to date. When you hear his music, you will most likely be at a loss to explain his obscurity. True, his music is not revolutionary in any way that resembles his better known Russian comptemporairies. His use of harmony is quite sophisticated, with many ear-catching modulations, but this will go largely unnoticed by the casual listener. What will be noticed is the music's refinement, charm, and memorable melodies, as well as the considerable challenges it presents to the performer, both musically and technically. Those who enjoy Scriabin's early piano works will probably find much to enjoy in Catoire's music, as it possesses numerous superficial similarities. The Scriabin similarity is mentioned in the CD booklet, but another similarity that kept grabbing my ear as I listened, but is not mentioned anywhere in the program notes is Fauré. I adore Fauré, and I found much that Catoire wrote to be very similar to Fauré in its subtly perfumed harmonies, elegant melodies, and keyboard writing style, particularly Fauré's early Nocturnes, Barcarolles, and Impromptus. Perhaps this is not as surprising as it sounds given that Catoire was born in Russia to parents of French heritage. In any case, whatever the influences and/or similarities may be, Catoire has a unique and individual voice, if not ground-breaking, and his deliciously beautiful piano music really deserves to be heard and played. Marc-André Hamelin's usual strengths are abundantly on display here. One could argue that this is some of his finest playing on record. His playing is at all times highly refined, sensitive, and elegant, and when called for robust, charming, ardent, reticent, and technically dazzling. However, on the whole, Catoire piano music, like that of Fauré, is very pianistically challenging but rarely gives in to obvious virtuoso display. I seriously doubt that anyone who enjoys early Scriabin and Fauré and/or who is an admirier of Mr. Hamelin will be disappointed with this disc. Pleasantly surprised perhaps, but not disappointed.

Catoire was a composer of a modest and outwardly conservative nature. His music is pretty much in standard form, only highly spiced and enriched, with romantic tows beneath shimmering surfaces, filled with explosive whimsey, and startling twists and turns in both harmony and rhythm; it's increasingly haunting and seductively individual, guided by a constantly evolving and personal voice. Needless to say, time had nearly forgotten Catorie, thus generating Hamelin's advocacy and eventual champion-ship, culminating in this superlative disc. As can be expected, every pieces receives an immaculate, sensitive, and affectionate performance... Superb sound and presentation. This disc will prove itself worthy of multiple, multiple listenings.

Once again Marc-Andre Hamelin gives us a disc of interesting fare ignored by virtually everyone else. This combined with his phenomenal technique makes him one of the most reliable pianists recording today for providing a great listening experience.

Here we get 78 minutes of striking music. I agree with the reviewer below that much of this sounds French rather than Russian. In addition to Faure, I hear snippets of Saint Saens and Ravel of all people. (Compare it to some of the Russians Stephen Coombs is recording on this label--Bortkiewicz especially--and the distinction becomes readily apparent. Get the Bortkiewicz, by the way, it's wonderful as well.)

The quality of this music makes me hope that Hyperion is planning to record Catoire's Piano Concerto which Hamelin mentions in the notes (as part of the Romantic Piano Concerto series, perhaps). A disc of his chamber music (also mentioned) would be greatly welcomed as well.

Treat yourself to this disc, and you'll probably hope that someone coming to your town will program some Catoire. Alas, this may be the only place to hear him. Thank you Marc-Andre Hamelin and thank you Hyperion.

Once again Marc-Andre Hamelin gives us a disc of interesting fare ignored by virtually everyone else. This combined with his phenomenal technique makes him one of the most reliable pianists recording today for providing a great listening experience.

Here we get 78 minutes of striking music. I agree with the reviewer below that much of this sounds French rather than Russian. In addition to Faure, I hear snippets of Saint Saens and Ravel of all people. (Compare it to some of the Russians Stephen Coombs is recording on this label--Bortkiewicz especially--and the distinction becomes readily apparent. Get the Bortkiewicz, by the way, it's wonderful as well.)

The quality of this music makes me hope that Hyperion is planning to record Catoire's Piano Concerto which Hamelin mentions in the notes (as part of the Romantic Piano Concerto series, perhaps). A disc of his chamber music (also mentioned) would be greatly welcomed as well.

Treat yourself to this disc, and you'll probably hope that someone coming to your town will program some Catoire. Alas, this may be the only place to hear him. Thank you Marc-Andre Hamelin and thank you Hyperion.

My listening pleasure was added to greatly by following the score of this elusive music. Nevertheless, one can gain appreciation by repeated hearings.
Catoire is a miniaturist and his melodic fund does not lodge firmly in the memory for long, however like Nikolai Medtner (another Russian of european ancestry)he had an uncommon grasp of form. He sticks to the traditional ABA ternary and does magical things with it. Hamelin's superb interpretation captures the elusiveness of this at times very personal and intimate music.
This composer and this disc are a rare find, one that all serious pianists should take advantage of. There is a veritable treasure trove of material here. The record is almost a complete summary of Catoire's solo piano music.Catoire's music is not just a product of late Russian romantism but a genuine exploration of the boundaries of tonality while mantaining a great rhythmic freedom unlike Scriabin's developing obsessive ideas.

The three previous reviews are excellent, so I just want to comment two pints:

1.- Mr. Hamelin was in Mexico city recently in October 2000, and his playing is fantastic. My favourit pianist along with Mr. Leslie Howard

2.- Mr. Hamelin should play this works in his performances, that way Catoire will start to get the recognition he deseves.

Buy it.