Alfred Schnittke (1934-1998)

[ludwigii]

Of course, I agree with what you've written. Also, thanks for this link. Fascinating to watch.

"this work hits the listener like a ton of bricks" !! (Mirror Image on Peer Gynt  )   

Other footages :

https://www.net-film.ru/en/film-9874/?search=qschnittke

https://www.net-film.ru/en/film-56695/?search=qschnittke

[Mirror Image]

"this work hits the listener like a ton of bricks" !! (Mirror Image on Peer Gynt  )   

Other footages :

https://www.net-film.ru/en/film-9874/?search=qschnittke

https://www.net-film.ru/en/film-56695/?search=qschnittke

Thanks so much for these links as well. I can't understand a word they're saying, but it's highly illuminating being able to hear and see Schnittke.

[ludwigii]

Thanks so much for these links as well. I can't understand a word they're saying, but it's highly illuminating being able to hear and see Schnittke.

me too 
But as you rightly say it is a pleasure to see him.
On the site there is a brief description of the episodes, which helps us to understand something.

[ludwigii]

I've had the recordings of the 1st and 3rd Symphonies for a few months, and I've just ordered a third disc, with Ritual, (K)ein Sommernachtstraum, Passacaglia and the Faust Cantata. I definitely want to get Nagasaki too; I heard it the other day and was blown away by the awesome power of the middle movement. A feeling akin to the climax of the first movt. of Shostakovich 7.

That movement foreshadows the part of the crucifixion of Christ in the Fourth Symphony, the latter much much more frightening.
Nagasaki is an apprenticeship work, a mix of Prokofiev's  Alexander Nevsky and Carl Orff, it is not yet Schnittke, the real one.

[Mirror Image]

That movement foreshadows the part of the crucifixion of Christ in the Fourth Symphony, the latter much much more frightening.
Nagasaki is an apprenticeship work, a mix of Prokofiev's  Alexander Nevsky and Carl Orff, it is not yet Schnittke, the real one.

That's true. Much like his Violin Concerto No. 1 isn't Schnittke yet.

[ludwigii]

That's true. Much like his Violin Concerto No. 1 isn't Schnittke yet.

But the first violin concerto is a very good work, highly enjoyable, I recommend it. Especially in the interpretation of Mark Lubotsky (BIS), which I like very much more than Kremer. The only flaw of the BIS recording is technical, the low dynamic, but if you have a good amp ...

The first violin concerto for me is a half masterpiece. He was still looking himself, but is already a work of great quality.
Both Symphony no.0 that Nagasaki instead have many less merits, according to me. Only for fans.

[Mirror Image]

But the first violin concerto is a very good work, highly enjoyable, I recommend it. Especially in the interpretation of Mark Lubotsky (BIS), which I like very much more than Kremer. The only flaw of the BIS recording is technical, the low dynamic, but if you have a good amp ...

The first violin concerto for me is a half masterpiece. He was still looking himself, but is already a work of great quality.
Both Symphony no.0 that Nagasaki instead have many less merits, according to me. Only for fans.

Truth be told, I really don't like any of Schnittke's violin concerti. I agree that Symphony No. 0 and Nagasaki are hardly representative of what the composer will become, but I actually like Nagasaki.

[not edward]

Truth be told, I really don't like any of Schnittke's violin concerti. I agree that Symphony No. 0 and Nagasaki are hardly representative of what the composer will become, but I actually like Nagasaki.

I think the fourth concerto comes off better in the recording of the premiere than it does in Kremer's later recording, with its unfortunate vocal rendition of the cadenza visuale. But I would agree the violin concerti are not on the same level as, say, the viola or first cello concerto.

[Mirror Image]

I think the fourth concerto comes off better in the recording of the premiere than it does in Kremer's later recording, with its unfortunate vocal rendition of the cadenza visuale. But I would agree the violin concerti are not on the same level as, say, the viola or first cello concerto.

I must listen to the premiere recording. On BIS, correct? If not, then please let me know which recording you're referring to.

[ludwigii]

I was listening to the First Vl concert and only now I realize that the theme of the third movement (that takes some cells of the main theme of the first movement) foreshadows the analogue of the Fourth concert. There are thematic similarities. Unbelievable 

[Mirror Image]

I was listening to the First Vl concert and only now I realize that the theme of the third movement (that takes some cells of the main theme of the first movement) foreshadows the analogue of the Fourth concert. There are thematic similarities. Unbelievable 

I must listen for this as well!

[ludwigii]

I think the fourth concerto comes off better in the recording of the premiere than it does in Kremer's later recording, with its unfortunate vocal rendition of the cadenza visuale. But I would agree the violin concerti are not on the same level as, say, the viola or first cello concerto.

On YT there is a more recent live performance : Vadim Gluzman / Schnittke Violin Concerto No.4


Finnish Radio Symphony Orchestra
Hannu Lintu - conductor
Vadim Gluzman - violin
10.10.2014, Helsinki Music Centre

It seems very good.

[not edward]

I must listen to the premiere recording. On BIS, correct? If not, then please let me know which recording you're referring to.

I'm actually talking about the Kremer/Rozhdestvensky live recording from 1990. I got it on a Melodiya Musica non grata disc:

[asin]B000025460[/asin]

You can probably find quite a few other issues of it now, though, particularly if you're willing to go the download route.

[Mirror Image]

I love Schnittke's music, but I guess you would already guess that? 

Excellent! What are some of your favorite works?

[Maestro267]

Listening to the Symphony No. 2 (St. Florian) for the first time. Once again, the sounds he conjures up from his vast orchestral palette are fabulous! Schnittke's the only composer I've come across that incorporates electric guitar as just another orchestral texture, without making it sound distinctly like rock music.

[Mirror Image]

Symphonies 1 &2
first three Concerto Grosso's
Concerto for piano and strings
Requiem
Peter Gynt
Choir Concerto
Psalms of repentance
String quartet no 3
The hymns
Story of an unknown actor
Life of an idiot
Agony
Variations

The Hymns? Please clarify as there's Four Hymns for a chamber ensemble and Three Sacred Hymns for chorus.

[Mirror Image]

Yes, I was purposefully vague about that because there are quite a few cool "Hymn" pieces 

Ah, okay. You had me actually worried for a minute.

[CRCulver]

Schnittke's the only composer I've come across that incorporates electric guitar as just another orchestral texture, without making it sound distinctly like rock music.

I can think of other composers have included electric guitar in scores that are modernist and don't refer to rock music: Grisey in Transitoires, Gubaidulina in Zeitgestalten, Romitelli in several of his works. What really strikes me about Schnittke's orchestration is the use of a drum kit in the Concerto Grosso No. 2: that's a really jarring sonority even for someone used to the "noisy avant-garde".

[relm1]

I can think of other composers have included electric guitar in scores that are modernist and don't refer to rock music: Grisey in Transitoires, Gubaidulina in Zeitgestalten, Romitelli in several of his works. What really strikes me about Schnittke's orchestration is the use of a drum kit in the Concerto Grosso No. 2: that's a really jarring sonority even for someone used to the "noisy avant-garde".

Lepo Sumera Symphony No. 4
Aaron Jay Kernis Colored Wheel

[bwv 1080]

Great piece, unfortunately the Chandos recording is out of print

https://www.youtube.com/v/TKskTaPZ_rU