Catoire (Γ. Κатуар), Four Preludes, Op 17

[Rachfan1]

Hi neilassoni,

Thanks so much for stopping by and listening, and also for that nice compliment on my Catoire pieces which I greatly appreciate. I've looked a bit into Blumenfeld's music. It's more hit or miss than some other composers of the era. I notice that the vast majority of his pieces are at fast tempi. He seems to offer much less on the lyrical side which most appeals to me. Probably I will do some of his music eventually. Thanks again.

[neiltassoni]

Again and again, i come back to your wondrous interpretations of this nearly sublime music. Thank you for taking the time to share. I wonder if you've played anything by Mister Felix Blumenfeld? He is best known for that singular left-handed piano piece, but there are myriad more-than-worthy exploration possibilities. A man of your rarefied taste would surely find something of intrigue.

Thanks again--Neil of Minneapolis

[Rachfan1]

Hi PiscaCPT

Thanks so much! I'm glad that you enjoyed these wonderful preludes of Catoire. Where you're from Brazil, you might enjoy listening to the "Preludio" of Eduardo Dutra, also posted on my channel here, as he was a Brazilian composer. It's a gorgeous piece.

[PiscaCPT]

Bravo! Cheers from Brazil

[Rachfan1]

Hi Lisztman,

Yes, I own the Hamelin CD. I believe that our interpretations of this music are quite different. Thanks for listening!

[Rachfan1]

Hi Lukecash,

Thanks for listening!. These compositions are extraordinary. Marc-Andre Hamelin has recorded much of Catoire for Hyperion. In the U.S. Koji Attwood has played some Catoire in recital. I have recorded these Preludes, and soon I'll be posting the "Chant du crepuscule", Op. 24, No. 1 to complete the set of four. I do plan to continue with the Catoire repertoire. Sadly, aside from the pianists mentioned above, I know of no others playing Catoire's piano music at present.

[Lukecash12]

thanks for the upload. It's rather difficult to find good recordings of Catoire, let alone very many recordings at all.

[OceansBoulevard]

a really good interpretation of a really interesting composer.

Thank you.

[Rachfan1]

Hi Oceans,

You're a step ahead of me and found some of the Catoire pieces! I'm sure you'd also enjoy the two Chants du Crepuscule I've posted here too. Extraordinary music!

[Clavichordist]

Very nice, David.

I can hear the influences of Scriabin and Faure in there. He's after all from the same period.

[Rachfan1]

Thanks Clavichordist

I'm glad you enjoyed this recording. Yes, the shifting tonal centers are a nod to Faure, and there are traces of early Scriabin too. Yet these pieces retain and project an incredible originality. Catoire was a wonderful composer.

David

[dmalantic]

I just discovered Catoire, thanks to your beautiful playing. Some of the preludes really remind me of Chopin with more advanced harmony, especially the fourth in Bb. Hard to believe that a composer of this talent is so obscure. I'll have to find some sheet music... Thank you

[Rachfan1]

Hi dmalantic,

Thanks so much for your compliment and your enthusiasm about Catoire's piano music!  The main influences found in his music are thought to be Wagner, Faure, and Scriabin, although Scriabin was influenced by Chopin, which is probably what you're hearing. The Soviet Cultural Ministry prevented reprintings of Catoire's works. But you can download free PDF files at International Music Scores Library Project (IMSLP). Thanks for listening!

David April

[Rachfan1]

Hi C,

Thanks so much for your kind comments. I'm glad you enjoyed my interpretations. Yes, this set of four preludes is certainly obscure, but hopefully my small contribution in recording and posting them here will help raise awareness of this great Russian composer.

David

[Rachfan1]

Hi haydn,

Thanks so much!

Catoire never promoted his own music, unlike Rachmaninoff, for example. He was also blackballed by the Rimsky-Korsakov clique due to his strong support for Wagner's music. And the Soviet Ministry of Culture never reprinted his scores, as they were not deemed to serve socialist ideals. After Catoire died in 1926, Goldenweiser and Oistrakh championed his music, but the late composer and his music soon fell into near oblivion.

I'm glad you enjoyed listening!

[haydn4ever]

WONDERFUL!! This composer deserves recognition......as do you, the artist! You play his pieces very well! Thanks for posting! I can't wait to share this!

[Rachfan1]

For anyone who likes the Late Romantic era, I've also posted a considerable number of pieces by Sergei Bortkiewicz here at YouTube.

David April