Alfred Schnittke (1934-1998)

[madaboutmahler]

Delighted to read this post, Daniel. 

Glad to hear! Have been going on about the viola concerto to my friends all day! And listened to my favourite excerpt multiple times on arriving back from school!

i]Symphony No. 4[/i] yet? If not, here you go:

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

I happen to be listening to it just now, around 10 minutes from the end! Amazing piece, so haunting and fascinating... The orchestration really is out of this world as well. The use of the harpsichord is so extraordinary! And I love the use of voices here, how they echo the renaissance so much, sounding so distant, against pedals through the orchestra.. gorgeous..

I reckon I will listen to the Choir Concerto next?

[madaboutmahler]

And just wow to the tubular bell solos that follow.... this is one of the most mesmerising things I have heard recently.. gorgeous, yet so haunting, with the consistent dark gong sounds and pedals in the strings.

WOWWWWW to that ending, simply WOWW.

[Mirror Image]

Glad you enjoyed it Daniel! Yeah, Symphony No. 4 is a mesmerizing piece of music.

Now, for something much more intense for you:

http://www.youtube.com/v/C-2U0kq6z6s

[madaboutmahler]

Glad you enjoyed it Daniel! Yeah, Symphony No. 4 is a mesmerizing piece of music.

Now, for something much more intense for you:

http://www.youtube.com/v/C-2U0kq6z6s

Something more intense than the 4th symphony? Wow! :p

Just finished it now, and wow, that was a fantastic piece. Absolutely loved it. Constantly being amazed by this composer, and so excited to continue exploring..! What I hear in Schnittke's music is an extraordinary sense of musical realism, of an artist's life.... especially in that context. But, there are places with glimpses of light, like the lyrical part of the second movement of the viola concerto, or perhaps evening towards the end of this symphony, Schnittke's optimism peaking through the realism, but realism always seems to win in the end.....

His music is having a massive effect on me.

[Mirror Image]

Liked reading your description, Daniel. Yes, Schnittke's music is so personal. It's as if he's writing with his own blood. His DNA is in everything he composed.

Listen to this when you have time:

http://www.youtube.com/v/7O5Fw72NdQc

The video is split up into three parts, so be sure to listen to them all. Enjoy!

[snyprrr]

Something more intense than the 4th symphony? Wow! :p

Just finished it now, and wow, that was a fantastic piece. Absolutely loved it. Constantly being amazed by this composer, and so excited to continue exploring..! What I hear in Schnittke's music is an extraordinary sense of musical realism, of an artist's life.... especially in that context. But, there are places with glimpses of light, like the lyrical part of the second movement of the viola concerto, or perhaps evening towards the end of this symphony, Schnittke's optimism peaking through the realism, but realism always seems to win in the end.....

His music is having a massive effect on me.

Let us guide you through, though, so you don't... well, you're at Symphonies 4-5? Symphony No.1 is the kitchen sink, maybe too much? No.8 you can save for dessert... do you want?... let John do it haha

[Mirror Image]

I would say listen to Requiem first, Daniel! Save Symphony No. 8 for later. Trust me there's just so much great music that awaits you.

http://www.youtube.com/v/M9UiT_KOE-s

Like that video of Concerto Grosso No. 2 I posted, this video is split up into three videos, so be sure to listen to all of them. Enjoy the music my fellow Schnittkian!

[madaboutmahler]

Liked reading your description, Daniel. Yes, Schnittke's music is so personal. It's as if he's writing with his own blood. His DNA is in everything he composed.

Listen to this when you have time:

http://www.youtube.com/v/7O5Fw72NdQc

The video is split up into three parts, so be sure to listen to them all. Enjoy!

Thank you, John! Indeed - the realism of it is incredible.

Just finished listening to the Concerto Grosso no.2 that you suggested, what an amazing, beautiful, haunting piece.... And we get festive Schnittke as well!  Seriously, that reworking of the 'Silent Night' melody in the last movement was just gorgeous.... Such incredible orchestration and sound worlds. Great piece, Schnittke is definitely in my top 10 now....

Let us guide you through, though, so you don't... well, you're at Symphonies 4-5? Symphony No.1 is the kitchen sink, maybe too much? No.8 you can save for dessert... do you want?... let John do it haha

Oh, the first symphony was actually one of the first Schnittke pieces I heard! Loved it! Magnificent piece. Definitely going to see it live later this year....

So, Faust Cantata or Requiem next?

[madaboutmahler]

And while waiting for your response to that, some awesome Schnittke film music:

http://www.youtube.com/v/AKuMJL1qdnw

Plus the Polyphonic Tango which is just brilliant! 

The man could write anything!!

[Mirror Image]

Thank you, John! Indeed - the realism of it is incredible.

Just finished listening to the Concerto Grosso no.2 that you suggested, what an amazing, beautiful, haunting piece.... And we get festive Schnittke as well!  Seriously, that reworking of the 'Silent Night' melody in the last movement was just gorgeous.... Such incredible orchestration and sound worlds. Great piece, Schnittke is definitely in my top 10 now....

Oh, the first symphony was actually one of the first Schnittke pieces I heard! Loved it! Magnificent piece. Definitely going to see it live later this year....

So, Faust Cantata or Requiem next?

