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Music
Life
[in English] A key figure in Russian musical life at the turn of the century, Georgi Lvovich Catoire was born in Moscow on April 27, 1861 to an assimilated French family. Although fascinated by music from an early age (at 16 he began studying the works of Wagner), he enrolled as a student of mathematics and science at the University of Moscow, graduating in 1884. After graduation, however, he decided to devote himself to music. His early compositions showed the influence of Tchaikovsky, and, indeed, in 1888, Tchaikovsky, in a letter to Rimsky-Korsakov, described Catoire as "very talented...(but) in need of serious schooling". This was subsequently provided by such teachers as Rimsky-Korsakov, Lyadov, Arensky and Taneyev. His musical activities progressed to the point that by 1916 he was appointed Professor of Composition at the Moscow Conservatory, a position he held for the rest of his life. Catoire wrote several treatises on music theory, which became the foundation for the teaching of music theory in Russia. His composition style was a synthesis of the Russian, German (Wagner) and French (Chopin, Franck and Debussy) schools. His output includes two symphonies, a piano concerto, choral works, songs, and chamber music. The first violin sonata, Op. 15, dates from 1900 and the second, Op. 20, from 1906. Among his students at the Moscow Conservatory were Kabalevsky and Polovinkin. He died in Moscow on may 21, 1926.
[in French] Une figure clé de la vie musicale russe, Georgi Lvovitch Catoire est né à Moscou le 27 avril 1861 au sein d’une famille d’origine française. Il a été fasciné par la musique dés son plus jeune âge. Diplômé de l’université de mathématique de Moscou en 1884, il décide ensuite de s’orienter vers la musique. Ses premières compositions montrent l’influence de Tchaikovsky qui l’a décrit, dans une lettre à Rimsky-Korsakov comme "très talentueux". Il s’est épanoui avec des professeurs comme Rimsky-Korsakov, Lyadov, Arensky et Taneyev. Son évolution l’a mené au poste de professeur de composition du conservatoire de Moscou en 1916. Il a occupé cette fonction jusqu’à la fin de sa vie. Catoire écrit quelques essais sur la théorie musicale qui vont devenir les fondations de l’enseignement de la théorie en Russie. Son style de composition est une synthèse des écoles Russe, Allemande (Wagner) et française (Chopin, Franck et Debussy). Son oeuvre comprend 2 symphonies, un concerto pour piano, des études pour choeurs, des chansons et de la musique de chambre. Sa première sonate pour violon, Op. 15 date de 1900 et la seconde Op. 20 de 1906. Il a compté parmi ses étudiants au conservatoire de Moscou Kabalevsky et Polovinkin. Il est mort à Moscou le 21 mai 1926.