Alfred Schnittke (1934-1998)

[Mirror Image]

Just posted this in Purchased thread, but finally got me a hard copy of the Faust Cantata, and another 2nd Concerto Grosso for my library. This also might be a candidate for craziest cover art!

I haven't heard this recording in ages. Faust Cantata, of course, is one of my favorites from Schnittke. The best I can remember Rozhdestvensky does this music justice.

[schnittkease]

The bi-decennial of Schnittke's death was yesterday! How did I miss it? Any plans, GMG?

[TheGSMoeller]

The bi-decennial of Schnittke's death was yesterday! How did I miss it? Any plans, GMG?

Didn't have any, but I'll have to change that with a listen to his Choir Concerto, easily my favorite work from Schnittke. 

[Mirror Image]

I got this idea yesterday and can't get it out of my head: HIPs of Schnittke's concerti grossi. Anyone else thinks I should pitch this to BIS? 

That's possible, but HIP wouldn't actually be hip in Schnittke's case considering it's music created in our era. But, hey, this shouldn't stop you from pitching the idea to BIS.

[Mirror Image]

You're right -- it would be a Schnittkean satire on what it means to be "HIP." I may follow through with pitching the idea just to give BIS a good laugh.

Yeah, I, at one point, considered contacting BIS to ask them about recording more Latin American music, but I think instead of a laugh, I would receive an icy silence, so it's best to not waste my time.

[CRCulver]

Yeah, I, at one point, considered contacting BIS to ask them about recording more Latin American music, but I think instead of a laugh, I would receive an icy silence, so it's best to not waste my time.

The suggestion that BIS re-record Schnittke would be daft (BIS went to great expense to record what it already has), but if you are interested in Robert von Bahr's plans, you don't have to be afraid to ask him. He's an approachable fellow.

[schnittkease]

A fascinating video of Schnittke's The Glass Harmonica -- coupled with both the score and film -- has been uploaded to YouTube:

https://www.youtube.com/v/G2V-nCeDKoM

[SymphonicAddict]

A fascinating video of Schnittke's The Glass Harmonica -- coupled with both the score and film -- has been uploaded to YouTube:

https://www.youtube.com/v/G2V-nCeDKoM

Thanks for sharing it. It scares me a bit, and that is a good symptom!

[Maestro267]

I've ordered my next Schnittke disc, this one featuring two early works, the Symphony No. 0 and the cantata Nagasaki, on BIS.

And I notice it's been that long since I posted in this thread...a couple of months back I bought the Chandos double set with the two Cello Concertos, two Cello Sonatas and Concerto Grosso No. 2. I'm particularly a big fan of the Cello Concertos, each of which, at over 40 minutes, are the longest cello concertos in my collection. The intensity of the works is staggering, how the weight of that huge symphony orchestra crushes our hero, the soloist.

[schnittkease]

If I remember correctly, Alexander Ivashkin plays on the Chandos double set. He's a formidable cellist that had a long and varied relationship with Schnittke, eventually becoming his biographer. Another must-hear performance of Cello Concerto No. 1 is Natalia Gutman's. The main takeaway is one of raw energy (sometimes at the expense of intonation, but no one's complaining; in fact, I think I like her interpretation more than Ivashkin's).

[Mirror Image]

I've ordered my next Schnittke disc, this one featuring two early works, the Symphony No. 0 and the cantata Nagasaki, on BIS.

And I notice it's been that long since I posted in this thread...a couple of months back I bought the Chandos double set with the two Cello Concertos, two Cello Sonatas and Concerto Grosso No. 2. I'm particularly a big fan of the Cello Concertos, each of which, at over 40 minutes, are the longest cello concertos in my collection. The intensity of the works is staggering, how the weight of that huge symphony orchestra crushes our hero, the soloist.

I guess one could call me one of the resident Schnittkians, so I'll weigh in on this post (even though you never did ask me nor anyone else for that matter ). The recording of Symphony No. 0 and Nagasaki is a curiosity, but that's all both works are unfortunately. Nagasaki does have some great moments. Symphony No. 0 could have very well been titled Symphony Oh-No as far as I'm concerned as it's forgettable. The mature Schnittke or should I say when he started to find his compositional voice was when he began his foray into polystylism. So works like the Piano Quintet, Symphony No. 1, Concerto Grosso No. 1, Concerto for Piano and String Orchestra, among others are prime examples of this polystylism. After the experiments in polystylism, his style become much more bleak and introspective and he began composing works that have almost skeletons of musical dialogue and a prime example of this would be the third movement Lento from his Symphony No. 8. Anyway, I hope you enjoy that BIS recording, but, if you haven't already, I highly recommend checking out his ballets Sketches, Peer Gynt, and Labyrinths, but also the Viola Concerto, the SQs, the String Trio, the Faust Cantata, Requiem, and Hymns for chamber ensemble. It's good that you already acquired the Cello Concertos and Cello Sonatas. Unlike schnittkease, I thought very little of the Gutman performance of the Cello Concerto No. 1 and still believe that Ivashkin's is the one to beat.

[Maestro267]

Oh I'm fully aware that these works are not going to sound anything like mature Schnittke. But I imagine they will still be in an idiom I personally enjoy.

