Catoire: Piano Trio, Op. 14; Piano Quartet, Op. 31 [Import]

Georgi Lvovich Catoire (Composer), Room-Music (Performer), Stephen Coombs (Performer) | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Performer: Room-Music, Stephen Coombs
• Composer: Georgi Lvovich Catoire
• Audio CD (April 12, 2005)
• SPARS Code: DDD
• Number of Discs: 1
• Format: Import
• Label: Hyperion UK
• ASIN: B0007NLHMA
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #311,472 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

15 of 15 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A happy new discovery, January 9, 2006

By 

E. Weed (Houston, TX) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Catoire: Piano Trio, Op. 14; Piano Quartet, Op. 31 (Audio CD)

For those of us who enjoy the late French romanticism of Franck, Faure, Chausson and the like, we now have another composer to consider who wrote in a similar vein: Catoire. Catoire was Russian, but developed more under the influence of Wagner than the Russian "nationalists." His Russian influences included Tchaikovsky and Arensky, and you can hear evidence of those influences on this disc, although my ears hear more of Faure and Franck. (Yet the liner notes mention neither composer as specific influences...so I'm only telling you what it sounds like to me. Catoire was particularly concerned with structure and motivic development, which my ear associates more with Franck/Faure than Tchaikovsky/Arensky.)

If you like the sound world of the chamber music of any of the composers I've mentioned, I'd give this disc a try. Although I've not had it long (it's a relatively new release) I've found it very satisfying. Room Music is an ensemble that includes several names I've seen on other Hyperion discs, including the excellent pianist Stephen Coombs. The playing is lush, in keeping with the style, but reserved, which suits me fine. The sound is up to the usual Hyperion standard. Recommended.

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars BY WAY OF FRANCE, July 5, 2007

By 

GEORGE RANNIE "GWRJWMCL" (DENVER, COLORADO United States) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Catoire: Piano Trio, Op. 14; Piano Quartet, Op. 31 (Audio CD)

Until purchasing this Hyperion recording of Georgy L'vovich Catoire's Piano trio in F minor, Piano Quartet in A minor, and Elegy in D minor for piano and violin as played by the chamber music ensemble, Room Music, I had never heard of this composer; however, being an extreme fan of chamber music, I, of course wanted to hear this recording. Believe me, it is a most beautiful recording of some wonderful late Romantic chamber works that are played exquisitely by the aforesaid group.
Catoire was a Russian born composer that was musically trained in Germany; however, to me, he must of made some visits to France because, in listening to this recording I was reminded a great deal of the beautiful chamber music of Faure and/or Chausson. (Catoire's Russian passions are most evident especially in his very dramatic 3rd movements of his quartet and trio.) According to the extensive "recording notes" by Stephen Coombs, Catoire was a frustrated composer that studied with Arensky much to his family's distain. However, he did compose large orchestra works including piano concertos that for the most part remain unpublished. Anyway, this recording of chamber music is very delightful and it is great to listen to--I will be looking for other (if there are any) recordings of Georgy L'vovich Catoire's music.

If you love late romantic chamber music with a `French Touch" buy this disc---it is beautiful!

Per usual, Hyperion's sound quality is superb--so full and rich.

5.0 out of 5 stars A very fine release, January 28, 2011

By 

G.D. (Norway) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Catoire: Piano Trio, Op. 14; Piano Quartet, Op. 31 (Audio CD)

Georgy Catoire, or Katuar (1861-1926) was a Russian composer of French heritage. His appreciation of Wagner, and the influence Wagner had on his music, contributed to making him something of a fringe figure on the Russian musical scene (dominated by the circle around Rimsky; Tchaikovsky and Arensky seem to have been appreciative of Catoire's earlier music, however). Stylistically, in addition to Wagner there are traces of both Tchaikovsky and Arensky in his music, as well as early Scriabin and a touch of French romanticism.

It is all not only very attractive, but thoroughly imaginative and expertly put together, suggesting that Catoire's music deserves more comprehensive investigation (there is at least a symphony and a piano concerto on his opus list). Fortunately the disc of chamber music at hand does him justice - Room Music's interpretations are spirited and vigorous, with a fine sense of color and texture as well as the structure of the music.

The trio is a sunny, vibrant work, full of delectable themes skillfully woven together in a convincing whole where no part ever threatens to outstay its welcome. The piano quartet is another substantial work if not perhaps quite as full of imaginative touches as the trio (though any complaints would be unfair at best; most rewarding is - I think - the superb, buoyant and boisterous finale. In between we get a lovely though minor Elegy. As mentioned above, it is all exquisitely and zestfully played and the sound quality is very good. A pretty firm recommendation is in place for all lovers of romantic chamber music, and I certainly wish to hear more from this unjustly neglected composer.