G. Catoire, Chants du crepuscule, Op. 24, No. 3

[rachfan]

Georgy Catoire composed his Chants du crepuscule, Op. 24 c. 1914, a set of four songs without words. Probably the best translation of the title would be Songs of the Twilight (or as some Europeans might prefer, Songs of the Half-Light.)  Unlike, for example, Schumann’s "Gesange der Fruhe", or "Songs" of the Dawn", Catoire’s ambiguity does not divulge whether he had in mind dawn or dusk.  All of these pieces are very atmospheric—and difficult to play well.  Perhaps there is a connection of this music to Victor Hugo’s Les Chants du Crepuscule, four volumes of poetry dating from 1835.  Although Catoire was Russian born, he was of French heritage, so might well have been quite familiar with the works of Hugo, and maybe was inspired by them.  The pieces in this set are translucent and somewhat impressionistic, but still with a late romantic tinge too.  In the “Chant No. 3” presented here, from the shifting tonal centers I sense a possible influence of Faure, yet the work is highly original too.  I hope you’ll enjoy this music.  

Comments welcome.

Piano: Baldwin Model L Artist Grand (6’3”), just tuned
Recorder: Korg MR-1000 DSD
Mics: Earthworks TC20 matched pair of small diaphragm omni-directional condenser microphones

[go12_3]

Oh, my gosh!  That is such a beautiful piece!   I love it! 
And your playing is exquisite,  Thank you for sharing.   

best wishes,

go12_3

[rachfan]

Hi go,

Thanks for your kind words.   I'm glad you enjoyed it so much!

[allthumbs]

Another great performance worthy of my mp3 player.

allthumbs

[rachfan]

Hi allthumbs,

Thanks for listening.  Anytime someone becomes a fan of Catoire's music, it makes my day.  Super!

[goldentone]

Hi Rachfan,

The new mics have taken your recording quality to yet another level.  They are expansive, present, and high in clarity.  

I always enjoy your background info.  It sets the stage warmly.  This Chants du crepescule is an ecelctic fusion of impressionism, romanticism, and even jazz.  It bears the wandering nature of the previous Catoire preludes you recorded.  An unsatisfied searching that yet musically satisfies.  This is another very good recording full of your rich artistry.

[rachfan]

Thanks for all your comments, goldentone.  Yes, I very much agree--it is often difficult to pigeonhole Catoire's compositions, as they are indeed eclectic.  I think that characteristic is what makes his music so haunting. 

I'm glad you like the new mics.  When I first tested them, I really had to acclimate to the new sound, where I had been using the Nakamichi CM-300s since the 1980s.  Those were very good, but now I love the neutral, natural and clear sound of the Earthworks TC20s technology even more.  I believe I chose a really fine option for my recordings.

I'm glad you enjoyed hearing this "Chant" of Catoire.

[ronde_des_sylphes]

Sensitive playing of an atmospheric and interesting piece. Thoroughly enjoyed it.

[rachfan]

Hi Sylphes,

I'm glad you enjoyed hearing this piece.  One of the elements of Catoire's music that I really like is the atmospheric nature that is so often present.  It gives me great pleasure trying to recreate that lyrical mood for the listener.  Thanks for taking time to listen!  

[ahinton]

Piano music featured high in Catoire's output and it deserves to be better known; for anyone interested in hearing more of this repertoire, I can recommend the following CD in which Marc-André Hamelin plays
Caprice, Op. 3
Intermezzo, Op. 6 No. 5
Trois morceaux, Op. 2
Prélude ,Op. 6 No. 2 / Scherzo, Op. 6 No. 3
Vision, Op. 8
Cinq morceaux, Op. 10
Quatres preludes, Op. 17
Chants du crépuscule, Op. 24
Poème, Op. 34 No. 2 / Prélude, Op. 34 No. 3
Valse, Op. 36.

It's on Hyperion and its catalogue number is CDA67090

Best,

Alistair

[rachfan]

Hi Alistair,

I'm certainly glad you enjoyed my performance of this work.