Kodaly, Catoire, Ravel etc Avie AV2124 This is a small collection of rarities, excepting the Kodaly Duo of which there are several more competitive accounts available. The merit of this release is putting the Kodaly into a historical context; the violin/cello duo was popular in earlier ties, but graadually disappearedmuntio the Kodaly (and Ravel's) renewed interest Nothing earth shaking else. The Paganini would be unrecognizable without fore knowledge, an early piece whch does not anticpate the virtuosity and notoriety which came his way, and to which the lengthy note about him is irrelevantly mostly devoted. The other pieces here would be welcome in student concerts. The CD should find a place in the libraries of college strings departments. Peter Grahame Woolf Georgy Catoire Complete works for violin & piano Avie AV2143 Before he heard an Oisrakh recording of 'this beautiful genuine music with personal flair', Catoire was completely unknown to the violinist Herwig Zack, as now to me... Well, yes, it is quite nice high-romantic music, if finally unmemorable, and one sonata might have been wiser, since the few minutes of Ravel's Habanera eclipsed nearly an hour of Catoire before it. What a pity they didn't decide to include the marvellous Ravel Sonata to make for a more balanced programme. Good duo playing and recording. Recommended for violinists looking for new repertoire. Peter Grahame Woolf But see Rob Barnett in Music Web
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