Alfred Schnittke (1934-1998)

[kyjo]

Kyle, I couldn't be all inclusive in my list to Daniel. I just gave a few works that I think he should check out. Peer Gynt isn't the best place to start with Schnittke to tell you the truth. It's such a massive work that it may scare off potential listeners on their first go with the composer. Seeing as I know Daniel plays the cello -- the cello concerti were an easy sell. Also, knowing how he loved symphonies, those symphonies I mentioned were also a good sell. Daniel would also do well to hear the Viola Concerto seeing as this is a much lauded masterpiece.

......says he who found Peer Gynt the only listenable Schnittke work a while ago! Wait, Daniel plays the cello? How did I not know this before?

[Mirror Image]

......says he who found Peer Gynt the only listenable Schnittke work a while ago! Wait, Daniel plays the cello? How did I not know this before?

Haha. Yeah, Daniel plays cello, but he's actually a pianist as I believe he won some competitions.

[North Star]

Haha. Yeah, Daniel plays cello, but he's actually a pianist as I believe he won some competitions.

And don't forget about composing & conducting! 

[madaboutmahler]

I've been telling you to listen to Schnittke for quite some time, Daniel. It's good that you've finally came over to the dark side. I love (K)ein Sommernachtstraum and the Faust Cantata, but I encourage you to listen to the cello concerti, Viola Concerto, and Symphonies 3-5 & 8. This should keep your ears busy for awhile.

I can see why! And yes, thanks for the welcome! :p Thank you for those recommendations, I shall try and listen to all in the next week! I feel like I'm going to become a hardcore Schnittken! (is there a word for a Schnittke-follower? )

Thanks guys for talking about my musical life by the way!

And, after reading a bit about it, just had to listen to the first symphony today.
http://www.youtube.com/v/fGRWyyDw9Cc
I really don't know what to say! It's just mind-blowing, awesome, incredible.... and it really does have everything! Someone should have filmed my reaction when the Beethoven 5 quote emerged.... :p The whole piece is just so thrillingly captivating, I'd happily listen to it many times! What exciting orchestration too.... imagine seeing this piece live..... or being part of a performance of it.... woww.... (hopefully one day!!)

Am just absolutely amazed by this piece, and this composer, who is so extraordinary and radical that the idea of exploring his work further really is very, very thrilling indeed. 

[Karl Henning]

(is there a word for a Schnittke-follower? )

I vote for Шниткеник (Schnittke-nik) . . . .

[TheGSMoeller]

Hi, Daniel, long time! 

Checkout Schnittke's Choir Concerto, it's spellbinding,  stands right next to Poulenc's Figure Humaine and Rach's Vespers as one of the greatest pieces for choir from the 20th Century.

[kyjo]

Haha. Yeah, Daniel plays cello, but he's actually a pianist as I believe he won some competitions.

Very cool! I like this Daniel fellow! BTW Daniel, I play cello and piano also, though I haven't won any competitions like you have. I'd be interested to hear more about your musical life, but in another thread, of course.

[North Star]

Very cool! I like this Daniel fellow! BTW Daniel, I play cello and piano also, though I haven't won any competitions like you have. I'd be interested to hear more about your musical life, but in another thread, of course.

See here

[kyjo]

See here

Kudos, Karlo!

[Mirror Image]

I can see why! And yes, thanks for the welcome! :p Thank you for those recommendations, I shall try and listen to all in the next week! I feel like I'm going to become a hardcore Schnittken! (is there a word for a Schnittke-follower? )

Thanks guys for talking about my musical life by the way!

And, after reading a bit about it, just had to listen to the first symphony today.
http://www.youtube.com/v/fGRWyyDw9Cc
I really don't know what to say! It's just mind-blowing, awesome, incredible.... and it really does have everything! Someone should have filmed my reaction when the Beethoven 5 quote emerged.... :p The whole piece is just so thrillingly captivating, I'd happily listen to it many times! What exciting orchestration too.... imagine seeing this piece live..... or being part of a performance of it.... woww.... (hopefully one day!!)

