Alfred Schnittke (1934-1998)

[Lisztianwagner]

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

Thank you! Yes, it's a gorgeous work indeed.

[kyjo]

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.

Yes, the ending (especially) left me speechless indeed.

[Mirror Image]

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

Indeed, Greg. Enjoy!

[Mirror Image]

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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.

I think this 'slap in the face' after a melodic episode is precisely why I enjoy his music so much. He doesn't sugarcoat his feelings and I think he believes that the harshness of the reality we live in must be felt in everyday music, because if it's not, then he's pretending to be something he simply is not. From what I have read so far, he was a humble, down-to-earth man with a general concern for others. This, too, shows in his music. I'm also thinking that sometimes we don't want to hear what someone really thinks, because there are times when we're just not attuned to or want to be subjected to that kind of honesty. The way I feel about it is if you don't really want to know how someone feels, then simply don't ask them. I was one of those guilty ones who dismissed Schnittke's music and I seriously regret saying these negative things now, because turned out to be, like so many composers I've struggled, one of my most beloved composers. Like you said, live and learn.

Not everything by Schnittke grabs me, but there's so much of it that does and anything that I feel indifferent towards is my own failing as a listener and certainly not the composer's fault. All of this said, I'm happy to hear you're enjoying his music now and I look forward to hopefully reading more of your commentary.

[Mirror Image]

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.

Wonderful description, Ilaria. This work is very much a 'Germanic time capsule'. It's look into this history of Germanic music but from the different angles of a fun house mirror and maybe a better analogy would be this work, like so many of Schnittke's other works, could be viewed as a 3D card --- the music completely changes depended on what angle it's tilted. Glad you enjoyed this mesmerizing work.

[Mirror Image]

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!

Yes, I believe he was almost completed with Cello Concerto No. 1 and had a stroke, but came back to the work and finished the finale. That final movement is life-affirming no question about it. This work also marks a change in direction for his music not too much longer after it's completion. His music became more introspective and is very much haunted by death. This would be his third and final musical phase.

A few recommendations of mine and please note they will vary with each listener:

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[asin]B002UPQEL2[/asin]

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[asin]B000092R5A[/asin]

[asin]B0000AWDDA[/asin]

I tried to avoid any duplicates and OOP recordings in my recommendations but the Viola Concerto performance with Bashmet/Rostropovich is OOP, but this one with Bashmet/Rozhdestvensky is a smoking performance as well. I have own, and have heard, both numerous times. They're both worth owning. I don't think you'll be disappointed either way you go here. Also, there are several other fine performances of Choir Concerto and Requiem available, but this Scandinavian Classics recording is an easy way to get both works under the same roof. It also helps that these are very fine performances.

Enjoy the music my fellow Schnittkian!

[madaboutmahler]

Yes, I believe he was almost completed with Cello Concerto No. 1 and had a stroke, but came back to the work and finished the finale. That final movement is life-affirming no question about it. This work always marks a change in direction for his music not too much longer after it's completion. His music became more introspective and is very much haunted by death. This would be his third and final musical phase.

A few recommendations of mine and please note they will vary with each listener:

I tried to avoid any duplicates and OOP recordings in my recommendations but the Viola Concerto performance with Bashmet/Rostropovich is OOP, but this one with Bashmet/Rozhdestvensky is a smoking performance as well. I have own, and have heard, both numerous times. They're both worth owning. I don't think you'll be disappointed either way you go here. Also, there are several other fine performances of Choir Concerto and Requiem available, but this Scandinavian Classics recording is an easy way to get both works under the same roof. It also helps that these are very fine performances.

Enjoy the music my fellow Schnittkian!

Interesting - well, you can certainly hear those thoughts depicted in the finale of the concerto. Mesmerizing music.

Thanks for the list of recommendations, I have my eye on each of those and shall definitely start buying soon!

Just listened to the Piano Quintet for the first time, the first non-orchestral Schnittke I have heard, and what an excellent piece it is. The final movement was gorgeous - Schnittke's treatment in the delicacy of the repetition of that simple, diatonic piano ostinato was genius..  Stunning.

