Alfred Schnittke (1934-1998)

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Concerto Grosso No.1

Concerto Grosso No.2

Concerto Grosso No.3

Concerto Grosso No.4 (Symphony No.5)

Concerto Grosso No.5

Concerto Grosso No.6


Could someone give a short description of each? I currently have No.1 (Kremer;DG), and used to have Chailly's No.4 (totally forgotten). I would probably get that Chailly again given the chance...

I'm still exploring Schnittke's Concerti Grossi but the Concerto Grosso No. 4 (Symphony No. 5) is a scorching piece of music. Absolutely thrilling. The Concerto Grosso No. 2 is for violin, cello, and chamber orchestra and features a haunting last movement that sends shivers down my spine. It's actually quite beautiful.

[pencils]

Just spent the last couple of hours listening through the SQs. Happy bugger, Schnittke, huh?

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Just spent the last couple of hours listening through the SQs. Happy bugger, Schnittke, huh?

Haha. The SQs aren't all that representative of what Schnittke could do but within that context, he certainly was endearing and imaginative. I listened to these back-to-back not too long ago and enjoyed them, although they're not really the place to start exploring his music IMHO. Definitely check out all of the Concerti Grossi, at least listen to Symphonies 2-4, 8, the Requiem, Cello Concerto No. 2, Viola Concerto, Faust Cantata, Piano Quintet, In Memoriam, the film works, (K)ein Sommernachtstraum, among others.

[pencils]

Haha. The SQs aren't all that representative of what Schnittke could do but within that context, he certainly was endearing and imaginative. I listened to these back-to-back not too long ago and enjoyed them, although they're not really the place to start exploring his music IMHO. Definitely check out all of the Concerti Grossi, at least listen to Symphonies 2-4, 8, the Requiem, Cello Concerto No. 2, Viola Concerto, Faust Cantata, Piano Quintet, In Memoriam, the film works, (K)ein Sommernachtstraum, among others.

Thank you ... I am actually quite enjoying them on second listen. 2 & 4 are standing out atm. On your recommendation, I shall try the symphonies next

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Thank you ... I am actually quite enjoying them on second listen. 2 & 4 are standing out atm. On your recommendation, I shall try the symphonies next

Schnittke's symphonies aren't his 'major' works but he felt compelled to write them as he obviously felt attached to the genre, but his aren't the towering achievements that Mahler's, Shostakovich's, or RVW's are, but they're certainly enjoyable on their own terms. Listen to Symphony No. 5 (Concerto Grosso No. 4) first. This is a sizzling hot symphony.

[snyprrr]

Schnittke's symphonies aren't his 'major' works but he felt compelled to write them as he obviously felt attached to the genre, but his aren't the towering achievements that Mahler's, Shostakovich's, or RVW's are, but they're certainly enjoyable on their own terms. Listen to Symphony No. 5 (Concerto Grosso No. 4) first. This is a sizzling hot symphony.

Just spent the last couple of hours listening through the SQs. Happy bugger, Schnittke, huh?

No.1: I recall this being an early '60s, fairly short... Stravinsky-meets-Penderecki???

No.2: three contrasting movements, somewhat like Denisov,... I remember the 'agitato'.

No.3: also three movements, this is world-known as a perfect example of Post Modernism, serial work-meets-quotations that is much tamer than Crumb's 'B;acl Angels'. Still, it mingles beauty and ugliness together, on a hair-pin turn, that, still, IS pretty bitter all and all, and I find it somewhat less pleasing than Schoenberg to listen to. I have the Orlando, the dedicatees (and great cd with Yun and Keuris).

No.4: remember the AlbanBergQuartett's release (with Rihm)? My, what a dreary album, but, yes, esstential for those moments. Here Schnittke's 'Late' Style of 4-5 contrasting movements is played out for String Quartet. I listened last year and do recall quite a bit of key-sliding morbidness,... I believe the 'agitato/prestos' weren't endless, and, generally, I must rank it right along with the other Late Masterpieces. Still, it's not for anyone who doesn't like Schnittke generally,... you know.