I'm happy to hear you enjoyed Concerto Grosso No. 2. It is, indeed, a fine work as are all six of Schnittke's Concerti Grossi. I would definitely listen to the Requiem next and save Faust Cantata for later. I would also check out his massive ballet Peer Gynt when you have time:

http://www.youtube.com/v/9k4Uu7S5t30

[madaboutmahler]

I would say listen to Requiem first, Daniel! Save Symphony No. 8 for later. Trust me there's just so much great music that awaits you.

http://www.youtube.com/v/M9UiT_KOE-s

WOW. I listened to this work outside in the dark, watching the night sky, and have to say that it's quite an emotionally transforming piece.... Such haunting beauty. The Lacrymosa, Sanctus and final Requiem were just so mystically gorgeous. After a work like that, all I can say, considering my mind is in such a state of awe, is that Schnittke is definitely one of my favourites now. The man was an utter genius, with such a beautiful sense of reality and humanity to his music..... incredible.....

Thank you to all who introduced me to this composer, I am eternally grateful. So excited to hear even more!

Shall set aside an afternoon for Peer Gynt next weekend, John! But Faust Cantata next? Or something else?

[Mirror Image]

WOW. I listened to this work outside in the dark, watching the night sky, and have to say that it's quite an emotionally transforming piece.... Such haunting beauty. The Lacrymosa, Sanctus and final Requiem were just so mystically gorgeous. After a work like that, all I can say, considering my mind is in such a state of awe, is that Schnittke is definitely one of my favourites now. The man was an utter genius, with such a beautiful sense of reality and humanity to his music..... incredible.....

Thank you to all who introduced me to this composer, I am eternally grateful. So excited to hear even more!

Shall set aside an afternoon for Peer Gynt next weekend, John! But Faust Cantata next? Or something else?

Sounds like a wonderful setting for the Requiem. I'm proud that you've taken such an affinity with his music. As I told you before, my personal journey with the composer was anything but celebratory, but, in time, he has proven to be one of my absolute favorite composers and I'm sure there are going to be more works where your enthusiasm will blow straight through the roof. Happy listening!

[mahler10th]

WOW. I listened to this work outside in the dark, watching the night sky, and have to say that it's quite an emotionally transforming piece.... Such haunting beauty.

Aye, his Concerto Grosso is making me 'see things'. 
I love that you listened to the Requiem in the dark watching the sky.  Fabulous.  For the sake of it, I will sit by my bedroom window in the dark looking at the Hawthorn tree outside the window and the stars beyond whilst listening to it.  If it can do that for you, then I will follow your precedent somewhat and see how I like it.
Of course, I'll do that a wee bit later on...

(Cue Twilight Zone music...)

[TheGSMoeller]

Or something else?

Ummmm...Choir Concerto.  Especially if you enjoyed the Requiem, then you know how wonderfully Schnittke can compose for voice.

Here's the 4th movement: Complete This Work Which I Began, this performance is a little slower than I prefer, but it's still divine, and the harmonies are well in tact.

http://www.youtube.com/v/ykuF8h7sFwI

[North Star]

Ummmm...Choir Concerto.  Especially if you enjoyed the Requiem, then you know how wonderfully Schnittke can compose for voice.

Here's the 4th movement: Complete This Work Which I Began, this performance is a little slower than I prefer, but it's still divine, and the harmonies are well in tact.

http://www.youtube.com/v/ykuF8h7sFwI

What do you think of the Kaljuste recording, Greg? (on BIS) That's on Youtube, too:

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

[TheGSMoeller]

I would like to add this to the thread...


http://www.youtube.com/v/l3e25kvBF0o

[TheGSMoeller]

What do you think of the Kaljuste recording, Greg? (on BIS) That's on Youtube, too:

Haven't listened to it in its entirety yet, but have been meaning to. What do you think about it?

These are the ones I really enjoy...



...also with a nod to the Holst Singers, who do an excellent job.

[North Star]

Haven't listened to it in its entirety yet, but have been meaning to. What do you think about it?

These are the ones I really enjoy...



...also with a nod to the Holst Singers, who do an excellent job.

Well, I have only heard a bit from it so far, and it's my first time listening to the piece.. No complaints so far. 

[Mirror Image]

I'm extremely grateful for the BIS and Chandos series of Schnittke, but I wish some other enterprising label would put out another series of orchestral and chamber music. As I mentioned in a post somewhere on the 'listening to now' thread, I would love to hear a label like Hyperion get some of their top-notch musicians together and record Hymns. This is a chamber ensemble work for bassoon, cello, double bass, harpsichord, harp, timpani, and tubular bells. I'm satisfied with the BIS performance, but I could imagine even greater liberties being taken with the music.

http://www.youtube.com/v/4jb6_wsz_p0

http://www.youtube.com/v/wPep6DAQrCI

[snyprrr]

I first knew Schnittke through the first Cello Sonata (always paired with DSCH), and, certainly at the time I didn't care for it. It's somewhat gnomic, no? Anyone a really big fan? I must have 4 recordings just because of the pairings. Maybe I thought bitterness didn't make for good music? The Cello Sonata No.2 is classically in Schnittke's late style.

As an 'heir' to DSCH, I was certainly expecting Russian Melodies from Schnittke, nut, no, he's none more black.