[not edward]

Just a reminder that you can hear Michail Jurowski conducting the LPO in Schnittke's 1st symphony for the next five days on the BBC Radio 3 site:

http://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/episode/b03f8c83/Radio_3_Live_in_Concert_LPO_Ligeti_Lutoslawski_Schnittke/

[lescamil]

If anyone is interested, I have converted that to MP3 256 for anyone that wants to keep it past that date. Just let me know. I've kept all the commentary, also. Michail Jurowski's introductions (in broken English) are quite informative, too!

[Mirror Image]

Interesting - well, you can certainly hear those thoughts depicted in the finale of the concerto. Mesmerizing music.

Thanks for the list of recommendations, I have my eye on each of those and shall definitely start buying soon!

Just listened to the Piano Quintet for the first time, the first non-orchestral Schnittke I have heard, and what an excellent piece it is. The final movement was gorgeous - Schnittke's treatment in the delicacy of the repetition of that simple, diatonic piano ostinato was genius..  Stunning.

Agree with you 100% about the Piano Quintet. A fine work indeed, Daniel. Listen to this next:

http://www.youtube.com/v/YcBljha30eQ

This is Hymn No. 4 from his work for chamber ensemble titled Hymns which is written for bassoon, cello, double bass, harpsichord, harp, timpani, and tubular bells.

[ibanezmonster]

http://www.youtube.com/v/VGc-Tu_1yGw
Good stuff here. Thanks to youtube now, I think there will still be plenty of Schnittke discoveries for me.

[Mirror Image]

http://www.youtube.com/v/VGc-Tu_1yGw
Good stuff here. Thanks to youtube now, I think there will still be plenty of Schnittke discoveries for me.

Yep, a stunning work for sure. There's a lot of Schnittke on YT fortunately. Of course, once you become a Schnittkian, you will have acquired the recordings.

[ibanezmonster]

Yep, a stunning work for sure. There's a lot of Schnittke on YT fortunately. Of course, once you become a Schnittkian, you will have acquired the recordings.

I ended up listening to the rest of the Choir Concerto and it was definitely the best a cappella choir work I've heard.
Pretty much I'll probably be discovering some lesser known Schnittke works and revisiting some more probably, since I've already heard all of his major works.

[Mirror Image]

I ended up listening to the rest of the Choir Concerto and it was definitely the best a cappella choir work I've heard.
Pretty much I'll probably be discovering some lesser known Schnittke works and revisiting some more probably, since I've already heard all of his major works.

Sounds good, Greg. If you would like, please post your thoughts and/or what you'll be listening to, so I can pound some tables.

[ibanezmonster]

Sounds good, Greg. If you would like, please post your thoughts and/or what you'll be listening to, so I can pound some tables.

Actually, now that I think about it, there are still some of his main works which I either never listened to or forgot if I did.

Just finished the Viola Concerto.

http://www.youtube.com/v/L4CDD2w5E0I


Good lawd. What a genius madman. Love it and can't wait to listen again.

*karate chops table*

[Mirror Image]

Actually, now that I think about it, there are still some of his main works which I either never listened to or forgot if I did.

Just finished the Viola Concerto.

http://www.youtube.com/v/L4CDD2w5E0I


Good lawd. What a genius madman. Love it and can't wait to listen again.

*karate chops table*

Couldn't agree more!

*sledge hammers the table*

[kyjo]

*sledge hammers the table*

.....must be a result of your listening to Mahler 6!

[Mirror Image]

.....must be a result of your listening to Mahler 6!

Bingo!

[madaboutmahler]

Agree with you 100% about the Piano Quintet. A fine work indeed, Daniel. Listen to this next:

http://www.youtube.com/v/YcBljha30eQ

This is Hymn No. 4 from his work for chamber ensemble titled Hymns which is written for bassoon, cello, double bass, harpsichord, harp, timpani, and tubular bells.

Well, that was brilliant! Enjoyed it very much!

Now enjoying this very cunning work:
http://www.youtube.com/v/3S7q9sXMw9s

Fantastic writing, love the sneaky DSCH motif and Le Sacre quotes

[snyprrr]

  >:DJust to let you know I've been obsessing about Schnittke since this Thread went nucluler!

...but no money...

Especially that Erato disc with the Piano Concerto- in the original cover...


btw- there was one newish Piano Concerto that clocked in at almost 28mins.!