Schnittke Viola Concerto Reccomendations

Haffner · April 29, 2007, 12:25:50 PM

Can anyone reccomend for me recordings of this amazing piece, please?

I just discovered this fantastic composer, and would be very grateful!

Maciek · April 29, 2007, 01:14:30 PM

I have this one and I'm perfectly satisfied (the entire disc is very enjoyable):

(RCA, Yuri Bashmet)

But I'd be interested to know the thoughts of those who have heard more than one recording/performance...

Cheers,
Maciek

Sergeant Rock · April 29, 2007, 01:37:46 PM

The concerto was composed for Bashmet; his versions are uniquely authoritative. I have this one:

I haven't heard the RCA version (sorry Maciek) so I have no idea which of the two recordings is better. It appears the Regis disc has a more substantial coupling though: the Cello Concerto is great with "a finale that seems to cross the anguished soul-searching of the last section of Berg's Violin Concerto with the heaven-storming assertions that conclude Mahler's Third Symphony...it's blend of triumph and foreboding is awesome."

Sarge

Maciek · April 29, 2007, 01:44:26 PM

Thanks for mentioning that CD, Sarge! I have the Cello Concerto on Naxos (Maria Kliegel, Saarbrucken Radio SO/Gerhard Markson) and I'm not completely satisfied... That Gutman could be the recording I need!

not edward · April 29, 2007, 02:22:36 PM

Either of the Bashmet recordings is an excellent recommendation. As mentioned earlier, the Regis issue has the more appealing coupling.

Kliegel's cello concerto is indeed rather lightweight and Gutman is much more intense. You can't go wrong with the Regis issue, really.

bhodges · April 30, 2007, 06:42:09 AM

Quote from: MrOsa on April 29, 2007, 01:14:30 PM
I have this one and I'm perfectly satisfied (the entire disc is very enjoyable):

(RCA, Yuri Bashmet)

But I'd be interested to know the thoughts of those who have heard more than one recording/performance...

Cheers,
Maciek

Another vote for this recording, which is excellent, and although I have not heard the one that Sarge mentions, it looks terrific, as well. It's (IMHO) one of Schnittke's best, most evocative works, and a fine introduction to his output.

There is also a terrific DVD, also with Yuri Bashmet, plus Valery Gergiev and the Vienna Philharmonic, and the program includes Prokoviev's Symphony No. 1 and a fantastic performance of The Firebird.

--Bruce

karlhenning · April 30, 2007, 08:42:21 AM

What recordings are Out There for the Concerto "For Three"?

not edward · April 30, 2007, 12:52:02 PM

This one's great, and comes with a definitive String Trio (Kremer, Bashmet and Rostropovich the soloists in both), plus a fascinating curiosity: Schnittke's string orchestra version of Berg's Canon for the Frankfurt Opera House. I think it is oop, though.

The in-print recording is this one:

It's on a two-CD set of (mostly contemporary) viola music: also included are works by Hosokawa, Penderecki, Kurtag, Norgard, Porter, Partos, Ligeti, Benjamin, Hayashi.

Sean · May 10, 2007, 10:29:57 AM

The work in question is no masterpiece, complex and full of incident though it may be: I must say I see it as a long way down the list for a new collection...

karlhenning · May 10, 2007, 10:49:49 AM

Quote from: Sean on May 10, 2007, 10:29:57 AM
The work in question is no masterpiece, complex and full of incident though it may be: I must say I see it as a long way down the list for a new collection...

Well, that makes me want to hear it all the more

Haffner · May 10, 2007, 10:54:14 AM

Quote from: Sean on May 10, 2007, 10:29:57 AM
The work in question is no masterpiece, complex and full of incident though it may be: I must say I see it as a long way down the list for a new collection...

Sean, Schnittke's Viola Concerto made me regret my relatively late introduction to this Maestro. Isn't he considered a great in this age?

bhodges · May 10, 2007, 11:12:50 AM

Quote from: Haffner on May 10, 2007, 10:54:14 AM
Sean, Schnittke's Viola Concerto made me regret my relatively late introduction to this Maestro. Isn't he considered a great in this age?

Schnittke is definitely one of the greatest of the 20th century. The Viola Concerto is just one of many, many works of his worth exploring.

--Bruce

The Emperor · May 10, 2007, 11:35:04 AM

It's a composer i have yet still to discover, it may be time, for what i've read, it seems like my kind of music

Sean · May 10, 2007, 12:19:07 PM

Haffner

Quote from: Haffner on May 10, 2007, 10:54:14 AM
Sean, Schnittke's Viola Concerto made me regret my relatively late introduction to this Maestro. Isn't he considered a great in this age?

Trust me, it's a blinking dull and boring piece. There's at least 2000 hours worth of more important and rewarding music. (If you must get a Schnittke CD you want the First Concerto grosso.)

Even Wuorinen is much better than Schnittke.

karlhenning · May 10, 2007, 12:23:09 PM

What a one you are for making friends, Sean

karlhenning · May 10, 2007, 12:24:19 PM

Of course, if this were a Russian joke, your retort would be, All right: Wuorinen is even worse than Schnittke.

bhodges · May 10, 2007, 12:28:28 PM

Trust me, it's a blinking bolt of lightning, and well worth including in anyone's list of 2000 hours of important and rewarding music.

--Bruce

Sean · May 10, 2007, 12:38:04 PM

Haffner, Bruce & Karl are full of strange ideas, get obsessed by certain dubious composers and start threads on all kinds of strange things- worry not.

Schnittke's but a charlatan.

Haffner · May 11, 2007, 03:59:47 AM

Quote from: Sean on May 10, 2007, 12:19:07 PM
Haffner

Trust me, it's a blinking dull and boring piece. There's at least 2000 hours worth of more important and rewarding music. (If you must get a Schnittke CD you want the First Concerto grosso.)

Even Wuorinen is much better than Schnittke.

I'm sorry you don't like the Viola Concerto, Sean. I was very impressed by it. However, maybe after I get my first Wuorinen cd, I can make a more informed judgement.

karlhenning · May 11, 2007, 04:32:30 AM

Quote from: Sean on May 10, 2007, 12:38:04 PM
Haffner, Bruce & Karl are full of strange ideas, get obsessed by certain dubious composers and start threads on all kinds of strange things- worry not.

Schnittke's but a charlatan.

Whatever else we might say, Andy, Sean stands always ready to say something guaranteed to raise a smile

(Artusi thought Monteverdi was full of strange ideas, too . . . and now, you have to practically be a musicologist to know who Artusi was