Am just absolutely amazed by this piece, and this composer, who is so extraordinary and radical that the idea of exploring his work further really is very, very thrilling indeed. 

Excellent, Daniel! I, too, am a hardcore Schnittkian, though my own listening journey was quite different than your own. I had to really work at his music initially but it really paid off as I think he was absolutely brilliant. Enjoy the music! Also, please keep your comments coming! I always enjoy seeing someone so enthusiastic about this music.

His Symphony No. 1 is a hoot! Great fun indeed.

[madaboutmahler]

I vote for Шниткеник (Schnittke-nik) . . . .

I like that!

Hi, Daniel, long time! 

Checkout Schnittke's Choir Concerto, it's spellbinding,  stands right next to Poulenc's Figure Humaine and Rach's Vespers as one of the greatest pieces for choir from the 20th Century.

Indeed! Hope you have been well? Will check out that concerto, thanks for the recommendation, sounds very exciting!

Very cool! I like this Daniel fellow! BTW Daniel, I play cello and piano also, though I haven't won any competitions like you have. I'd be interested to hear more about your musical life, but in another thread, of course.

Thanks! And what good choice of instruments you made :p Would be good to have a conversation sometime.

Excellent, Daniel! I, too, am a hardcore Schnittkian, though my own listening journey was quite different than your own. I had to really work at his music initially but it really paid off as I think he was absolutely brilliant. Enjoy the music! Also, please keep your comments coming! I always enjoy seeing someone so enthusiastic about this music.

His Symphony No. 1 is a hoot! Great fun indeed.

Thanks, John! That's interesting, I was just instantly engaged by the sound worlds, and eccentric nature.. it's all so thrilling! Thanks! I will be listening to all of your recommendations this week, and will post comments!

Indeed - so full of surprises! Will listen again this week I think! Does anyone have a list of the orchestration for this symphony by the way?

[Mirror Image]

Thanks, John! That's interesting, I was just instantly engaged by the sound worlds, and eccentric nature.. it's all so thrilling! Thanks! I will be listening to all of your recommendations this week, and will post comments!

Indeed - so full of surprises! Will listen again this week I think! Does anyone have a list of the orchestration for this symphony by the way?

Aside from Shostakovich and Hartmann, Schnittke's music is some of the most intense I've ever heard. I really feel for the orchestra musicians who perform his music. This music has to be incredibly difficult to perform well. I can only imagine what a work like Viola Concerto demands of the soloist. Also, in addition to the orchestral music I suggested, check out some of his chamber music like Piano Quintet, Cello Sonatas No. 1 & 2, and the String Trio. Enjoy!

Also, according to Boosey & Hawkes, the orchestration for Symphony No. 1 is 4.4.4.3sax.4-4.4.4.1-timp.perc:xyl/vib/marimbaphone/jingles/glsp- 2harps-cel-hpcd-pft-organ-bass gtr-strings [12.12.8.8.8].

http://www.boosey.com/cr/music/Alfred-Schnittke-Symphony-No-1/453

[lescamil]

Also, according to Boosey & Hawkes, the orchestration for Symphony No. 1 is 4.4.4.3sax.4-4.4.4.1-timp.perc:xyl/vib/marimbaphone/jingles/glsp- 2harps-cel-hpcd-pft-organ-bass gtr-strings [12.12.8.8.8].

http://www.boosey.com/cr/music/Alfred-Schnittke-Symphony-No-1/453

According to Boosey, it will be performed on October 30 in the Royal Festival Hall in London with Jurowski and the LPO. I hope this means that  the BBC will broadcast it! Any coincidence that it will be performed so close to Halloween?