Anyway, I hope you enjoy that BIS recording, but, if you haven't already, I highly recommend checking out his ballets Sketches, Peer Gynt, and Labyrinths, but also the Viola Concerto, the SQs, the String Trio, the Faust Cantata, Requiem, and Hymns for chamber ensemble.

The works in bold I already own, all of them on BIS. Along with Symphonies 1-3, Ritual, Passacaglia for orchestra, (K)ein Sommernachtstraum, and the cello set I mentioned previously.

[SymphonicAddict]

This is some really really fun music, even exhilarating at times. The way Schnittke manages bizarre elements with apparently inoffensive gestures is simply superb. The use of the harpsichord was especially noticeable. Schnittke did have his sardonic and fun when it comes to more carefree expressions. Very recommended.

[Maestro267]

Another new Schnittke disc arrived this morning, with Symphony No. 4 and the Requiem on BIS. Listening to the symphony now. I love the echoing use of piano, harpsichord and celesta at the beginning. Even though it's a smaller orchestra, it still feels varied enough that I don't get bored. I helped myself to work through the symphony by adding a piece of sticky paper to the booklet with the time at which each section of the symphony begins. The whole thing is in one track, lasting 41:13, but the back of the disc has the individual sections listed, along with the length of each section.

[Mirror Image]

Another new Schnittke disc arrived this morning, with Symphony No. 4 and the Requiem on BIS. Listening to the symphony now. I love the echoing use of piano, harpsichord and celesta at the beginning. Even though it's a smaller orchestra, it still feels varied enough that I don't get bored. I helped myself to work through the symphony by adding a piece of sticky paper to the booklet with the time at which each section of the symphony begins. The whole thing is in one track, lasting 41:13, but the back of the disc has the individual sections listed, along with the length of each section.

Schnittke's 4th is a great work. It's so haunting and full of surprises. I'm not sure if you're aware of how Schnittke designed each of his symphonies, but the 1st, 3rd, 5th, 7th, and 9th (even though it was left in draft form) relate to perhaps the emotional climate he found himself in whereas the 2nd, 4th, 6th, and 8th symphonies seem to have to do with his own spirituality. Someone here brought this to my attention and I've been thinking about this for quite some time.

[Maestro267]

Fascinating. I have Nos. 0-4 now, and I can see how 2 and 4 relate to his spirituality. Schnittke is definitely one of my favourite composers currently. Listening to Peer Gynt again last Wednesday evening was a magnificent experience yet again. I'm now contemplating how to approach the later symphonies, as they remain the last ones for me to collect.

[Mirror Image]

Fascinating. I have Nos. 0-4 now, and I can see how 2 and 4 relate to his spirituality. Schnittke is definitely one of my favourite composers currently. Listening to Peer Gynt again last Wednesday evening was a magnificent experience yet again. I'm now contemplating how to approach the later symphonies, as they remain the last ones for me to collect.

The later symphonies are bleak in musical character. I'd consider his Symphony No. 5 the last of the polystylistic ones as you will notice a drastic change by the time you reach Symphony No. 6. I think of Symphonies Nos. 6 & 7 as 'graveyard reveries'. They're tough, challenging but I think they do contain several inspired moments, but the eeriness of the music will certainly affect you. Of the later symphonies, Symphony No. 8 is by far my favorite. It's Lento section lasts around 17 minutes or so and it gives the listener an intimate look into his psyche at that time. The music is sparse, fragile, and it just seems to whisper by. I think you'll find much to dig into in these later symphonies.

[Iota]

Schnittke's 4th is a great work. It's so haunting and full of surprises.

That's a good description.

FWIW, the overall impression I get from Schnittke is one of uncompromising honesty, more than any other composer I think (though Schumann hovers close), and a savage, broken mirror kind of beauty in the music.

He's only properly come on to my radar within the past decade or so, and when I first heard him I found it uncomfortable, it was almost *too* personal, something I've not really felt with any other (classical) composer. That didn't last for long though, and I find myself deeply drawn to his output and the spirit that glows behind it.
But exploring his oeuvre is still an ongoing process, with plenty of ground yet to cover, and it's very interesting to find this thread and read others' experiences.

[Mirror Image]

That's a good description.

FWIW, the overall impression I get from Schnittke is one of uncompromising honesty, more than any other composer I think (though Schumann hovers close), and a savage, broken mirror kind of beauty in the music.

He's only properly come on to my radar within the past decade or so, and when I first heard him I found it uncomfortable, it was almost *too* personal, something I've not really felt with any other (classical) composer. That didn't last for long though, and I find myself deeply drawn to his output and the spirit that glows behind it.
But exploring his oeuvre is still an ongoing process, with plenty of ground yet to cover, and it's very interesting to find this thread and read others' experiences.

It's always a good thing to read how someone is able to connect with a composer. Schnittke's music is quite personal and that's putting it mildly. As you wrote, he was so honest and honest up to the point where it's like I'm too scared to listen because it's giving me a private window into the man's experiences, failures, and heartbreaks. One thing that I do notice about his music even at it's gloomiest, there's still something positive to find in the music. It's like "I appreciate you being honest with me, Mr. Schnittke and I always enjoyed your confessionals no matter how twisted that may be." I like the broken mirror analogy --- quite apt in describing his music.

[Iota]

One thing that I do notice about his music even at it's gloomiest, there's still something positive to find in the music.

Oh indeed, when I listen to his music, I always feel better for having done so.