Alfred Schnittke (1934-1998)

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I haven't heard it in full, but listened to the youtube clip Mike Knight posted a week or so ago.  "Seid nuchtern und wachet" (Faust Cantata); VII

Very agressive, chilling work.  Voices playing off against each other was absolutely brilliant.  If that was movement seven how do the other movements measure up?  I know one shouldn't snippet listen but this totally grabbed me from the off.

Another one for the list.

Looks like all my Schnittke name-dropping paid off! Yes, Faust Cantata is a masterwork. The rest of the work is just as brilliant as that movement you like so much that sounds like, to my ears, a demonic tango. Enjoy the music!

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Thanks, John. Absolutely - what a genius! And oh definitely, I'm very keen to get as much Schnittke as possible into my collection. Definitely the symphonies, and various other discs like the one with the Faust Cantata, and then various recordings of the Requiem, Choir Concerto, concerti etc.

What Schnittke work do I listen to next, John?

You're welcome, Daniel. Have you heard all of the Concerti Grossi? All six of these are definitely worth hearing. Of course, Symphony No. 5 is actually Concerto Grosso No. 4, so if you've heard this one already, then listen to the other five when you get the chance.

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I don't own much Schnittke as such, just a cd of his cello works which I really need to dig out again.  I can't even find it on Amazon but IIRC remember Karl had the same cd???

I have had my eye on the "10 symphony" set on BIS for a while as we are getting a £50 Amazon voucher soon from work for achieving 2 years without an accident, so half of it is bookmarked for this set.  Also getting a Pizza party this Monday when we hit the two year mark.

Schnittke & Pizza sound pretty good 

This post should be in the Schnittke thread really, but I'll just say you can't go wrong with that symphony set on BIS. Also, if you have some money left over, since you liked the Faust Cantata so much, get that BIS recording of it w/ James DePreist (also contains performances of Ritual, (K)ein Sommernachtstraum, and Passacaglia). You'll love this recording.

[madaboutmahler]

Remind us Daniel, which works have you heard? Perhaps a symphony you haven't heard yet?

So far:
(K)ein Sommernachtstraum
Symphonies 1, 3, 4, 5
Choir Concerto
Requiem
Viola Concerto
Faust Cantata
Concerto Grosso 2
Clowns und Kinder/The Master and Margarita/Polyphonisher Tango

You're welcome, Daniel. Have you heard all of the Concerti Grossi? All six of these are definitely worth hearing. Of course, Symphony No. 5 is actually Concerto Grosso No. 4, so if you've heard this one already, then listen to the other five when you get the chance.

Thanks for the recommendations, John, will do!

[North Star]

So far:
(K)ein Sommernachtstraum
Symphonies 1, 3, 4, 5
Choir Concerto
Requiem
Viola Concerto
Faust Cantata
Concerto Grosso 2
Clowns und Kinder/The Master and Margarita/Polyphonisher Tango

Thanks for the recommendations, John, will do!

Symphonies Nos. 2, 6, 7 & 8, and Peer Gynt, then!

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So far:
(K)ein Sommernachtstraum
Symphonies 1, 3, 4, 5
Choir Concerto
Requiem
Viola Concerto
Faust Cantata
Concerto Grosso 2
Clowns und Kinder/The Master and Margarita/Polyphonisher Tango

Thanks for the recommendations, John, will do!

You haven't heard the Cello Concerti yet? Okay, listen to these ASAP!!!! Also listen to Sketches (ballet) and the SQs sometime. Oh, and the Piano Quintet!!!

Also, the works Karlo mentioned, listen to those too!

[AnthonyAthletic]

Looks like all my Schnittke name-dropping paid off! Yes, Faust Cantata is a masterwork. The rest of the work is just as brilliant as that movement you like so much that sounds like, to my ears, a demonic tango. Enjoy the music!

I dug out my one and only 'so far' Schnittke cd this morning before going to work, it will be ready to roll in about a half hour time.  Its been so long since hearing this cd and the various contents that it will be like hearing a new cd!!

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Epilogue from Peer Gynt, Cello Sonata No.2, Musica Nostalgica & Cello Sonata No.1

David Geringas vc, Tatjana Geringas pn

[kyjo]

Looks like all my Schnittke name-dropping paid off!

What secret tactics are you using to promote Schnittke, John? Because I don't seem to be too successful in promoting, oh, you know who........

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I dug out my one and only 'so far' Schnittke cd this morning before going to work, it will be ready to roll in about a half hour time.  Its been so long since hearing this cd and the various contents that it will be like hearing a new cd!!

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Epilogue from Peer Gynt, Cello Sonata No.2, Musica Nostalgica & Cello Sonata No.1

David Geringas vc, Tatjana Geringas pn

I haven't heard that recording, but I've seen it before. What are your impressions of the music and performances? Right now, I'm revisiting Violin Concerto No. 4. I do like this concerto a good bit, but feel indifferent to the 2nd. I need to re-listen to the 3rd. Schnittke wrote four VCs by the way. These works aren't as strong musically as the CCs, but there are some rewarding moments throughout.

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What secret tactics are you using to promote Schnittke, John? Because I don't seem to be too successful in promoting, oh, you know who........

My secret tactic is the Jedi mind trick "You will listen to Schnittke now" or "You will listen to Concerto Grosso No. 6 immediately" and that sort of thing.

[madaboutmahler]

Just listened to the 1st cello concerto........

I don't know if I'm in a fit state to write about it right now.. it has left me speechless.

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Just listened to the 1st cello concerto........

I don't know if I'm in a fit state to write about it right now.. it has left me speechless.

I figured it might, Daniel! Cello Concerto No. 1, as well as the Cello Concerto No. 2, are emotionally gripping works and dare I say some of the best cello concertante works written in the past 25 years.

