Georgy Catoire
(1861-1926)
Caprice, Op. 3
Intermezzo, Op. 6, #5
Trois morceaux, Op. 2
Prélude, Op. 6, #2
Scherzo, Op. 6, #3
Vision (Étude), Op. 8
Cinq morceaux, Op. 10
Quatre morceaux, Op. 12
Quatre préludes, Op. 17
Chants du crépuscule, Op. 24
Poème, Op. 34, #2
Prélude, Op. 34, #3
Valse, Op. 36
Marc-André Hamelin, piano
Hyperion CDA67090 77:59
Of French extraction, Catoire was born in Russia and spent much of his life living there, eventually becoming professor of composition at Moscow Conservatory. His long neglect is probably due to the music not fulfilling the purposes required by the Soviet system. The obvious comparisons are with Liszt and Scriabin and many of the pieces presented here sound very difficult to play but not to listen to. Such music is meat and drink to Marc-André Hamelin who, as usual, tackles fiendishness with ease.