Piano Quintet: haven't heard this in ages, but I recall it as a precursor to SQ No.3. Still, it has depth as an im memoriam to his mother, you all know it better than I right now,... I remember being sucked in by the Penguin Guide review, thinking it was going to be a DSCH Quintet, but no, it was mostly Schnittke's dark stuff which I wasn't really going for much at the time (at least the PQ). I do like the Orchestral Transcription 'In Memoriam', should revisit.

Cello Sonata (No.1): this is the piece, perhaps, that has gotten the widest circulation, from people getting DSCH, Prokofiev, and Myaskovsky cds! I admit it was the piece I liked least on my 'Russian Cello Sonatas' cd (BIS). It is in three contrasting movements in Schnittke's typical late '70s style (see SQ No.2 above)- brooding intro, explosive agitato/presto, brooding and miserable finale,... YAY!!!! Many traditionalists who buy cello cds for DSCH probably haaate the Schnittke, and, yea, it's kinda ugly. duh- Schnittke

String Trio: long and morose, I prefer the String Trio version to the Piano Trio version. Again, it has the typical hallmarks before AS's Late Style. Lots of quote-y stuff.

Violin Sonata No.2 'Quasi un Sonata': this is another 'famous' Schnittke piece, full of quotes and crags, this that and the other thing. I haven't heard the short No.3 (1994).

DSCH String Quartet piece: I forget the exact title. Frankly, I'm not sure I could handle a whole recital of the short Schnittke pieces for various chamber grouping (Gratulations... Stille... others and others). He can GET a little overbearing sometimes for me.

Piano Music: can't see me wanting to explore


In all, Schnittke is hard to love because he wanted it that way. Nobody likes a whiner, not even the devil. I mean, with the sparseness of Chamber Music, there was no harpsichord and Orchestral color, there is just SCHNITTKE, and, frankly, he can come across as quite the stereotype.

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In all, Schnittke is hard to love because he wanted it that way. Nobody likes a whiner, not even the devil. I mean, with the sparseness of Chamber Music, there was no harpsichord and Orchestral color, there is just SCHNITTKE, and, frankly, he can come across as quite the stereotype.

I adamantly disagree with this statement. Schnittke is Schnittke whether he composed for a string quartet or a full-blown orchestra. The colors are more limited in chamber music but this doesn't mean it's any less Schnittke because of this. For me and IMHO, Schnittke was a living doorway between the past, present, and the future of classical music. His style did change and got much more ominous, but nobody should think any less of his music because his outlook on life started to change. It's still Schnittke and he most certainly belongs in a category of his own.

[pencils]

No.4: remember the AlbanBergQuartett's release (with Rihm)? My, what a dreary album, but, yes, esstential for those moments. Here Schnittke's 'Late' Style of 4-5 contrasting movements is played out for String Quartet. I listened last year and do recall quite a bit of key-sliding morbidness,

Key sliding moroseness. Gloria Coates is standing up like a frantic meerkat, at the very mention.

[snyprrr]

I adamantly disagree with this statement. Schnittke is Schnittke whether he composed for a string quartet or a full-blown orchestra. The colors are more limited in chamber music but this doesn't mean it's any less Schnittke because of this. For me and IMHO, Schnittke was a living doorway between the past, present, and the future of classical music. His style did change and got much more ominous, but nobody should think any less of his music because his outlook on life started to change. It's still Schnittke and he most certainly belongs in a category of his own.

That's all I was saying : Schnittke IS Schnittke, no matter what's going on,...

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There are several performances of Requiem available, what performance is your absolute favorite? I only own one recording of the Requiem and it's with Stefan Parkman on BIS and it's an excellent performance.

One work that I wish would get recorded more is Four Hymns which was written for a chamber ensemble (cello, bassoon, harpsichord, harp, double bass, timpani, and tubular bells).

