Alfred Schnittke (1934-1998)

[Symphonic Addict]

It really depends on what you perceived to be wrong or not to your liking the last time you heard it?

IIRC it was too quiet for my taste. But to be honest, I prefer his instrumental works over the ones that include human voices.

[Karl Henning]

Curiously, I remember not liking the Requiem that much. Am I missing anything?

It didn't sing to me right away, I should give it another shot.

[Mirror Image]

IIRC it was too quiet for my taste. But to be honest, I prefer his instrumental works over the ones that include human voices.

The rock guitar and drum kit were too quiet for you, eh? Maybe you just haven't heard the right performance. For me, that would be Polyansky on Chandos.

[vers la flamme]

I liked the Parkman on BIS a lot but I'd be curious to check out the Polyansky as well.

So the 5th symphony/4th CG is really worth checking out, eh? That may have to be the next one I track down...

[Mirror Image]

I liked the Parkman on BIS a lot but I'd be curious to check out the Polyansky as well.

So the 5th symphony/4th CG is really worth checking out, eh? That may have to be the next one I track down...

The Polyansky had a lot more impact (if memory serves me correctly) and the purely Russian forces really brought in a whole other spiritual element that was lacking in the BIS recording.

[relm1]

I liked the Parkman on BIS a lot but I'd be curious to check out the Polyansky as well.

So the 5th symphony/4th CG is really worth checking out, eh? That may have to be the next one I track down...

I really loved the Rozhdestvensky no. 5 but I don't remember what version it was.  I found this but the cover doesn't look familiar.

https://www.amazon.com/Schnittke-Gennady-Rozhdestvensky-Academic-Orchestra/dp/B00UUK1E50

[Mirror Image]

I really loved the Rozhdestvensky no. 5 but I don't remember what version it was.  I found this but the cover doesn't look familiar.

https://www.amazon.com/Schnittke-Gennady-Rozhdestvensky-Academic-Orchestra/dp/B00UUK1E50

Chailly also has a fine version with the RCO on Decca.

[Symphonic Addict]

The rock guitar and drum kit were too quiet for you, eh? Maybe you just haven't heard the right performance. For me, that would be Polyansky on Chandos.

That is a proof I don't have strong memories of it! The Polyansky version sounds good to give it a spin.

[Symphonic Addict]

So the 5th symphony/4th CG is really worth checking out, eh?

Absolutely!! Such a coruscating work.

[Mirror Image]

That is a proof I don't have strong memories of it! The Polyansky version sounds good to give it a spin.

Whenever you get around to it, I hope you enjoy it, Cesar. Would love to know your impressions whether they've changed or you still feel the same.

[Maestro267]

Oh hello again, Schnittke thread!

Ordered the ballet Sketches. Should hopefully be here tomorrow.

[Maestro267]

[Fast forward to yesterday's "tomorrow"]

Listening to Sketches. Goodness me, this is wonderful music! Once again, I'm in awe of Schnittke's orchestration.

[Symphonic Addict]

Great to see more love for Sketches. An apparently inoffensive music with many bizarre touches. Schnittke's imagination amazes me.

[bhodges]

So the 5th symphony/4th CG is really worth checking out, eh? That may have to be the next one I track down...

Yes! Another vote for both the piece itself, and this recording with Chailly and the Concertgebouw. Not only one of my favorite Schnittke recordings, but one of my favorite recordings, period. During his time with the orchestra, Chailly did a few of the big 20th-century masterpieces (e.g., Berio Sinfonia, Messiaen Turangalîla), and this is one of the best examples from that period.

[asin]B00000E4NN[/asin]

Great to see more love for Sketches. An apparently inoffensive music with many bizarre touches. Schnittke's imagination amazes me.

And this is a work I don't know at all. Glad to have it on the radar. 

--Bruce

[Maestro267]

When I'm considering what recording to get of a work, I try and plan it so that I repeat works as little as possible. Sometimes it's unavoidable, but if I'm able to work around it, all the better. I was initially going to get the BIS Symphony No. 5/CG4, but if I bought the Chailly version mentioned above, I'd get CG3 as well. And the BIS recording of Symphony No. 9 includes CG1, meaning I don't have to repeat getting CG2 (already claimed as part of the Ivashkin cello 2-fer) as with another recording I've seen of CG1.

[bhodges]

[Fast forward to yesterday's "tomorrow"]

Listening to Sketches. Goodness me, this is wonderful music! Once again, I'm in awe of Schnittke's orchestration.

Sorry, meant to acknowledge your comments on Sketches. Though I haven't heard it yet, totally agree with you about his orchestration skills. In piece after piece, he came up with unique, arresting instrumental colors.

--Bruce

[Symphonic Addict]

Yes! Another vote for both the piece itself, and this recording with Chailly and the Concertgebouw. Not only one of my favorite Schnittke recordings, but one of my favorite recordings, period. During his time with the orchestra, Chailly did a few of the big 20th-century masterpieces (e.g., Berio Sinfonia, Messiaen Turangalîla), and this is one of the best examples from that period.

[asin]B00000E4NN[/asin]

And this is a work I don't know at all. Glad to have it on the radar. 

--Bruce

That Decca disc is stunning, possibly the best Symphony No. 5 on recording.

You might like Sketches. It's good fun.

[kyjo]

That is a proof I don't have strong memories of it! The Polyansky version sounds good to give it a spin.

Did you give the Polyansky recording a spin yet, Cesar? I'd be interested to hear if it changed your perception of the Requiem. I'd be surprised if it didn't!

[Symphonic Addict]

Did you give the Polyansky recording a spin yet, Cesar? I'd be interested to hear if it changed your perception of the Requiem. I'd be surprised if it didn't!

Not yet. I intend to do it these coming days.

[Maestro267]

Bumping for my next order of Schnittke discs, both from BIS:

Symphony No. 5/CG4 and Pianissimo
In Memoriam and Viola Concerto

I was initially going to wait for Chailly's recording of CGs 3 & 4 to become affordable, but the BIS has beaten it. And they've recorded CG3 so I can just get that without having to duplicate.