EDIT: And here is the info. That's a hell of a program I would kill to see.

http://www.southbankcentre.co.uk/whatson/london-philharmonic-orchestra-71256?dt=2013-10-30

[madaboutmahler]

The Viola Concerto was such a gorgeous, moving piece. The lyrical ideas had such a subtle profundity, which was just absolutely beautiful. Simply incredible music, am listening through again now. Amazing.

Aside from Shostakovich and Hartmann, Schnittke's music is some of the most intense I've ever heard. I really feel for the orchestra musicians who perform his music. This music has to be incredibly difficult to perform well. I can only imagine what a work like Viola Concerto demands of the soloist. Also, in addition to the orchestral music I suggested, check out some of his chamber music like Piano Quintet, Cello Sonatas No. 1 & 2, and the String Trio. Enjoy!

Also, according to Boosey & Hawkes, the orchestration for Symphony No. 1 is 4.4.4.3sax.4-4.4.4.1-timp.perc:xyl/vib/marimbaphone/jingles/glsp- 2harps-cel-hpcd-pft-organ-bass gtr-strings [12.12.8.8.8].

http://www.boosey.com/cr/music/Alfred-Schnittke-Symphony-No-1/453

Fantastic! And certainly.... I'd love to be in an orchestra for a Schnittke piece. Imagine being in the percussion section for a piece like the 1st symphony....!  Thank you for all of your recommendations, and for posting the orchestration of the first symphony! Massive, as I thought!

I can sense Schnittke easily becoming one of my favourite composers!

According to Boosey, it will be performed on October 30 in the Royal Festival Hall in London with Jurowski and the LPO. I hope this means that  the BBC will broadcast it! Any coincidence that it will be performed so close to Halloween?

EDIT: And here is the info. That's a hell of a program I would kill to see.

http://www.southbankcentre.co.uk/whatson/london-philharmonic-orchestra-71256?dt=2013-10-30

WOW WOW WOW WOW!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I think that I will have to book this! Far too awesome a programme to miss....

[Mirror Image]

Daniel, you're putting a big smile on my face with your Schnittke comments. Remember I told you several months to explore this composer? I'm glad you finally took the plunge with some well-intentioned assistance of course. I figured you would be impressed with Schnittke considering how he has that dark Shostakovian/Mahlerian pathos going on in his music. It is these seemingly different sides of his persona that give his music an enigmatic quality. He was also a deeply spiritual individual who always looked for that elevated path --- if this makes any sense.

[Karl Henning]

The Viola Concerto was such a gorgeous, moving piece. The lyrical ideas had such a subtle profundity, which was just absolutely beautiful. Simply incredible music, am listening through again now. Amazing.

Fantastic! And certainly.... I'd love to be in an orchestra for a Schnittke piece. Imagine being in the percussion section for a piece like the 1st symphony....!  Thank you for all of your recommendations, and for posting the orchestration of the first symphony! Massive, as I thought!

I can sense Schnittke easily becoming one of my favourite composers!
WOW WOW WOW WOW!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I think that I will have to book this! Far too awesome a programme to miss....

Delighted to read this post, Daniel. 

[kyjo]

Daniel's and John's enthusiasm for Schnittke's music has me thinking a Schnittke marathon is right around the corner for me......

[Mirror Image]

Daniel's and John's enthusiasm for Schnittke's music has me thinking a Schnittke marathon is right around the corner for me......

I always have a Schnittke phase peeking around the corner.

[Mirror Image]

According to Boosey, it will be performed on October 30 in the Royal Festival Hall in London with Jurowski and the LPO. I hope this means that  the BBC will broadcast it! Any coincidence that it will be performed so close to Halloween?

EDIT: And here is the info. That's a hell of a program I would kill to see.

http://www.southbankcentre.co.uk/whatson/london-philharmonic-orchestra-71256?dt=2013-10-30

Thanks for posting this! I'm always jealous of Londoners because of their close proximity to so much great music-making.

[Mirror Image]

I wonder how our young adventurer Daniel is getting on with Schnittke? Have you listened to Symphony No. 4 yet? If not, here you go:

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