I'm pretty sure you listened to the YT performance of CC No. 1, but if you're going to buy any performances of these works get the Ivashkin/Polyansky set on Chandos. You will not be sorry!

[TheGSMoeller]

I figured it might, Daniel! Cello Concerto No. 1, as well as the Cello Concerto No. 2, are emotionally gripping works and dare I say some of the best cello concertante works written in the past 25 years.

I'm pretty sure you listened to the YT performance of CC No. 1, but if you're going to buy any performances of these works get the Ivashkin/Polyansky set on Chandos. You will not be sorry!

Good idea, I think I'll listen to this myself. In fact, I'll start with Symphony No. 7, good disc all around...

[AnthonyAthletic]

I haven't heard that recording, but I've seen it before. What are your impressions of the music and performances? Right now, I'm revisiting Violin Concerto No. 4. I do like this concerto a good bit, but feel indifferent to the 2nd. I need to re-listen to the 3rd. Schnittke wrote four VCs by the way. These works aren't as strong musically as the CCs, but there are some rewarding moments throughout.

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John, I listened to the first work (twice) last night the  Epilogue from "Peer Gynt", for cello, piano & tape.  It's a marvellous work.  I am assuming the tape part is on a loop, sitting in the background whilst the cello and piano play out.  What really amazed me is the way he leads you down the melodic path with some wonderful themes then just as you think the melody is getting very lyrical and going one way he slaps you back into focus with gloomy minor change.  I am probably not describing this too well but its adoration brought back to earth with a vehement slap...all superbly done.  The tape works cajoligly in tandem with the two solo instruments.

The other works on the cd need more attention as I've only heard them a couple of times over the last year or two.  I think I rather dismissed it coldly at the time,...wrongly.  Live & Learn.

[madaboutmahler]

I figured it might, Daniel! Cello Concerto No. 1, as well as the Cello Concerto No. 2, are emotionally gripping works and dare I say some of the best cello concertante works written in the past 25 years.

I'm pretty sure you listened to the YT performance of CC No. 1, but if you're going to buy any performances of these works get the Ivashkin/Polyansky set on Chandos. You will not be sorry!

Am I right in thinking that Schnittke wrote this piece after a series of strokes? At the ending, I was thinking that he wrote how close he felt to death, but the flashes of light at the end were bringing him back.. Simply incredible piece. Had me in tears..
I think I'll listen to the 2nd cello concerto this afternoon too.

I did indeed - and OK, I shall take you recommendation! I'm not sure I can wait until Christmas to add a vast amount of Schnittke to my collection, so I might start buying soon!

[Karl Henning]

(* looks around for instruments of table-pounding *)

[AnthonyAthletic]

I did indeed - and OK, I shall take you recommendation! I'm not sure I can wait until Christmas to add a vast amount of Schnittke to my collection, so I might start buying soon!

Ha! Same here Daniel, but I might just have to wait as the Amazon Voucher for £50 from work somehow now looks like an ASDA voucher...darned ASDA don't sell Schnittke!!  Anyway, I am going to divvy up the £££'s for the Symphony set and collect on the Amazon vouchers for Christmas (that's what the family all buy me...its a kop out LOL) but it beats Socks and Deodorant and Talc in a can!!! LOL.

First recording I am putting on order is the BIS Faust Cantata this weekend...this is a must, very attracted to this work after the brief one mvt youtube hearing.

[Karl Henning]

I certainly went on a big Schnittke binge first off, I do completely understand.

[Lisztianwagner]

About the 3rd Symphony:

http://www.youtube.com/v/9RWe35YrM5E

It is an absolutely wonderful, powerfully suggestive piece, it never stopped astonishing me for all the time! Schnittke's orchestral colour and great ability of combining and transforming different harmonic styles were really gorgeous and rather impressed me in the Concerto for piano and strings, but in this symphony, that arrives on an incredible, astounding level. I absolutely loved the weaving of the first movement, how it gets more and more haunting and fiercely tragic till bursting into epic massive climaxes that suddenly shade and start in a crescendo again. The second movement Allegro is very surprising, it sounds pervaded by a morbid atmosphere, but at the same time it expresses Beethoven's poetical beauty and passionate energy (especially in the first part), merged with bachian reminiscences (harpsichord and organ), Mozart's elegance and brilliance in the charming piano motif and a picturesque straussian waltz. The Allegretto is thrilling and mesmerizing, with great percussion section; I enjoyed the finale very much, beautifully overwhelming and contemplative, it reminded me a Mahler adagio.

[madaboutmahler]

Ha! Same here Daniel, but I might just have to wait as the Amazon Voucher for £50 from work somehow now looks like an ASDA voucher...darned ASDA don't sell Schnittke!!  Anyway, I am going to divvy up the £££'s for the Symphony set and collect on the Amazon vouchers for Christmas (that's what the family all buy me...its a kop out LOL) but it beats Socks and Deodorant and Talc in a can!!! LOL.

First recording I am putting on order is the BIS Faust Cantata this weekend...this is a must, very attracted to this work after the brief one mvt youtube hearing.

hahaha!
Yes, I think that's going to be the first disc I get too, brilliant set of works. Faust Cantata is certainly overall one of my favourite Schnittke works.
If I had to give a list of my 5 favourite Schnittke works so far, it would probably have to be: Faust Cantata, 4th symphony, Viola Concerto, 1st Cello Concerto, Requiem. (+Choir Concerto!)

Very nice description of Schnittke 3, Ilaria! Great piece!

Just listened to the 2nd cello concerto.. incredible piece. What magical sounds within the finale.... Haunting and gorgeous....