Rachfan - Georgy Catoire Quatre Morceaux: Chant du soir 12/1: Message Board

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Georges Catoire (1861-1926) was a late romantic Russian-born composer of French lineage. He was also a pianist and professor of composition at the Moscow Conservatory, having studied piano with Karl Klindworth and composition with Otto Tirsch, Philip Rufer, and Anatol Liadov. Catoire’s music is nearly unknown today for several reasons: 1) He did not play or promote his compositions in recitals. 2) Catoire had been black-balled in the Moscow music scene by Nikolai Rimsky-Korsakov due to his advocacy for Richard Wagner and his music. 3) After the Bolshevik Revolution, Catoire’s music was ignored by the Soviet Ministry of Culture, as its late romantic character did nothing to extol socialism; nor were his scores reprinted in Russia again except for a single volume in 1928 now out of print. 4) Virtually all of his piano music is difficult to play well. Thus, immediately after his death in 1926, it was as if the composer’s music fell into an abyss, although Alexander Goldenweiser and David Oistrachk performed it occasionally. The traces of influence found in Catoire’s music are from Wagner, early Scriabin, and Faure, although his idiom is most original.

Piano: My Baldwin Model L Artist Grand (6'3")

David April

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Name	Date	Comment
Rachfan	2010-08-23 08:43:09	Hi wr, Rachmaninoff once opined that Medtner, whom he knew very well, was the most ingenious living composer of his time. Thus for Medtner to make that nod to Catoire was a high compliment. I do know that at the Moscow Conservatory, faculty members teaching composition were delighted to get students from Catoire, knowing that their preparation was exceptional. Catoire was highly respected there. I'm glad you're enjoying this music so much! I've also recorded other sets of Catoire's music which is just as beautiful. David David
wr	2010-08-23 02:43:57	I am loving this selection of Catoire - thanks for the introduction to his music. I only knew him as a name, before now. Medtner dedicated his op. 22 sonata to Catoire.
Rachfan	2010-08-22 16:39:29	Hi SlatterFan I think you capture the essence well. I'm always struck by that plaintive and innocent childlike motif at the opening of the piece, which is reprised later on, but not before Catoire takes shows us some other scenes along the way. There's an interesting switching from minor to major mode too which brings a sense of hope. I'm glad you liked it! Thanks for listening. David
SlatterFan	2010-08-22 16:15:19	I'm very touched by this piece. It feels like someone reaching out to grasp peace/solace despite setbacks. Beautifully played. Too late; I'm already seduced/addicted!
Rachfan	2010-08-21 22:15:25	Hi Heidi, Caution: Catoire's music is addictive! :-) I've been hooked on it ever since I learned my first piece by this composer. David
heidiv	2010-08-21 20:04:01	David - I love this piece! Ever since you first introduced me to Catoire several months back, I've been entranced by his music (and your playing). The more I listen, the more I enjoy it!
gerg	2010-08-21 15:16:25	Seeing double?
gerg	2010-08-21 15:16:14	Seeing double?
Carey	2010-08-21 14:25:22	I will do so - THANKS !!
Carey	2010-08-21 14:25:19	I will do so - THANKS !!
Rachfan	2010-08-21 13:53:34	Hi Carey, Yes, I've posted the set of "Four Preludes", Op. 17 as well as the "Chants du Crepuscule", Op. 24 (four pieces in that set as well) here on Member Recordings. But you have to rummage through the back pages of the listings to find them all. If you go to Piano Society (www.pianosociety.com) and on the navigation bar go to Composers and select Catoire, or go to Artists and select April, D., you can get them all conveniently gathered into one place. David
Rachfan	2010-08-21 12:16:50	Hi Carey, Yes, I've posted the set of "Four Preludes", Op. 17 as well as the "Chants du Crepuscule", Op. 24 (four pieces in that set as well) here on Member Recordings. But you have to rummage through the back pages of the listings to find them all. If you go to Piano Society (www.pianosociety.com) and on the navigation bar go to Composers and select Catoire, or go to Artists and select April, D., you can get them all conveniently gathered into one place. David
Carey	2010-08-21 11:44:24	David - Have you posted either of the two other Catoire sets on Member Recordings? I would love to hear them sometime !!
Rachfan	2010-08-21 09:46:19	Hi Carey, Thanks for listening, and glad you enjoyed these pieces of Catoire. I've recorded two other sets of Catoire as well, but can't decide on a favorite, as they're all so beautiful. I switched from Steinway to Baldwin in 1984. I really love the sound of these pianos. David
Carey	2010-08-21 00:35:40	David - You play all four of these pieces beautifully. Thanks so much for sharing them - your talent - and your Baldwin - with us !!
Rachfan	2010-08-20 20:17:40	Thanks, Socerer!
Sorcerer88	2010-08-20 19:56:39	wonderful piece!
Rachfan	2010-08-20 16:10:50	Thank you so much for your kind words! The pieces in order are titled, Chant du soir, Meditation, Nocturne, and Etude-fantastique. Between the first two, the Meditation seems more contemplative to me, yet the Chant you mention certainly has a very pensive character. Two other sets that I've recorded are the Four Preludes, Op. 17 and the Chants du Crepuscule, Op. 24. The music in all of them is gorgeous, so I can never decide which set I like best. Catoire was an extraordinary composer in my opinion. Thanks again for listening. David
anonymous	2010-08-20 16:08:11	Thank you so much for your kind words! The pieces in order are titled, Chant du soir, Meditation, Nocturne, and Etude-fantastique. Between the first two, the Meditation seems more contemplative to me, yet the Chant you mention certainly has a very pensive character. Two other sets that I've recorded are the Four Preludes, Op. 17 and the Chants du Crepuscule, Op. 24. The music in all of them is gorgeous, so I can never decide which set I like best. Catoire was an extraordinary composer in my opinion. Thanks again for listening. David
anonymous	2010-08-20 12:25:10	His story does not sound dissimilar from that of Prokofiev and doubtless scores of others alive during that dark era. "4) Virtually all of his piano music is difficult to play well. " Hence, your dedication to his music becomes the more apparent. This one in its beginning carries, in its very beginning, shades of the hymnbook, at least to my ears. Your playing always shines. So glad you have participated with this Catoire!