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Piano Music: December 2008 Archives

Russian Piano Discovery

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Hyperion CDA67090

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.

[ Available on CD: Amazon - UK - Germany - Canada - France - Japan - ArkivMusic - CD Universe ]

[ Sheet music by this composer: Sheet Music PlusMusicnotes.com ]

Piano Sonatas from Beethoven's Rival

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Naxos 8.570796

Ferdinand Ries
(1784-1838)

Piano Sonata in F minor, Op. 11 #2
Piano Sonata in E Flat Major, Op. 11, #1
Sonatina in A minor, Op. 45

Susan Kagan, piano
Naxos 8.570796 50:02

As a close associate of Beethoven, it's no surprise that Ries' music was strongly influenced by the older composer, not that that's a criticism. For a long time, a solitary piano concerto was about the extent of recordings of his music but in recent years, mainly due to CPO, much more has become available.

Susan Kagan, a name Fanfare readers will recognise, has started a series of his piano music for Naxos. The music is immediately attractive and adds to our knowledge of a most interesting composer. The playing time is hardly generous, but at Naxos price, can be forgiven.

[ Available on CD: Amazon - UK - Germany - Canada - France - Japan - ArkivMusic - CD Universe ]

[ Sheet music by this composer: Sheet Music PlusMusicnotes.com ]
Trumpet