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pencils, have you listened to any more of Schnittke's music? If yes, what did you listen to and what are your impressions of the music?

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The last movements to Cello Concertos 1 & 2 will knock you out of here! Such power...

[snyprrr]

There are several performances of Requiem available, what performance is your absolute favorite? I only own one recording of the Requiem and it's with Stefan Parkman on BIS and it's an excellent performance.

One work that I wish would get recorded more is Four Hymns which was written for a chamber ensemble (cello, bassoon, harpsichord, harp, double bass, timpani, and tubular bells).

I think I heard the Caprice label,... gotta love that little 'rock' rhythm with the drums and bass!! I recall another version not being as cool here.

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I think I heard the Caprice label,... gotta love that little 'rock' rhythm with the drums and bass!! I recall another version not being as cool here.

Yeah, I've seen that Caprice recording and if I already didn't have another Requiem on the way, I would have probably bought it. Ah who am I kidding! I'm going to buy it eventually.

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Some commentary on Schnittke's (K)ein Sommernachtstaum:

http://www.youtube.com/v/uEC2goYPRQ8

[pencils]

pencils, have you listened to any more of Schnittke's music? If yes, what did you listen to and what are your impressions of the music?

I am just about to put on Symphony 6 and Concerto Grosso 2. I shall report in as ordered  0:)

I know you suggested 5 and 4, but these are on the old iPod already...

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I am just about to put on Symphony 6 and Concerto Grosso 2. I shall report in as ordered  0:)

I know you suggested 5 and 4, but these are on the old iPod already...

Please do report when you have time. Concerto Grosso No. 2 is a great work. The last movement, in particular, contains some elegiac lyricism from Schnittke.

[pencils]

pencils, have you listened to any more of Schnittke's music? If yes, what did you listen to and what are your impressions of the music?

Ok, I really quite enjoyed Symphony 6 and the Concerto Grosso 2. I did think that there were resonances of the bleakness/darkness of Pettersson in in the Symphony, which sat well with me. I am keen to explore more.

As far as the CG was concerned, I am not quite sure what to make of it, tbh. I think I may need several revisits here to decide whether I like it or not. Jazz. Christmas hymns. Snippets of Baroque pieces. Bells? Dissonant weirdness. Bloke strangling a wasp in places? The same percussion guy employed by Eduard Tubin in his Symphony 5?

Not saying I don't like it, but I may need another few sittings with the CG2, whereas the symphony was much more my thing.

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Ok, I really quite enjoyed Symphony 6 and the Concerto Grosso 2. I did think that there were resonances of the bleakness/darkness of Pettersson in in the Symphony, which sat well with me. I am keen to explore more.

As far as the CG was concerned, I am not quite sure what to make of it, tbh. I think I may need several revisits here to decide whether I like it or not. Jazz. Christmas hymns. Snippets of Baroque pieces. Bells? Dissonant weirdness. Bloke strangling a wasp in places? The same percussion guy employed by Eduard Tubin in his Symphony 5?

Not saying I don't like it, but I may need another few sittings with the CG2, whereas the symphony was much more my thing.

I'm glad you enjoyed Symphony No. 6. You've got to hear Symphony No. 8 now (since you're going into that direction with the bleakness ). Concerto Grosso No. 2 is certainly a fun work and you've described Schnittke's polystylism perfectly. Yes, I would say give a few more listens and if it still doesn't do much for you, then put it aside and revisit later. There's nothing worse than beating yourself over the head with a work that you don't care much for right now. I have found that time is a great healer in Schnittke's music because I frankly hated disliked (hate is too strong a word) this man's music for quite some time, but the aura and mystique of this composer kept me coming back and finally something just 'clicked' with me in big way. I don't really know what happened. I don't know if was just the fact that I gained more listening experience with other composers' music or what, but I'm certainly proud I never gave up on ol' Alfred. Like I said, time is a great healer and I hope the same will ring true for you. Just give him more time.

[Karl Henning]

Revisited the marvelous Psalms of Repentance last night.