Catoire: Violin Sonata, Op 20 'Poeme'

Georgy L’vovich Catoire was born in Moscow on 27 April 1861, to parents of French descent. Aside from his musical education Catoire studied mathematics and science at Moscow University and in 1884 graduated with high honours. Catoire’s musical oeuvre is not extensive; only about 40 opus numbers are known. His compositions include piano music (miniatures only!), songs, the symphony, Op. 7, one piano concerto, the cantata, Op. 5, and some chamber music. After his death Catoire and his music soon fell into oblivion. Outside of Russia he had never achieved any noticeable recognition, and in Russia his personal and musical profile did not at all correspond with the ideological demands the new masters expected to be met by a Soviet composer. Indeed a few of his compositions, like the Piano Quartet, Op. 31, were reprinted in the USSR during the sixties, and prominent musicians like Alexander Goldenweiser, David Oistrakh, Mstislav Rostropovitch and Leonid Kogan played and recorded some of his works. But still today Catoire ranks among the most unjustly neglected composers. His compositions demand formidable virtuosity, and the brothers Zack pull off his complete works for violin and piano with considerable aplomb.

Catoire was very conscious of his French descent, and the Zack brothers round out this album with a neat homage to Maurice Ravel with his ever-popular Pièce en forme de habanera and Tzigane.

CPO’s rediscovery of little-known composers continues with the music of Georgy Catoire. Catoire’s works for violin and piano are truly representative of his wide range of talent and skill as a composer.

The works on this disc display a wonderful combination of French and Russian idioms.

The reissue of this unique collection of chamber music masterpieces, ranging from Baroque to 20-century, played by the legendary David Oistrakh, with his luminous, sonorous and deeply moving tone.

Partners include Sviatoslav Richter, Lev Oborin, Alexander Goldenweiser and Vladimir Yampolski. With his supreme technique, enormous precision in rhythm as well as extensive variety in sound, David Oistrakh is one of the most celebrated violinists of the 20th century.

This 10-CD release details some of his best chamber music recordings and is filled to the brim with first-rate performances. The compilation effectively documents the development of violin music, simultaneously revealing Oistrakh’s mastering of an extensive repertoire.

Beginning with J.S. Bach, who was one of the first composers to write for the instrument independently and whose works are given an overtly romantic appraisal by the Russian maestro, it also traverses a series of Classical compositions – including Mozart’s Sonata No.3 K306 and Beethoven’s ‘Kreutzer’ Sonata Op.47. Most of the collection’s space, however, is taken up by a large assortment of 19th- and 20th-century music; this is undoubtedly where Oistrakh’s heart lies, and the violinist shows a strong commitment to pieces from his native country.

What is particularly evident from this release is that no matter how big or small, famous or little-known, each work is treated as a masterpiece. With largely forgotten names such as Catoire and Vladigerov sitting alongside some of the greatest composers in musical history, the compilation represents a musical feast that is not to be passed up.