Topic: Alfred Schnittke (1934-1998)

[Benji]

I echo the above Lethe comment about there being no consensus yet regarding the symphonies. Of the ones I've heard though, I can unhesitatingly recommend the 8th (I have the Rozhdestvensky recording).

Seconded, without reservation.

Peer Gynt is an absolutely staggering work, but it's 2 CDs on BIS, hence expensive.

Yes yes yes. Even darker that the bleak 8th Symphony, Peer Gynt is a real experience in music - totally exhausting, and emotionally draining. I really have to be in a certain frame of mind to listen to Schnittke.

[erato]

Very vaulable discussion for me this, as I am a Schnittke newbie and am slowly exploring his works. What I do have, is the mighty 2nd cello concerto on the magnificent Chandos double of his cello music, and the Hyperion disc of chamber music with the fine piano quintet and extremely interesting string trio. With time I will go further.

[Maciek]

I think some of the Concerti grossi (esp. no. 1?) could be considered an "easy" entry into Schnittke's sound world.

[snyprrr]

uh... this Raskatov fellow?

There's a Megadisc cd of three of his pieces, including a String Quartet (hence my interest). Does anyone know it?

I didn't know where else to ask.

[k a rl h e nn i ng]

Just picked up the Ewa Kupiec recording of piano concertos nos. 1-3.  Anyone know the recording or the pieces?

Found the SACD for $9.99 here on Washington Street, and I had chanced to see the image of the disc on-line when searching for Maria Lettberg (she plays the 3^rd & 4^th hand on concerto no. 3).