Catalyst Quartet release the first of a multi-volume set, titled Uncovered, via Azica Records. The first volume features the works of Samuel Coleridge-Taylor including his 'Quintet in G minor for Piano and Strings' with pianist Stewart Goodyear, 'Fantasiestück' and 'Quintet in F sharp minor' with clarinetist Anthony McGill...

The release of the Uncovered series, performed by Catalyst Quartet, takes lovers of classical music on a voyage of discovery to unearth great composers who have otherwise been overlooked over the mists of time. The first volume features works by the English composer Samuel Coleridge-Taylor (1875-1912). When he was alive his peers drew parallels between his and Mahler's work... and it's not hard to see why.

Discussing the series, Catalyst Quartet said: "Over the course of time there have been many overlooked artists in classical music, especially because of their race or gender. It is important to acknowledge that we have not yet heard the whole story due to this sidelining of musical voices. Composers like Samuel Coleridge-Taylor, Florence Price, and Coleridge-Taylor Perkinson have contributed beautifully crafted work to the repertoire but are not widely celebrated because quality recordings and performances of their music are rare or non existent. With our next recording project we are helping to change this unfortunate reality."

Catalyst Quartet bring Coleridge-Taylor's work vividly to life with a fresh and modern recording. These three pieces 'Quintet in G minor for Piano and Strings', 'Fantasiestücke Op. 5' and 'Quintet in F sharp minor for Clarinet and Strings, Op. 10' are all different in structure and style and really help to give an all round feel of the composer's driving force. It's almost criminal that these pieces have never been given the recognition they deserve. All of these pieces are richly layered with numerous beautiful and joyous themes running throughout.

I am really looking forward to seeing this series develop.

Track listing:

Quintet in G minor for Piano and Strings (1893)
01. Allegro con moto [9:19]
02. Larghetto [6:51]
03. Scherzo [4:30]
04. Allegro molto [5:25]
Karla Donehew Perez (violin), Jessie Montgomery (violin), Paul Laraia (viola), Karlos Rodriguez (cello), Stewart Goodyear (piano)

Fantasiestücke Op. 5 (1895)
05. Prelude [5:00]
06. Serenade [4:18]
07. Humoresque [3:17]
08. Minuet & Trio [6:55]
09. Dance [4:38]
Karla Donehew Perez (violin), Jessie Montgomery (violin), Paul Laraia (viola), Karlos Rodriguez (cello)

Quintet in F sharp minor for Clarinet and Strings, Op. 10 (1906)
10. Allegro energico [7:20]
11. Larghetto affettuoso [6:12]
12. Scherzo [7:15]
13. Finale [7:04]
Karla Donehew Perez (violin), Jessie Montgomery (violin), Paul Laraia (viola), Karlos Rodriguez (cello), Anthony McGill (clarinet)

10

Darren Rea